Ikhtiyar al-Ula fi Sharh Hadith Ikhtisam al-Mala al-Ala
- Author died
- 795 AH
- Editions
- t al-Dawsari
Ikhtiyar al-Ula fi Sharh Hadith Ikhtisam al-Mala al-Ala (The Choice of the Foremost in Explaining the Hadith of the Contention of the Exalted Assembly) is a theological and devotional treatise by the Hanbali scholar Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali (d. 795 AH / 1393 CE), dedicated to the detailed explanation of a single comprehensive prophetic report .
Subject and Context of the Hadith
The treatise centers on the hadith of the contention of the exalted assembly (ikhtisam al-malaʾ al-aʿla), primarily narrated on the authority of Mu'adh ibn Jabal as well as Ibn Abbas and other Companions, and recorded by Ahmad ibn Hanbal and al-Tirmidhi . Al-Tirmidhi graded the report as hasan sahih and noted that he consulted Muhammad ibn Isma'il al-Bukhari, who also affirmed it as hasan sahih . In the narration, the Prophet ﷺ describes receiving a vision in his sleep during the night prayer wherein he saw his Lord in the finest form, after which he was questioned regarding the subject over which the highest angels dispute . Ibn Rajab notes that he compiled the hadith's variant routes and wordings extensively in his commentary on al-Tirmidhi's Jami', dedicating this independent work to expounding its legal, spiritual, and theological meanings .
Structure and Content
The treatise begins with an introductory exposition of the hadith's transmission variants, the propriety of narrating pleasing dream visions to companions, and the affirmation of divine attributes as reported without anthropomorphic resemblance (tamthil), urging readers to submit ambiguous texts (mutashabih) to divine knowledge . It identifies the "exalted assembly" (al-mala' al-a'la) as the archangels or brought-near angels discussing the righteous deeds of mankind . Ibn Rajab then organizes the main body of the work into three dedicated chapters :
- Chapter One: The Expiations (al-Kaffarat): Explains the three deeds that erase sins: performing ablution thoroughly despite severe cold or aversion (isbagh al-wudu' fi al-karihat), walking on foot to congregational and Friday prayers, and remaining seated in mosques after prayers awaiting the next prayer .
- Chapter Two: The Elevated Ranks (al-Darajat): Explains the three deeds that elevate spiritual degrees: providing food to others (it'am al-ta'am), speaking gentle and kind words or spreading the greeting of peace (lin al-kalam / ifsha' al-salam), and praying at night while people are asleep (al-salat bi-al-layl wa-al-nas niyam) .
- Chapter Three: The Supplications (al-Da'awat): Expounds the comprehensive prayer taught at the conclusion of the hadith: اللهم إني أسألك فعل الخيرات، وترك المنكرات، وحب المساكين، وأن تغفر لي وترحمني، وإذا أردت بقوم فتنة فاقبضني إليك غير مفتون، وأسألك حبك، وحب من يحبك، وحب العمل الذي يبلغني حبك ("O Allah, I ask You for the performance of good deeds, the abandonment of evil deeds, the love of the poor, that You forgive me and have mercy on me, and that if You intend a tribulation for a people, You take my soul unto You unafflicted; and I ask You for Your love, the love of whoever loves You, and the love of deeds that draw me near to Your love") .
Publication History
The work was printed in Cairo at al-Matba'a al-Muniriyyah in 1353 AH . Modern critical editions include that edited by Jasim al-Fuhayd al-Dawsari (Kuwait: Dar al-Aqsa, 1406 AH / 1985 CE) and another edited by Husayn al-Jamal (Beirut: Mu'assasat al-Kutub al-Thaqafiyyah, 1407 AH / 1987 CE) . It is also published as part of the collected treatises of Ibn Rajab (Majmu' Rasa'il Ibn Rajab) .
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