assalihin

as-Salihin, literally “the righteous,” most often refers to Riyad as-Salihin (Gardens of the Righteous), a widely read hadith collection compiled by the medieval Islamic scholar Imam Abu Zakariya Yahya ibn Sharaf al-Nawawi. Completed in the 13th century CE, the work assembles a large selection of hadith arranged into thematic chapters that cover ethics, worship, and social conduct, with the aim of guiding daily Muslim practice.

Authorship and scope: Riyad as-Salihin is attributed to Nawawi, a prominent Sunni hadith scholar who lived in the Mamluk period. The collection draws on narrations from major hadith sources such as Sahih Bukhari, Sahih Muslim, and other Sunni compilations, and it presents them in a practical, devotional format. The book emphasizes piety, sincerity, humility, generosity, patience, and other moral virtues, as well as aspects of worship, remembrance of God, and interpersonal relations.

Reception and use: The anthology has become a staple in many Sunni communities and is frequently studied in madrasas, mosques, and Islamic study circles. It is valued for its accessible presentation of ethical and devotional themes and is widely translated. Because the collection includes a mix of narrations from various sources, scholars advise readers to consult commentaries or reliable authentication when studying individual hadith.

See also: Riyad as-Salihin; hadith literature; Imam Nawawi.