Bariqa Mahmudiya fi Sharh Tariqa Muhammadiya wa Sharia Nabawiya fi Sira Ahmadiya
- Author died
- 1156 AH
- Editions
- Matba'at al-Halabi
Bariqa Mahmudiya fi Sharh Tariqa Muhammadiya wa Sharia Nabawiya fi Sira Ahmadiya (The Praised Radiance in Explaining the Muhammadan Path and Prophetic Sacred Law in Ahmad's Biography) is a multi-volume commentary on Islamic ethics, creed, and spiritual refinement by the Hanafi jurist and legal theorist Abu Sa'id Muhammad al-Khadimi (1113–1176 AH / 1701–1763 CE; also recorded as being completed while he was alive in 1168 AH / 1755 CE) .
Author and Composition
The work was composed as an extensive commentary on al-Tariqa al-Muhammadiyya by Taqi al-Din Muhammad ibn Bir Ali al-Birkawi (d. 981 AH / 1573 CE) . Al-Khadimi finished writing the work on 16 Ramadan 1168 AH . In his introduction, al-Khadimi states that he undertook the explanation as an act of devotion and service to the Prophet ﷺ, aiming to elucidate the text's comprehensive coverage of both destructive spiritual pitfalls (al-muhlikat) and salvific virtues (al-munjiyat) .
Structure and Scope
The underlying text commented upon by al-Khadimi is structured into three main parts (abwab) :
- First part: Divided into three sections covering adherence to the Quran and the Sunnah, religious innovations (bida'), and moderation (iqtisad) .
- Second part: Divided into three sections addressing the correction of doctrinal belief (tas-hih al-i'tiqad), auxiliary branches of knowledge pursued for secondary ends, and God-fearing piety (taqwa) along with its various categories and divisions .
- Third part: Divided into three sections analyzing practices incorrectly assumed to be genuine piety, including scrupulosity in ritual purity, abstention from the food of public officeholders, and various innovated customs .
Method and Content
In his commentary, al-Khadimi expands upon al-Birkawi's treatise by integrating theological analysis, legal precepts, and moral guidelines drawn from authoritative texts, statements of scholars, and spiritual sages . He discusses doctrinal questions, such as the philosophical and theological implications of seeking divine aid (isti'ana) and voluntary human actions, incorporating perspectives from figures like al-Baydawi .
The commentary has been published in four volumes .
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