# Al-Taleeq al-Sabeeh ala Mishkat al-Masabih

Al-Taleeq al-Sabeeh ala Mishkat al-Masabih (Arabic: التعليق الصبيح على مشكاة المصابيح) is a multi-volume commentary on the hadith collection known as Mishkat al-Masabih. It was written by Idris Kandhlawi in Arabic and first published in Damascus in 1935. The commentary aims to assist readers in studying and comprehending the hadiths in a scholarly manner. It covers various topics related to hadith sciences, such as the classification of hadiths, principles of hadith criticism, the reliability of narrators, and the criteria for accepting a hadith as authentic.

## Features

According to Mohammad Kaleem, a researcher from Aligarh Muslim University, the author explains the hadiths concisely using simple language, making it comprehensive and easy for students to understand. This ensures that students grasp the meanings and concepts of the hadith without difficulty. The commentary elucidates the points and nuances of the hadiths clearly, providing explanations for any unfamiliar terms in footnotes. When there are differences in understanding and interpretation, the commentary presents various opinions of respected scholars and establishes the preferred view or provides a comparison between them. Accurate citations of references to other books are included, and the book's reference is mentioned at the end, allowing readers to consult the original sources if needed for further study.
In this commentary, special attention has been given to the following aspects: easy explanation of hadiths tailored to students' needs and their level of understanding, providing meanings of unfamiliar terms and detailed explanations, thorough comparison between conflicting hadiths based on personal insight and intelligence, and mentioning the opinions of different juristic schools regarding the commands and issues mentioned in the hadiths. The author also includes discussions on various topics related to hadith sciences, such as the classification of hadiths, the principles of hadith criticism, the different types of hadith narrators, and the conditions for accepting a hadith as authentic. These discussions provide students with a solid foundation in the methodology of studying and understanding hadiths.
The commentary includes extensive cross-references to other hadith collections and relevant scholarly works, allowing readers to explore different perspectives and deepen their understanding of the hadiths. The author's approach in the commentary is balanced and scholarly, avoiding any bias or sectarianism. The focus is on presenting the authentic meanings of the hadiths based on sound evidence and scholarly consensus. This makes the commentary a reliable source for understanding the teachings of the Islamic prophet Muhammad without distortion or personal opinions. The language used in the commentary is clear and concise, making it accessible to a wide range of readers. The author takes care to explain complex concepts and terminology in a simple manner, ensuring that even those with limited knowledge of Arabic and Islamic sciences can benefit from the book.

## Sources

Idris Kandhlawi drew upon numerous sources, including commentaries on Mishkat al-Masabih by previous scholars, as well as various exegeses, hadith collections, theological works, and especially Islamic scholars from the Indian subcontinent, to write his commentary.

## Reception

Ahmad Ali Badat from Islamia University of Bahawalpur stated that Idris Kandhlawi not only compiled his explanations but also created a remarkable work of Arabic literature. Muhammad Haashim Rashid Shafi’ee of Damascus reflected on this book, stating, "The majority of the discussions found within serve as sufficient evidence and a testament to the author's mastery. Upon comparing numerous discussions in this commentary with the works of Ali al-Qari, one cannot help but exclaim, 'How much remains for those who follow!' This realization highlights the insufficiency of Ali al-Qari's commentary, leaving no alternative but to engage with this remarkable and immensely beneficial commentary titled At-Ta’leequs Sabeeh."