The Evolution of the Arba‘in Tradition in Arabic, Persian and Turkic Literature

This article explores the evolution of the Arba‘in tradition in Arabic, Persian, and Turkic literary contexts, focusing on its transformation from a religious compilation into a distinct literary genre. The study examines how the tradition of collecting and interpreting forty hadiths originated within early Islamic scholarship and later expanded across different cultural and linguistic environments. Special attention is given to the role of Arabic hadith literature in shaping the initial form of the Arba‘in, as well as its subsequent development in Persian and Turkic literatures, where it acquired poetic structure and artistic expression. The works of prominent figures such as Imam al-Nawawi, Abd al-Rahman Jami, and Alisher Navoi are analyzed as key milestones in this process. The article argues that the evolution of the Arba‘in tradition reflects broader processes of cultural transmission, adaptation, and integration within Islamic civilization. It highlights the genre’s role as a bridge between religious knowledge and literary creativity across different historical periods.