The Book of Hadith: Sayings of the Prophet Muhammad from the Mishkat Al Masabih

by Charles Le Gai Eaton, Jeremy Henzell-Thomas (Introduction)

This selection of the sayings of the Prophet Muhammad was made by the internationally respected British Muslim scholar, Charles le Gai Eaton. The Book of Hadith captures not only the practical and profound wisdom of the Prophet, but his human side as well. Contains Arabic text as well.

Genres: Islam, Religion, Nonfiction, History

196 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2007

About the author

Charles Le Gai Eaton (Hasan le Gai Eaton or Hassan Abdul Hakeem) (1 January 1921 – 26 February 2010) was born in Lausanne, Switzerland and raised as an agnostic by his parents. He received his education at Charterhouse and at King's College, Cambridge. He worked for many years as a teacher and journalist in Jamaica and Egypt. He then joined the British Diplomatic Service.
Eaton converted to Islam in 1951. He served as a consultant to the Islamic Cultural Centre in London. In 1996 he served on a committee that drafted the constitution of the Muslim Council of Britain
He was however often critical of mainstream British Muslim opinion, and felt that Muslims themselves should have sorted out Saddam Hussain. Regarding the invasion of Iraq, in an interview with emel magazine he said, "I am very torn either way and I cannot quite make up my mind what I think... He was our monster, it should have been for us to deal with him.” In the same article Eaton also called for the creation of a British Islamic identity, "it is time for the Muslims in Britain to settle down, to find their own way, to form a real community and to discover a specifically British way of living Islam... This is no curry-island.”
His books include Islam and the Destiny of Man (listed on Q News' list of "10 books to take to university"), King of the Castle, and Remembering God. Many converts to Islam in the United Kingdom have been inspired by his books, which are also expositions of Islam for Western readers, secular or believing. He also frequently contributed articles to the quarterly journal on comparative religion and traditional studies, Studies in Comparative Religion.
There is a short autobiography at Salaam Books[8]. His last book and autobiography A Bad Beginning and the Path to Islam was published by Archetype in January 2010. He is the father of Leo Eaton, a director and producer of documentary films.[10]

Reviews

[Michael Percy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like all religious works, there is much debate over what should and should not be in the text. This work includes translations and the original Arabic text, and is well-regarded. I took copious notes from the Book of Hadith , but these resonate most:
- "If anyone travels a path in search of knowledge, God will conduct him through one of the paths of Paradise" (p. 11).
- "Be in the world as though you were a stranger or a passing traveler" (p. 41).
- "Do not curse time, for God is time!" (p. 100).
- "Beware of envy! Envy devours good deeds just as fire devours firewood" (p. 112).
- "A person keeps saying 'Mine, mine!' But what is theirs but three things? What he's eaten and consumed, what he's worn and worn out, what he's given and that is what endures. Everything else is fleeting and must be given up eventually to others" (p. 117).
A real eye-opener. As the sheikh in Amman said to me "You must read widely, and read for yourself. Do not believe what others tell you, listen only to God".

[Atimia Atimia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Whereas the Qur'an has more of the OT God of wrath (an awful lot of Hell promises), the Hadith have the NT God of love and mercy.

I still can't get over A'isha's age, though. To consider there are Hadiths about them washing after intercourse and Hadiths of her playing with dolls is just a bit uncomfortable.

All in all, incredibly important to read Hadiths, as Muslims cherish them greatly, and you won't get anywhere near a complete picture of Islam with just the Qur'an.

[Ginger Stephens · Rating 5 out of 5]

A friend recommended that I read a book of Hadith to better understand Islam. I picked this particular collection of Hadith since it only contained the Hadith that are most recognized as being from the companions of The a Prophet.

I found the book very enlightening. It contains two stories that I had read in footnotes to the Qu’ran. The versions here are longer and much more clear to a Western reader. It was a much easier read than I expected. It was also more enjoyable than I expected.

I recommend this book to those who are curious about Islam, but it would best best to read the Qu’ran first. The stories and sayings don’t make a lot of sense without the Qu’ran as a base.

[Ravanagh Allan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good stuff, but nothing a spiritual man doesn’t already know.

[Ryan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Going in I assumed this was the entirety of Hadith, but I think now it's just a selected number of them. I'm confused and somewhat annoyed.

That aside, the content of this collection isn't all that objectionable.

[S · Rating 5 out of 5]

The way is paved for us, how many will take the path?

[Merike · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alhamdulillah, May Allah grant us more knowledge.
This book has really good hadiths, It gave me more insights on Islam as faith as convert.