His lineage: He is Abu Zakariya Yahya bin Sharaf an-Nawaawi, bin Murry, bin Hasan, bin Husayn, bin Muhammad, bin Jumah bin Hazam. His famous name An-Nawaawi was derived from his place of birth, a village called Nawa south of Damascus in Syria. He was born in 631 A.H He was nicknamed "Muhyyideen"- meaning the one who gives life to the religion.- though he himself disliked the name since the truth is, the religion of Islaam is in no need of anyone to give it life.
Allaah the Most Exalted had perfected His light and His religion. He came from a modest family who were not known for producing great scholars. His father was reputed to be very pious and he had a garden in which he would grow food for his family. He would avoid, and taught his family to avoid eating anything that is forbidden even though little. His search for Knowledge. At an early age, his father enrolled him in the Saaramiya school of Damascus.
Imaam Nawaawi had endless thirst for knowledge and it was seen in his daily practice of studies. He used to read twelve lessons daily and write commentaries and explanations of every lesson and make additions where necessary. His intelligence, hard work, devotion, and concentration in his studies amazed his teachers and they loved him because of that. His books. The learned Imaam wrote many books on different subjects.
Each one of his treatise is a masterpiece and treasure of knowledge and the scholars and others among the generality of the people continue to benefit from them up till today. Some of his prestigious works include: Commentary on Saheeh al-Bukhari, al Minhaj fi Sharh saheeh Muslim, Riyadus-Saaliheen, Kitab-ur- Rawdah, Tahdhib-ul-Asma wassiffat, Kitabul adhkaar, Ar-baeen, at- Taqreeb fi il mil- hadith wallrshad fihi, Sharh sunan Abu Dawood, Muqtasar at- Tirmidhi, al- Khulasatu fiI hadith and several others.
What the scholars say about him. Shaykh Yasin bin Yusuf Marakashi said: "I saw Imaam Nawaawi at Nawa when he was a youth of ten years of age. Other boys of his age used to force him to play with them, but he would always avoid the play and would remain busy with the recitation of the Noble Quraan.
When they tried to domineer and insist on his joining them, he bewailed and expressed his lack of concern over their foolish actions." Muhammad al-Hajar said: "He restrained his soul from the glitters of the world, fasted during the day and prayed during the night. He forsook the high positions of leadership in the world.
He lived the life of the great ones that were humble and died the death of the fortunate one among the scholars." One of his students, Ibn ai-Attar said he that he saw many amazing things from an-Nawaawi that if he were to write about all of them, it would fill volumes.
His death: After his sojourn abroad, Imaam an- Nawaawi finally returned home. However, shortly after his return, he fell sick and died on the 24th of Rajab in the year 676 A.H. He was 44 years. May Allaah reward him and forgive him his shortcoming and grant him paradise. (Amin) By Allaahs mercy and His grace, his accomplishments during his short life span were equal to or greater than many who lived even twice his age.
This article was culled from the publications of Deen Communication Limited