The Fasting of the Prophet (PBUH) in the Light of Al-Shamāʾil Al-Muḥammadiyya by Imam Al-Tirmidhī: A Critical Study and Textual Verification of the Chapter on the Fasting of the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) through the Commentary of Imam Muḥammad ibn Ṣalāḥ Al-Lārī

Abstract

This research presents a study and critical edition of the chapter entitled "What Has Been Narrated Concerning the Fasting of the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace" from the book Al-Shamā'il al-Muḥammadiyya (The Prophetic Qualities) by Imam Abū 'Īsā al-Tirmidhī, accompanied by the commentary of the distinguished scholar Muḥammad ibn Ṣalāḥ ibn Jalāl al-Lārī. The research problem lies in the absence of an academic scholarly investigation of this valuable commentary, which is considered one of the Islamic heritage sources that requires revival and documentation. The study aimed to introduce Imam al-Tirmidhī and his book Al-Shamā'il, to introduce the commentator al-Lārī and his scholarly contributions, to clarify the linguistic and legal (Sharī'ah) concept of fasting, and to conduct an analytical study and scholarly investigation of the sixteen ḥadīths in this chapter, including textual verification, authentication (takhrīj), and evaluation of their chains of transmission. The study adopted the descriptive-analytical method for introducing the scholars and sources, and the critical-investigative method for dealing with the commentary's texts. The research concluded by affirming the high scholarly standing of al-Lārī and the depth of his methodology in ḥadīth and jurisprudence (fiqh), as well as highlighting the importance of Al-Shamā'il al-Muḥammadiyya as an indispensable reference for understanding the conduct (hady) of the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, concerning fasting.