An Analytical Study of Mufti Muhammad Farīd’s Methodology in Tawḍīḥ al-Abwāb of Sunan al-Tirmidhī

Abstract

This research article presents an analytical study of the methodological approach adopted by Shaykh al-Ḥadīth Mufti Muhammad Farīd Zarbobī (رحمہ اللہ) in explaining the Tarājim al-Abwāb (chapter headings) of Sunan al-Tirmidhī, as reflected in his renowned work Manhāj al-Sunan Sharḥ Jāmiʿ al-Sunan. The chapter headings formulated by Imām al-Tirmidhī (رحمہ اللہ) are not merely structural titles but embody profound juristic, methodological, and ḥadīth-related insights. Their proper understanding is therefore indispensable for an accurate comprehension of the Prophetic traditions recorded under them.

The study highlights that Mufti Muhammad Farīd (رحمہ اللہ) adopts a comprehensive and well-balanced methodology in Tawḍīḥ al-Abwāb. His approach includes detailed linguistic and terminological analysis of key words, clarification of juristic implications, systematic presentation of the opinions of the four Sunni schools of law alongside those of the Companions, Tābiʿīn, and other jurists, identification of authentic and erroneous manuscript variants, and elucidation of the intended purpose and legal inference behind each chapter heading. Furthermore, he frequently correlates the chapter titles with the practical Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ, historical context, and principles of legal reasoning employed by Imām al-Tirmidhī.

The article concludes that Mufti Muhammad Farīd’s method represents a distinctive contribution to the field of ḥadīth commentary. His explanations combine brevity with depth, scholarly precision with juristic insight, and traditional adherence with critical analysis. Consequently, Manhāj al-Sunan emerges as a valuable resource for students and researchers of ḥadīth and Islamic jurisprudence, particularly in understanding the intricate relationship between chapter headings and the aḥādīth they encompass.