Ikhtiyar al-Awla fi Sharh Hadith Ikhtisam al-Mala al-Ala - Dimn Majmu Rasail Ibn Rajab

Ikhtiyar al-Awla fi Sharh Hadith Ikhtisam al-Mala al-Ala (Choosing the Paramount in Explaining the Hadith of the Dispute of the Exalted Assembly) is a theological and spiritual treatise by the Hanbali traditionist and jurist Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali (736–795 AH / 1335–1393 CE), dedicated to the detailed exposition of a single prophetic narration al-Laalii al-Makkiyya min…+1.

Background and Subject

The treatise belongs to a genre of monographs by Ibn Rajab that focus on extensive commentaries of individual hadiths Sharh Ilal al-Tirmidhi. The text centers on the famous hadith of the "dispute of the exalted assembly" (hadith ikhtisam al-mala al-a'la), transmitted on the authority of companions such as Mu'adh ibn Jabal and Ibn Abbas, and recorded by traditionists including Ahmad ibn Hanbal and al-Tirmidhi Ikhtiyar al-Awla fi Sharh…+1.

In the narration, the Prophet Muhammad describes a nocturnal vision of his Lord and relates being asked about what the angels in the highest realm discuss and compete over Ikhtiyar al-Awla fi Sharh…+1. The discussion in the hadith outlines deeds that expiate sins (al-kaffarat), acts that elevate spiritual degrees (al-darajat), and a set of comprehensive supplications (al-da'awat) Sharh Ilal al-Tirmidhi+1.

Structure and Contents

Ibn Rajab opens the treatise by examining the narration and its theological implications, affirming that the descriptions given by the Prophet concerning his Lord in the vision are truth to be believed in without anthropomorphism or drawing comparisons (nafy al-tamthil), while consigning ambiguous matters to faith Ifrad Ahadith Asma Allah …+1. He then structures the core of the work around three distinct chapters (fusul) corresponding to the primary themes of the hadith:

• Expiations (al-Kaffarat): Covering deeds that erase minor sins and faults, specifically performing ablution thoroughly despite unpleasant or cold conditions (isbagh al-wudu ala al-makarih), walking to congregational and Friday prayers (naql al-aqdam ila al-jama'at), and remaining in mosques after the completion of prayers to await the next Ikhtiyar al-Awla fi Sharh…+1.
• Elevated Degrees (al-Darajat): Addressing acts of virtue that raise ranks in the hereafter, including providing food to others (it'am al-ta'am), speaking gentle and pleasant words (lin al-kalam), and praying voluntary night prayers while people are asleep (al-salat bi-al-layl wa-al-nas niyam) Sharh Ilal al-Tirmidhi+1.
• Supplications (al-Da'awat): Analyzing the concluding prayer taught in the hadith, which includes asking God for the performance of good deeds, the abandonment of abominable acts, the love of the destitute, divine forgiveness and mercy, protection from trials (fitnah), and the attainment of God's love and the love of deeds that draw closer to Him Sharh Ilal al-Tirmidhi+1.

Publication and Reception

The treatise has been evaluated by scholars as an extensive and valuable commentary on the hadith Fatawa wa Istisharat al-I…. It was published in Egypt in 1353 AH, in Kuwait edited by Jasim al-Fuhayd al-Dawsari (1406 AH / 1985 CE), and in Beirut edited by Husayn al-Jamal (1407 AH / 1987 CE) al-Laalii al-Makkiyya min…+1. It is also included in the fourth volume of the compiled collection of Ibn Rajab's treatises, Majmu' Rasa'il al-Hafiz Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali Majmu Rasail Ibn Rajab.