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Person
Hadith narrator

Yahya ibn Sharaf al-Nawawi

يحيى بن شرف النووي

Abu Zakariyya

1233 CE – 1277 CE (631 AH – 676 AH)(aged ~44) Born in Nawa, Syria Died in Nawa, Syria

Yahya ibn Sharaf al-Nawawi was a 13th-century Sunni Shafi'i jurist and hadith scholar renowned for his works on Islamic ethics and jurisprudence, including Riyadh as-Salihin and the Forty Hadith of al-Nawawi.

Yahya ibn Sharaf al-Nawawi was born in 1233 CE in Nawa near Damascus, Syria. He was a prominent Shafi'i jurist and hadith scholar during the Mamluk period, known for his extensive writings on hadith, theology, and Islamic law. Al-Nawawi studied under numerous scholars in Damascus and dedicated his life to scholarship, producing influential works such as Riyadh as-Salihin and Sharh Sahih Muslim. He was noted for his asceticism, devotion to learning, and courage in advising rulers, notably Sultan Baybars. Despite dying young at the age of 45 in 1277 CE, his legacy endures across all Sunni madhabs. His tomb was destroyed during the Syrian Civil War in 2015.

Significance

He is significant for his foundational contributions to hadith literature and Shafi'i jurisprudence, with works studied widely across the Muslim world.

Reputation in tradition

Highly praised in Sunni tradition for his scholarship, asceticism, and commitment to enjoining good and forbidding evil.
Classical grade
sahih thiqa
Generation
Generation 14
Why they matter in hadith

Compiler of Riyad al-Salihin and the Forty Hadith of al-Nawawi; one of the most influential later hadith authors.

Sources: Wikipedia and classical Islamic biographical literature compiled by automated researchers. Every page is being continuously refined — if something looks off, please check back in a few days.