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Al-Kafi Book I: Intellect & Foolishness
Written in the 10th century, al-Kafi is the earliest and most important compilation of traditions from Prophet Muhammad and his successors. Al-Kafi Book I: Intellect & Foolishness is the first in the series of thirty-five books. This English translation also features detailed, original commentary that makes a challenging text accessible to readers of all backgrounds. Whether you are a Muslim looking to deepen your understanding of your faith or an academic interested in studying the world’s fastest growing religion, al-Kafi is a must-read.
Shaykh Abu Ja’far Muhammad ibn Ya’qub al-Kulayni (d.940 or 941 CE) was among the foremost Muslim scholars of his age. He has been praised by his contemporaries as “the most reliable of our scholars of traditions,” “an expert on traditions,” and “of the highest status, a scholar of traditions.” Another has claimed there is “a consensus on his reliability and trustworthiness.” Through his compilation of al-Kafi, al-Kulayni has had a profound influence on Islamic scholarship, making him one of the most significant and celebrated scholars of all time.
Shaykh Abu Ja’far Muhammad ibn Ya’qub al-Kulayni (d.940 or 941 CE) was among the foremost Muslim scholars of his age. He has been praised by his contemporaries as “the most reliable of our scholars of traditions,” “an expert on traditions,” and “of the highest status, a scholar of traditions.” Another has claimed there is “a consensus on his reliability and trustworthiness.” Through his compilation of al-Kafi, al-Kulayni has had a profound influence on Islamic scholarship, making him one of the most significant and celebrated scholars of all time.
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First published January 1, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
December 15, 2020
Al-Kafi is the most well known of the ahadith collections of the Shi’a Muslims aside from the Nahjul Balagha. Recently, translation efforts have been being made to publish the incredible work in English for the masses to read.
The Islamic Text Institute adds a useful commentary to the enlightening ahadith contained within the collection, covering a variety of topics such as the content of the ahadith, context behind the transmissions, and the logical implications of these ahadith in connection with others found in the larger corpus of narrations belonging to the Shi’a.
Sometimes the reliability of individual ahadith is discussed; an excellent feature that, for just a moment, crowns the reader with an amamah (a turban usually worn by scholars) and transforms their room into a Hawza seminary. I knew various ahadith from our Imams and I generally knew their level of wisdom before reading the book from other sources such as lectures, however, there is indeed a special feeling when holding between your hands, the words of these spiritually elevated guides. And what rich words they are.
The books starts with a history of Al-Kafi and a description of its pious author ibn Ya’qub al-Kulayni, also touching on aspects of the transmission methods employed in the book and its general reliability. In this regards it is rather academic, without feeling overwhelmingly so. This particular volume’s focus on Intellect and Foolishness does not disappoint. I found myself shattering long-standing misconceptions I had about logic itself and needing to revaluate where I truly stand on the scales of these two antithetical qualities. This is exactly the effect I expected such a powerful work would have on me. I will certainly be buying all upcoming volumes for my library insha’Allah.
I would strongly recommend this version of the Al-Kafi collection for any Muslims or non-Muslims who are thirsty for the deep guidance that these universally respected twelve Imams of the Shi’a gifted to the ummah. You will not be disappointed.
Alhamdulillah.
The Islamic Text Institute adds a useful commentary to the enlightening ahadith contained within the collection, covering a variety of topics such as the content of the ahadith, context behind the transmissions, and the logical implications of these ahadith in connection with others found in the larger corpus of narrations belonging to the Shi’a.
Sometimes the reliability of individual ahadith is discussed; an excellent feature that, for just a moment, crowns the reader with an amamah (a turban usually worn by scholars) and transforms their room into a Hawza seminary. I knew various ahadith from our Imams and I generally knew their level of wisdom before reading the book from other sources such as lectures, however, there is indeed a special feeling when holding between your hands, the words of these spiritually elevated guides. And what rich words they are.
The books starts with a history of Al-Kafi and a description of its pious author ibn Ya’qub al-Kulayni, also touching on aspects of the transmission methods employed in the book and its general reliability. In this regards it is rather academic, without feeling overwhelmingly so. This particular volume’s focus on Intellect and Foolishness does not disappoint. I found myself shattering long-standing misconceptions I had about logic itself and needing to revaluate where I truly stand on the scales of these two antithetical qualities. This is exactly the effect I expected such a powerful work would have on me. I will certainly be buying all upcoming volumes for my library insha’Allah.
I would strongly recommend this version of the Al-Kafi collection for any Muslims or non-Muslims who are thirsty for the deep guidance that these universally respected twelve Imams of the Shi’a gifted to the ummah. You will not be disappointed.
Alhamdulillah.
October 18, 2020
There have been decades of attempts at accurately translating the traditions of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and his successors from primary shi’i sources - yet nothing comes close to this one. Included with extensive commentary on each and every tradition, the insurmountable effort put into the formatting and editing of this book becomes extremely evident as soon as you dive into it and realise the eloquence of the traditions and the conviction in the rational arguments.
June 9, 2021
Learning about al-Kafi was interesting. One gains an understanding for the reverence of the Imams, comes to know their blessed names, and becomes acquainted with their virtuous deeds, stainless behavior, charitable acts, wise ways, and exalted rank. Against the backdrop of world affairs one can fathom & conceive of their great wisdom truly guiding humanity toward maturity. They were Teachers. Their ways, and excellent interpretations of teachings of the blessed Prophet Muhammad, the Messenger of God, the All-Glorious, serve to aid humankind in its attainment of an abiding peace. Not only were sciences & crafts elevated by the influence of the advent of Islamic enlightenment but there stemmed greater spiritual energies emanating from those fountainheads of divine wisdom, the Imams. Their mention should be accompanied with silent meditations, for several of them suffered grievous deaths at the hands of treacherous & dangerous foes. Wherefore it is said, Upon them be peace.
The experience of reading al-Kafi was rather monotonous though. It's a tome. I downloaded a pdf version and read it thru iBooks on the phone over the course of 8 months, bit by bit each morning or so in addition to my readings of the Baha'i Writings. Some pages weren't but three or four lines of content in the form of adages or proverbs whereas other pages were dense blocks of text (one big paragraph w/out indentation). If you're interested in this book for historical, theological, or spiritual reasons, or are of the Shia faith, then this collection of hadiths is quite a treasure, in addition, of course, to the Holy Quran. Trying to understand the Quran is like a spider trying to snare a phoenix with its web. So these authoritative & well-known hadiths will come to substantiate Islamic faith.
Overall, well, I began with having never read or known much about Islamic hadith, then I heard of the Book of Kafi, and thought to give it a go, only it was extremely big (like a bible), but I wanted to know this side of Islam and its role in the development of customs & traditions over the centuries. It's long, so hardly anyone will read it all the way thru like I kinda did, and unless you're looking for specific commentary on certain Surahs or verses, or are seeking to unravel the mysteries hidden in the Book, there is only the knowledge to gain. The two centuries after the ascension of the Apostle of God were formative. There followed a golden age of achievement, propagation, & of sovereignty. The modern age is marred by the grievous schisms, and acts of terror. There are the great questions surrounding the mystery of the Hidden Imam. When will He come? Who is He? Where will He appear? For Muslims, in general, there is yet to be an answer. The Quran was revealed by the last of the messengers, "the Seal of the prophets." The traditions therefore allude to events yet to come. And so, as a reading experience, one comes away from it all without a feeling of resolution. For secular, nonreligious readers, al-Kafi might be too esoteric & remote. For readers of the Baha'i Writings (ie Baha'is), this feels like a eulogy, and is referenced in 'the Epistle to the Son of the Wolf'. If you are mad enough to tackle this large work by a praiseworthy translator, read it in daily doses. You'll likely have an e-version so go ahead & highlight away, & keep a solid translation of the Quran on hand (I recommend John Medows Rodwell's translation).
Key lessons:
- It's vital to receive spiritual guidance in its most true dispensation
- Man will not be left without divine guidance
- The Imamate represent the perfect exemplars of the teachings of Muhammad, glorified be His life
- The Shia faith wells from deeply spiritual attachments to the family of the Prophet, and illumines a most faithful adherence to the meanings of the holy verses & scriptures through its preservation of tradition & of spiritual interpretation.
The experience of reading al-Kafi was rather monotonous though. It's a tome. I downloaded a pdf version and read it thru iBooks on the phone over the course of 8 months, bit by bit each morning or so in addition to my readings of the Baha'i Writings. Some pages weren't but three or four lines of content in the form of adages or proverbs whereas other pages were dense blocks of text (one big paragraph w/out indentation). If you're interested in this book for historical, theological, or spiritual reasons, or are of the Shia faith, then this collection of hadiths is quite a treasure, in addition, of course, to the Holy Quran. Trying to understand the Quran is like a spider trying to snare a phoenix with its web. So these authoritative & well-known hadiths will come to substantiate Islamic faith.
Overall, well, I began with having never read or known much about Islamic hadith, then I heard of the Book of Kafi, and thought to give it a go, only it was extremely big (like a bible), but I wanted to know this side of Islam and its role in the development of customs & traditions over the centuries. It's long, so hardly anyone will read it all the way thru like I kinda did, and unless you're looking for specific commentary on certain Surahs or verses, or are seeking to unravel the mysteries hidden in the Book, there is only the knowledge to gain. The two centuries after the ascension of the Apostle of God were formative. There followed a golden age of achievement, propagation, & of sovereignty. The modern age is marred by the grievous schisms, and acts of terror. There are the great questions surrounding the mystery of the Hidden Imam. When will He come? Who is He? Where will He appear? For Muslims, in general, there is yet to be an answer. The Quran was revealed by the last of the messengers, "the Seal of the prophets." The traditions therefore allude to events yet to come. And so, as a reading experience, one comes away from it all without a feeling of resolution. For secular, nonreligious readers, al-Kafi might be too esoteric & remote. For readers of the Baha'i Writings (ie Baha'is), this feels like a eulogy, and is referenced in 'the Epistle to the Son of the Wolf'. If you are mad enough to tackle this large work by a praiseworthy translator, read it in daily doses. You'll likely have an e-version so go ahead & highlight away, & keep a solid translation of the Quran on hand (I recommend John Medows Rodwell's translation).
Key lessons:
- It's vital to receive spiritual guidance in its most true dispensation
- Man will not be left without divine guidance
- The Imamate represent the perfect exemplars of the teachings of Muhammad, glorified be His life
- The Shia faith wells from deeply spiritual attachments to the family of the Prophet, and illumines a most faithful adherence to the meanings of the holy verses & scriptures through its preservation of tradition & of spiritual interpretation.
March 3, 2024
The compilation of traditions from Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) and his successors was explained exceptionally well for modern day use. Any one can benefit from this book because it thoroughly analyses the key components of human intellect.
March 29, 2022
I am giving the 5 stars for the hadiths and not the translations or the commentary. Those deserve a lower rating.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews