Book Review: Forty Hadiths by Somuncu Baba – Timeless Wisdom from a Sufi Master

In this review, we’ll explore the life of Somuncu Baba, also known as Shaykh Hamid-i Vali (Şeyh Hamîd-i Veli), and delve into his renowned work, Forty Hadiths (Hadis-i Erbain). This book is one of the three surviving works of this influential 14th-century Sufi master. We’ll discuss who Somuncu Baba was, the significance of the hadiths he selected, and his insightful commentary on some of these hadiths. Let’s begin by understanding the man behind the name.

Who is Somuncu Baba (Shaykh Hamid-i Vali)?

Shaykh Hamid-i Vali, popularly known as "Somuncu Baba", was one of the most prominent Sufi mystics and spiritual leaders of the Ottoman era. Born in 1331 in the village of Akchakaya, Kayseri, his full name was Hamid Hamideddin. His father, Shemseddin Musa Kayseri, was a revered figure among the Mystics of Khorasan, who played a significant role in the Islamization of Anatolia. Additionally, Shaykh Hamid-i Vali is believed to be a 24th-generation descendant of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), which further elevated his spiritual and genealogical stature.

During the reign of Sultan Bayezid I, Shaykh Hamid-i Vali emerged as a prominent scholar and spiritual guide. His nickname, Somuncu Baba, stems from his humble life in Bursa, where he ran a bakery and distributed bread to the poor. This act of service and humility earned him the title “Somuncu Baba” (Father Baker), symbolizing his modest and servant-hearted nature.

Shaykh Hamid-i Vali was not only a spiritual guide but also a profound scholar. His sermon during the opening of the Grand Mosque of Bursa is legendary. In this sermon, he interpreted Surah Fatiha in seven different ways, showcasing his mastery of both exoteric and esoteric knowledge. It is even said that Molla Fenari, the first Sheikh ul-Islam of the Ottoman Empire, drew inspiration from this sermon to write his famous Commentary on Surah Fatiha.

See also: Commentary on Al-Fatiha by Molla Fenari (Summary and Book Review)

Shaykh Hamid-i Vali passed away in 1412 and was buried in Darende, Malatya. His teachings and legacy continue to influence Islamic thought and Sufi practices in Anatolia and beyond.

Why Forty Hadiths?

One of Shaykh Hamid-i Vali’s surviving works is Forty Hadiths, also known as Tuhfetu’l-İhvan or Hadis-i Erbain. But why focus on forty hadiths? The answer lies in a well-known saying of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him): 

“Whoever memorizes forty hadiths related to religion from my ummah will be raised by Allah on the Day of Judgment as a scholar and a jurist.” is found in Jami' al-Saghir by al-Suyuti (Hadith No. 22103)

This prophetic encouragement inspired many Islamic scholars to compile collections of forty hadiths, and Somuncu Baba’s work is one such example. In his book, he not only selects forty hadiths but also provides profound commentary on each, offering spiritual and practical insights for readers.

Key Hadiths and Commentary from Somuncu Baba’s Forty Hadiths Book

While I won’t cover all forty hadiths in this review, I’ll highlight a few that stood out to me, along with Somuncu Baba’s interpretations. 

1. The Reward for Holding Firm to the Sunnah

One of the most striking hadiths in the book is:

“When my ummah falls into corruption, the one who holds firmly to my Sunnah will receive the reward of a hundred martyrs.” (Munzirî, et-Terğîb ve’t-Terhîb, I/80; Taberânî, Evsat, VI/197)

Somuncu Baba’s commentary on this hadith is profound:

“The Prophet (peace be upon him) advises his ummah to adhere to his Sunnah, especially during times of widespread fitnah (tribulation). By resisting the temptations of the nafs (ego) and following the Sunnah, one earns a reward equivalent to that of a hundred martyrs. This highlights the immense value of staying true to the Prophet’s teachings in times of moral and spiritual decline.”

2. The Removal of Knowledge

In the ninth hadith, the Prophet (peace be upon him) speaks about the removal of knowledge from people. Somuncu Baba explains:

“The removal of knowledge occurs when Allah takes away the true scholars—those who deeply understand Him, whose words and actions align with the Sunnah of the Prophet. What remains are those who speak of righteousness but fail to practice it, as Allah says: ‘Why do you say what you do not do?’ (Surah Saff, 61:2). These individuals are reduced to the status of the ignorant.”

This commentary serves as a stark reminder of the importance of aligning one’s actions with their words.

3. Seven People Under Allah’s Shade on Judgment Day

The twelfth hadith describes seven types of people whom Allah will shelter under His shade on the Day of Judgment, when there will be no other shade:

1. A just ruler.
2. A youth who grows up in worship of Allah.
3. A person whose heart is attached to the mosques.
4. Two people who love each other for the sake of Allah, meeting and parting for His sake.
5. A person who remembers Allah in solitude and whose eyes fill with tears.
6. A person who resists the temptation of a powerful and beautiful individual by saying, “I fear Allah, the Lord of the worlds.”
7. A person who gives charity so discreetly that their left hand does not know what their right hand has given.

(Muwatta’, Şi’r, 5; Buhârî, Ezân, 36; Tirmizî, Zuhd, 53)

This hadith beautifully encapsulates the qualities that Allah values most in His servants.

4. The Dialogue Between Allah and the Servant in Prayer

The thirteenth hadith discusses the spiritual dialogue that occurs during prayer, particularly when reciting Surah Fatiha:

“Allah has divided the prayer between Himself and His servant. 

• When the servant says, ‘All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of the worlds,’ Allah responds, ‘My servant has praised Me.’ 
• When the servant says, ‘The Most Gracious, the Most Merciful,’ Allah says, ‘My servant has extolled Me.’ 
• When the servant says, ‘Master of the Day of Judgment,’ Allah says, ‘My servant has glorified Me.’ 
• When the servant says, ‘You alone we worship, and You alone we ask for help,’ Allah says, ‘This is between Me and My servant, and My servant will receive what he asks for.’ 
• When the servant says, ‘Guide us to the straight path,’ Allah says, ‘This is for My servant, and he will receive what he asks for.’”

(Muslim, Salât, 11)

This hadith offers a profound insight into the intimate connection between the worshipper and Allah during prayer.

5. The Virtue of Sending Blessings Upon the Prophet

Another notable hadith is:

“Whoever sends one blessing upon me, Allah will send ten blessings upon them, erase ten sins, and raise them ten degrees in rank.” (Nesâî, Sehv, 56)

Somuncu Baba comments:

“The Prophet (peace be upon him) is the eternal and everlasting Qutb al-Aqtâb (Axis of the Universe). Therefore, it is essential for the seeker to strengthen their connection with him by sending blessings and adhering to his Sunnah. Through this, the seeker draws closer to Allah, removes ten barriers between themselves and Him, and ascends ten degrees in nearness to Allah.”

6. Short but Powerful Hadiths

The book also includes several concise yet deeply meaningful hadiths, such as:

- “The most beloved deeds to Allah are those that are consistent, even if they are small.” (Muslim, Salâtu’l-Musâfirîn, 30; Buhârî, Libâs, 43)

- “Whoever desires to meet Allah, Allah desires to meet them. And whoever dislikes meeting Allah, Allah dislikes meeting them.” (Buharî, Rikâk, 41)

- “Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, let them speak good or remain silent.” (Buhârî, Rikâk, 23)

These hadiths serve as timeless reminders of the importance of sincerity, consistency, and mindfulness in our actions and speech.

Final Thoughts

Forty Hadiths by Somuncu Baba is a treasure trove of spiritual wisdom. Through his selection of forty hadiths and his insightful commentary, Shaykh Hamid-i Vali offers readers a roadmap for living a life rooted in faith, humility, and devotion. His interpretations are not only deeply rooted in Islamic tradition but also highly relevant to the challenges of modern life.

It’s a must-read for anyone seeking to deepen their understanding of the Prophet’s teachings and the spiritual legacy of one of Anatolia’s greatest Sufi masters.

Book Details:

Title: Kırk Hadis – Tuhfetü’l-İhvan | Hadis-i Erbain  

Author: Şeyh Hâmid-i Velî (Somuncu Baba)  

Editor: Prof. Dr. Enbiya Yıldırım  

Publisher: Nasihat Yayınları  

Edition: 3rd Edition  

Year: 2012  

Pages: 180  

ISBN: 978-9944-774-13-0  

Whether you’re a student of Islamic spirituality or simply curious about the teachings of one of history’s most revered figures, Forty Hadiths is a book that will leave a lasting impression.

See also: A Comprehensive Review and Summary of "Muhammad: His Life Based on the Earliest Sources" by Martin Lings

What Are Hadiths? Understanding Their Types, Collection, and Importance

To fully appreciate Somuncu Baba’s Forty Hadiths, it’s essential to understand what hadiths are, their significance in Islam, and how they have been preserved and transmitted over centuries. This section will provide a brief overview of hadiths, their types, the process of their collection, and the most trusted sources of hadith literature.

What Are Hadiths?

Hadiths (plural: ahadith) are the recorded sayings, actions, approvals, and characteristics of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). They serve as a primary source of guidance for Muslims, second only to the Quran. While the Quran is the literal word of Allah, hadiths provide context and practical examples of how the Prophet implemented Islamic teachings in his daily life. Together, the Quran and hadiths form the foundation of Islamic law, ethics, and spirituality.

Types of Hadiths

Hadiths are categorized based on their content, chain of transmission, and reliability. Here are the main types:

Based on Content:

• Qudsi Hadiths: Divine sayings revealed to the Prophet but not part of the Quran. These are considered sacred but are distinct from the Quran.
• Prophetic Hadiths: Sayings, actions, or approvals directly attributed to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

Based on Chain of Transmission (Isnad):

• Mutawatir Hadiths: Narrations reported by such a large number of people that it is impossible for them to have conspired to fabricate the report. These are considered the most reliable.
• Ahad Hadiths: Narrations reported by a smaller number of people. These are further divided into:
• Sahih (Authentic): Narrations with a flawless chain of trustworthy narrators.
• Hasan (Good): Narrations with a slightly weaker chain but still acceptable.
• Da’if (Weak): Narrations with significant weaknesses in their chain or content.
• Mawdu’ (Fabricated): Narrations that are proven to be false or fabricated.

Based on Scope:

• Legal Hadiths: Those that provide guidance on Islamic law and jurisprudence.
• Ethical Hadiths: Those that focus on moral and spiritual teachings.
• Historical Hadiths: Those that describe events during the Prophet’s life.

How Were Hadiths Collected?

The collection of hadiths was a meticulous and scholarly process that began during the Prophet’s lifetime and continued for centuries after his passing. Here’s an overview of how hadiths were preserved:

1. Oral Transmission: During the Prophet’s lifetime, his companions memorized and transmitted his sayings and actions orally. The Prophet emphasized the importance of accurately conveying his teachings.
2. Written Records: Some companions, such as Abdullah ibn Amr ibn al-As, wrote down hadiths during the Prophet’s lifetime. However, widespread written compilation began later.
3. The Era of Compilation: After the Prophet’s death, scholars like Imam al-Bukhari, Imam Muslim, and others traveled extensively to collect and verify hadiths. They developed rigorous criteria to assess the reliability of narrators and the authenticity of each hadith.
4. Classification and Verification: Scholars categorized hadiths based on their chains of transmission (isnad) and content (matn). Only those with unbroken chains of trustworthy narrators and no contradictions to the Quran or established teachings were accepted as authentic.

The Most Trusted Sources of Hadiths

Several scholars compiled collections of hadiths, but six collections, known as the Kutub al-Sittah (Six Books), are considered the most authoritative in Sunni Islam:

1. Sahih al-Bukhari: Compiled by Imam Muhammad al-Bukhari (d. 870 CE), it is regarded as the most authentic book after the Quran. It contains over 7,000 hadiths, meticulously selected from hundreds of thousands.
2. Sahih Muslim: Compiled by Imam Muslim ibn al-Hajjaj (d. 875 CE), it is the second most authentic collection and complements Sahih al-Bukhari.
3. Sunan Abu Dawood: Compiled by Imam Abu Dawood (d. 889 CE), it focuses on legal hadiths and is widely used in Islamic jurisprudence.
4. Jami’ at-Tirmidhi: Compiled by Imam al-Tirmidhi (d. 892 CE), it includes hadiths on a wide range of topics and provides commentary on their authenticity.
5. Sunan an-Nasa’i: Compiled by Imam al-Nasa’i (d. 915 CE), it is known for its focus on legal hadiths and rigorous verification.
6. Sunan ibn Majah: Compiled by Imam ibn Majah (d. 887 CE), it is the sixth of the canonical collections and includes both authentic and weaker hadiths.

In addition to these, other important collections include:

• Muwatta Imam Malik: One of the earliest collections, compiled by Imam Malik ibn Anas (d. 795 CE).
• Musnad Ahmad ibn Hanbal: A vast collection by Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal (d. 855 CE), containing over 30,000 hadiths.

The Importance of Hadiths

Hadiths play a crucial role in Islam for several reasons:

1. Explaining the Quran: They provide context and clarification for Quranic verses.
2. Guiding Daily Life: They offer practical examples of how to implement Islamic teachings in everyday situations.
3. Preserving the Sunnah: They ensure that the Prophet’s way of life (Sunnah) is preserved for future generations.
4. Strengthening Faith: They inspire Muslims by highlighting the Prophet’s character, wisdom, and devotion to Allah.

Conclusion

Understanding the nature, types, and collection of hadiths is essential for appreciating works like Somuncu Baba’s Forty Hadiths. These narrations are not just historical records but living guidance that continues to shape the lives of millions of Muslims worldwide. By studying hadiths, we connect with the Prophet’s teachings and draw closer to the essence of Islam.