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In this Ramadan book review, DR ILYAAS AMIEN explores Shaykh Dr Muhammad Al Ninowy’s The Book of Mercy, a powerful reflection on rahma and compassion through the exploration of a classical text.
The Forty Hadith on Mercy and Those Who Show Mercy. By Shaykh Dr Muhammad bin Yahya bin Muhammad Al Ninowy. Madina Institute USA. February 2026
THIS book is an exemplary contribution to Islamic literature. The text highlights the centrality of mercy in Islam through a translation and critical analysis of Imam Shams al-Din Ibn Tulun al-Hanafi’s 10th-century compilation of forty hadith on mercy. Shaykh Ninowy’s work breathes life into a classical text whilst situating it within the spiritual and ethical challenges of modernity.
The book offers a challenge to contemporary discourses that often reduce Islam to outward rituals without an awareness of the inner states that give them meaning. Many have come to equate religiosity solely with the frequency of prayer, fasting or charity. While these are essential pillars of faith, they are incomplete when disconnected from the spiritual essence that underpins them. Allah tells us that the purpose of prayer is remembrance (‘Sura Ta Ha, 20:14’), and that true remembrance brings serenity to the heart (‘Sura Ar-Ra’d, 13:28’). This suggests that the function of worship is not merely performance but transformation. The Prophet (SAW) expressed this beautifully when he described prayer as the coolness of his eyes, a spiritual refuge for the heart (‘Al-Nasaai, 3939’).
The book is divided into three parts:
- an introduction explaining the concept of mercy
- a biography of Ibn Tulun and a reproduction of the original manuscript, and
- reflections on each of the forty hadith along with an analysis of the chains of transmission.
Shaykh Ninowy introduces the concept of rahma by referring the reader to its linguistic root – rahm – which means womb. Just as the womb expands to protect and accommodate new life, so too should the believer’s heart expand to embrace others. This deeper meaning is why Shaykh Ninowy chooses to translate rahma not simply as ‘mercy’ but as ‘loving mercy’, revealing additional qualities such as tenderness, compassion and kindness.
The book’s introduction seeks to present mercy as the foundation of Islam, using arguments from the Qur’an and authentic Sunnah. For example, the Qur’an opens with the Basmallah, or ‘In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Compassionate’, and all but one chapter begins with this phrase. Of all Allah’s attributes, none is mentioned more frequently in the Qur’an than mercy – appearing 315 times. This repeated emphasis gently reminds the reader that revelation should be approached through the lens of compassion.
The author also reflects on the innumerable extent of Allah’s mercy. Shaykh Ninowy includes narrations illustrating this point, such as the story of a man who believed he could enter Paradise through his deeds alone, only to be shown by Allah that the gift of his eyesight alone outweighed his 500 years of worship (‘Al-Mustadrak, 7701’). Another narration describes Allah’s mercy as being greater than that of a mother for her child (‘Al-Bukhari, 5999’). These narrations remind the reader that while we should strive for good deeds, we should not depend on them. Rather, we ought to depend on Allah’s mercy and His acceptance of our deeds.
The core of the book is Shaykh Ninowy’s commentary on the forty hadith transmitted by Ibn Tulun. The first hadith, titled musalsal bi’l-awwaliyya, is traditionally the first hadith taught to students in the field: ‘Those who are merciful will be shown mercy’ (‘Al-Mustadrak, 7339’). Placing this narration first emphasises that the journey of sacred knowledge must begin with humility and compassion. Each subsequent hadith is analysed with careful attention to authenticity and meaning. Shaykh Ninowy deliberately limits his commentary to two or three reflections per narration to invite personal contemplation rather than passive reading.
One area that the book could have explored further is the relationship between mercy, suffering and divine justice. Many struggle with reconciling the presence of suffering with belief in an All-Merciful God. A response to this is that suffering in the dunya may remove sins or elevate one’s rank in the hereafter; and second, that Allah’s attributes of justice and wisdom operate alongside His mercy in perfect harmony. Human beings may not always perceive the true wisdom behind events, but Islamic theology teaches that divine mercy and divine justice are never in conflict.
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As we enter the blessed month of Ramadan, this work invites us to cultivate loving mercy in our worship, families and communities. Beyond fasting from food and drink, can we strive to fast from anger, envy and resentment too? Can we endeavour to sweeten relationships with our spouses, families, colleagues and even strangers? These small acts of mercy reflect the deeper spiritual purpose of our faith.
May Allah open the doors of rahma in our lives and always make us vehicles of mercy to the rest of creation. Ameen.
Dr Ilyaas Amien is a medical doctor and PhD candidate in Neuroscience at the University of Cape Town. He is a graduate of the Madina Institute Usul al-Din Programme and the Muhammadan Leadership College.
The book is available from Chapter 96 Bookz and Baitul Hikmah.
