Travelling in the Pursuit of Hadith

Travelling in the Pursuit of Hadith

Before you is the English translation of the classical treatise al-Rihlah fi Talab al-Hadith by the great scholar of the Shafii school of jurisprudence and the Imăm of his time, Abü Bakr Ahmad ibn 'Ali ibn Thabit al-Khațib al-Baghdadi. His complete biography from al-Imam al-Dhahabi's voluminous work Siyar A lam al-Nubala' has also been translated and added herein. 

This treatise is essentially a gathering of powerful and insightful narrations (of the Companions, pious predecessors, and the Prophet Musa عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) that emphasise the importance of travelling and exerting efforts towards seeking knowledge. It also serves as a historical record, highlighting the efforts of the early generations of scholars who overcame obstacles and worked diligently to attain knowledge. These narrations also serve as a reminder of the high aspirations and humility required by Muslims in the pursuit of knowledge, a wakeup call to tread the path of our pious predecessors.

Imăm al-Dhahabi said regarding al-Khațib:

"He produced an immense body of literature and attained such distinction in his works that he surpassed his contemporaries... He ultimately became, without dispute, the most learned person of his time."

Al-Hāfiz Ion Hajar said,

"Rare is the science from the sciences of al-hadith on which al-Khatib did not author an independent book upon. Indeed, it is as al-Hāfiz Abu Bakr ibn Nuqtah said, 'Every objective person knows that the hadith masters after al-Khatib are dependent upon his books. Mullā Ali al-Qāri expanded upon this, "This is akin to the statement of al-shāfit, 'All are dependent upon Abi Hanifah in jurisprudence." [sharh Sharh Nukhbati '1-Fikar (139-141)]

By: al-Khatib al-Baghdadi
Publisher: Dar Al-Arqam
Paperback, 168 pages

Alternate SKU: 4712, 22378644, 9780992813628, 978-1-9928136-2-8