The Garden Of The Hadith Scholars

Bustan al-Muḥaddithīn is a renowned anthology covering the sciences of ḥadīth, the major ḥadīth collections, and the great masters of the discipline. Written in Persian in the early nineteenth century by Shah ʿAbd al-ʿAzīz Dihlawī (1745-1822), it has long enjoyed exceptional popularity among Indian scholars of ḥadīth. In both scope and clarity, it surpasses many works authored on the same subject in Arabic, Persian, and other languages.

Shah ʿAbd al-ʿAzīz Muḥaddith Dihlawī

Born in Delhi in 1745, Shah ʿAbd al-ʿAzīz received his early education from his illustrious father, Shah Walī Allāh, as well as from his father’s distinguished students, Shah Muḥammad Āshiq and Mawlānā Khwāja Amīnullāh. He studied fiqh under his father-in-law, Mawlānā Nūrullāh. Upon the passing of Shah Walī Allāh in 1762, Shah ʿAbd al-ʿAzīz succeeded him as head of Madrasah Raḥīmiyyah, soon becoming the foremost Muslim scholar of his era. His students ultimately spread across every region of India, carrying his influence far and wide.