Riyād al-Sālihīn is a book of tremendous value that was highly recommended by scholars, and consequently has spread widely and benefited many people. This can be attributed to a number of reasons, among which are the following two reasons:
First: what was known of the devotion of its compiler, Al-Nawawi (may Allah have mercy upon him). As a fruit of his devotion, Allah blessed his book and benefited Muslims with it. Ibn ‘Abbās (may Allah be pleased with him and his father) said: “A man will attain according to his intention.”
Second: The dire need of common Muslims to a book about morals, etiquette, encouragement, and intimidation; which Riyād al-Sālihīn offers. Writing about these matters comforts people with sound innate nature, and they readily accept it. Hence, the book found its way to peoples’ hearts. To them, it was like good health to the body and like the sun to the earth; i.e. nothing can compensate for their absence. The author himself asserts this meaning by saying:
“I hope that when this book is completed it would drive the one who reads it well to all goodness and deter him from committing all evils”
* Al-Hāfiz Al-Dhahabi (d. 748 AH) said:
“We ask Allah for beneficial knowledge. Do you know what beneficial knowledge is? It is what was revealed in the Qur'an and explained by the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) in word and deed, and no forbiddance has been reported about it. The Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings peace be upon him) said: ‘Whoever turns away from my Sunnah does not belong to me.’ So, dear brother, you have to contemplate the Book of Allah, and to addictively read the two Sahīhs (i.e. Sahīh Al-Bukhāri and Sahīh Muslim), the Sunan of Al-Nasā’i, and Riyād al-Sālihīn of Al-Nawawi and his Al-Adhkār so that you may attain prosperity and success." [Sirat A‘lām al-Nubalā’ (19/340)]
The erudite scholar Ibn al-Wazīr al-Yamāni (d. 840 AH) said:
“The second type of knowledge: what is needed in religion, and this is of two categories; one whose excellence is indisputable, such as Hadīth texts, exegesis in which there is consensus, obligatory faith, and the field of asceticism. Among the most valuable books in this category is Al-Nawawi's Riyād al-Sālihīn, because it is restricted to sound Hadīths and is devoid of Bid‘ah (religious innovation).” [Īthār al-Haqq ‘ala al-Khalq, p. 33]* Al-Hāfiz Al-Sakhāwi (d. 902 AH) said:
“Riyād al-Sālihīn is a valuable book that is indispensable.” [Al-Nawawi's Biography, p. 12]
* Shaykh Ibn ‘Illān al-Siddīqi (d. 1057 AH) said:
“The book gathers all that the one seeking true knowledge needs in all situations, and contains all the morals that should be adopted and the words and deeds that should be adhered to. Its wealthy source is the Book (the Noble Qur’an) and the Prophetic Sunnah from which he extracted all those gems.” [Muqaddimat Dalīl al-Fālihīn: 1/4)
There is a consensus amongst the general majority of contemporary scholars on recommending Riyād al-Sālihīn.
Examples of these are:
* What Shaykh Faysal ibn Mubārak al-Najdi (d. 1376 AH) said in the course of his advice to the seeker of knowledge:
“And he should read Riyād al-Sālihīn and memorize the last part of it; from the Book of Virtues to the end, for it comprehensively lists what is commanded and what is forbidden, and it disciplines its reader and urges him to do good deeds.”
[Wasiyyah Jāmi‘ah, p. 76]
Shaykh Shu‘ayb al-Arnā’ūt (may Allah, the Exalted, preserve him) said:
“One of the best books written in this regard is Riyād al-Sālihīn. It is the most widely read and circulated book of Hadīth. It is celebrated everywhere and is highly regarded by scholars, authors, preachers, and laymen.” [Muqaddimat Tahqīq Riyād al-Sālihīn, p. 6]
Overall, all the scholars and researchers who cared for the book in terms of verifying its contents and documenting it unanimously agreed on its high status and great benefit.
We ask Allah, the Most High the Most Great, to grant Al-Nawawi the highest level of Paradise and reward him abundantly. We also ask Allah to grant us and all Muslims a good end while being sincerely upon Tawhīd and the Sunnah.
All praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds.