View source for Religion:Fath al-Mulhim bi-Sharh Sahih al-Imam Muslim

{{Short description|Book by Shabbir Ahmad Usmani}}
{{Infobox book
| name              = Fath al-Mulhim bi-Sharh Sahih al-Imam Muslim
| image             = Cover of Fath al-Mulhim bi-Sharh Sahih al-Imam Muslim.jpg
| caption           = Arabic cover
| author            = Shabbir Ahmad Usmani
| title_orig        = فتح الملهم بشرح صحيح الإمام مسلم
| orig_lang_code    = ar
| country           = British India
| language          = Arabic
| subject           = ''[[Religion:Sahih Muslim|Sahih Muslim]]''
| genre             = Commentary
| media_type        = Print
| oclc              = 52831250
| dewey             = 297.125
| published         = 1933 – 1939
| followed_by_quotation_marks = 
| followed_by       = [[Religion:Takmilah Fath al-Mulhim bi-Sharh Sahih al-Imam Muslim|Takmilah Fath al-Mulhim bi-Sharh Sahih al-Imam Muslim]]
}}
'''''Fath al-Mulhim bi-Sharh Sahih al-Imam Muslim''''' ({{lang-ar|فتح الملهم بشرح صحيح الإمام مسلم}}) is a three-volume Arabic commentary on ''[[Religion:Sahih Muslim|Sahih Muslim]]'', written by Shabbir Ahmad Usmani before 1916. Usmani commenced the writing of the book in 1914 due to the absence of commentaries on ''Sahih Muslim'', unlike ''[[Religion:Sahih al-Bukhari|Sahih al-Bukhari]]'', which had commentaries according to the Hanafi school. He dedicated himself to bridging this gap and continued his work until his demise.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Mermertaş |first=Yusuf Ziya |date=2018 |title=Şebbir Ahmet Osmânî'nin Hayatı, Fethü'l-Mülhim Adlı Eserindeki Şerh Metodu ve Ele Aldığı Temel Konular |url=https://dergipark.org.tr/en/pub/hadith/issue/41959/497718 |journal=HADITH |language=tr |issue=1 |pages=88–111 |issn=2667-5455 |access-date=7 June 2023 |archive-date=16 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221016030918/https://dergipark.org.tr/en/pub/hadith/issue/41959/497718 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Ahatli |first1=Erdinç |last2=Haq |first2=İnam Ul |date=2018 |title=ŞEBBÎR AHMED OSMÂNÎ VE "FETHU'L-MÜLHİM Bİ-ŞERHİ SAHÎHİ'L-İMÂM MÜSLİM" ADLI ESERİ |url=https://dergipark.org.tr/en/pub/sakaifd/issue/37577/417644 |journal=Sakarya Üniversitesi İlahiyat Fakültesi Dergisi |language=tr |volume=20 |issue=37 |pages=21 |doi=10.17335/sakaifd.417644 |s2cid=188310318 |issn=2146-9806 |access-date=7 June 2023 |archive-date=15 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221015150819/https://dergipark.org.tr/en/pub/sakaifd/issue/37577/417644 |url-status=live |doi-access=free }}</ref> He was only able to complete three volumes of the book before his passing. The first and second volumes were published in 1933 and 1935 respectively, while the third volume was published in 1939.<ref>{{Cite thesis |last=Laskar |first=Md Fazlur Rahman |title=Life and works of Allama Shabbir Ahmed Uthmani |publisher=Department of Arabic, Gauhati University |year=1998 |location=India |pages=175 |language=en |degree=PhD |hdl=10603/67545}}</ref> Taqi Usmani later took up the task of completing the remaining portions of the book in 1976, ultimately finishing it in 1994 in six volumes known as ''[[Religion:Takmilah Fath al-Mulhim bi-Sharh Sahih al-Imam Muslim|Takmilah Fath al-Mulhim bi-Sharh Sahih al-Imam Muslim]]''.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Huma |first=Zilli |date=2019 |title=Interpretation of the leading books and compositions of Mufti Muhammad Taqi Usmani |url=https://rahatulquloob.com/index.php/rahat/article/view/66 |journal=Rahat-ul-Quloob |language=en |volume=3 |issue=1 |pages=201 |doi=10.51411/rahat.3.1.2019.66 |s2cid=242290175 |issn=2521-2869 |access-date=7 June 2023 |archive-date=25 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221125093705/http://rahatulquloob.com/index.php/rahat/article/view/66 |url-status=live |doi-access=free }}</ref>

== Methodology ==
The book is known for its detailed analysis of Hadith and its scientific principles. It begins with a lengthy introductory chapter of 108 pages, where Usmani discusses the rules of Hadith, its sciences, and the uniqueness of ''Sahih Muslim''. He also explores the different types of traditions, qualities of narrators, and the compilation of [[Religion:Hadith|Hadith]], among other related topics. Additionally, Usmani addresses challenging aspects of Hadith, such as the existence and virtues of [[Religion:Allah|Allah]], the activities of other deities, and their realities. He includes the best and selected comments of experts on each issue and presents his own views supported by various proofs.{{Sfn|Laskar|1998|p=158}}<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Huma |first=Zilli |date=2019 |title=Fath al-Mulhim Sharah Sahi Muslim- Pattern And Style |url=https://jihat-ul-islam.com.pk/journal/index.php/jihat-ul-islam/article/view/88 |journal=Jihat Ul Islam |language=en |volume=12 |issue=2 |pages=1–19 |doi=10.51506/jihat-ul-islam.v12i2.88 |doi-broken-date=31 January 2024 |issn=2521-425X |access-date=7 June 2023 |archive-date=25 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221025070756/https://jihat-ul-islam.com.pk/journal/index.php/jihat-ul-islam/article/view/88 |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Features ==
The key features and characteristics of ''Fath al-Mulhim'' are as follows:<ref name=":DUOB">{{Cite thesis |last=Kaleem |first=Mohd |title=Contribution of Old boys of Darul uloom Deoband in Hadith Literature |publisher=Department of Sunni Theology, Aligarh Muslim University |year=2017 |location=India |language=ur |hdl=10603/364028 |type=PhD |pages=354–356|url=https://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in:8443/jspui/handle/10603/364028 |access-date=24 October 2023 |archive-date=24 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231024044219/https://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in:8443/jspui/handle/10603/364028 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite thesis |last=Khatoon |first=Aaisha |url=https://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/handle/10603/364027 |title=Aazadi ke Baad Hindustan ki Khidmaat e Hadith |publisher=Department of Sunni Theology, Aligarh Muslim University |year=2017 |page= |location=India |language=urdu |type=PhD |hdl=10603/364027 |pages=98–102 |access-date=2023-10-24 |archive-date=2023-10-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231024064943/https://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/handle/10603/364027 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite thesis |last=Kamal |first=Mohd Arif |url=https://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/handle/10603/364940 |title=Ulema e Hind ki Bisween Sadi Nisf Awwal mein Khidmat e Hadith Tanquidi Mutala |publisher=Department of Sunni Theology, Aligarh Muslim University |year=2020 |location=India |language=ur |type=PhD |pages=120–124 |hdl=10603/364940 |access-date=26 October 2023 |archive-date=1 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231101061946/https://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/handle/10603/364940 |url-status=live }}</ref>
# It carefully addresses controversial issues related to faith within the Ahl al-Sunnah wa al-Jama'ah, minimizing differences.
# Usmani mentions the famous and significant events of narrators, provides information on unknown narrators, and points out their shortcomings when necessary.
#He resolves doubts regarding the chains of narrators in specific instances.
#The book offers analysis and clarification of difficult words found in Hadith.
#Quotations from famous books related to the subject matter are provided in various places, aiding in comprehensive explanations of the discussed topics.
#References to books written on the mysteries of [[Religion:Sharia|Sharia]], such as those by [[Biography:Shah Waliullah Dehlawi|Shah Waliullah Dehlawi]], [[Biography:Al-Ghazali|Al-Ghazali]], are mentioned in specific cases.
#Usmani consolidates scattered research findings from various lessons in ''Fath al-Ban'' and other books, bringing them together in one place.
#In analyzing and establishing the truth of a lesson, he includes necessary quotations from books of the Hanafi school of thought. He also provides extensive Arabic references to the research of his teachers and the pioneers of the Hanafi school, even if they were originally written or spoken in languages other than Arabic.
#The book contains numerous research findings that were previously unheard of and are only understood after reading it.
#Usmani strives to write in clear and accessible language, expressing his own comments alongside the text.
#He emphasizes the Qur'an as the basis of all traditions.
#Usmani refutes recent doubts and arguments against Islam in specific instances.
#The author engages in a thorough investigation of disputed matters related to faith.

== Reception ==
Anwar Shah Kashmiri praised Shabbir Ahmad Usmani's knowledge of Hadith literature and stated that nobody has explained ''Sahih Muslim'' better than him.{{Sfn|Laskar|1998|p=175}} Sayyid Muhammad Khaiid All, a professor at Jamia Millia Islamia, described the book as a comprehensive and simplified explanation of ''Sahih Muslim'' that frees readers from having to refer to multiple commentaries.{{Sfn|Laskar|1998|p=175}} Jubair Ahmed Faruqi, the head of the Arabic Department at Jamia Millia Islamia, highlighted the book's importance and usefulness, with scholars from across the Islamic world admiring and accepting it. Some even consider it more important than Al-Nawawi's commentary in various aspects.{{Sfn|Laskar|1998|p=175}} Syed Abdul Majid Ghouri, a professor at the Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia, commended this book is regarded as one of the best and most comprehensive explanations of ''Sahih Muslim''. He praises the accuracy and meticulousness with which all the Hadiths in each chapter are explained, leaving no issue of jurisprudence without clarification.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Ghouri |first=Syed Abdul Majid |date=2017 |title=Fateh Al-Mulhim Explanation of Sahih Muslim by: Sheikh Shubair Ahmed Al-Othmani: A Study of Prophetic Tradition |url=https://hadis.kuis.edu.my/index.php/inhad/article/view/39 |journal=HADIS |language=ar |volume=7 |issue=13 |pages=140 |doi=10.53840/hadis.v7i13.39 |s2cid=203332810 |issn=2550-1585 |access-date=7 June 2023 |archive-date=25 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211225071420/https://hadis.kuis.edu.my/index.php/inhad/article/view/39 |url-status=live |doi-access=free }}</ref>

== See also ==
*[[Religion:Deobandi hadith studies|Deobandi hadith studies]]
== References ==
{{reflist}}

* {{Cite book |last=Adrawi |first=Asir |url=https://archive.org/download/Maktaba-Maulana-Nizamuddin-Aseer-Adravi-Sahib/Dabistan-i-Deoband-Ki-Ilmi-Khidmaat.pdf |title=Dabistan-i Deoband ki Ilmi Khidmaat |publisher=Darulmuaallifeen |year=1995 |location=Deoband, UP, India |language=ur |oclc=47964786 |pages=94–97}}

== External links ==
* ''{{PAGENAME}}'' at [[Internet Archive]]
[[Category:Islamic literature]]
[[Category:Indian religious texts]]

{{Sourceattribution|Fath al-Mulhim bi-Sharh Sahih al-Imam Muslim}}