KHS* ISLAMIYAT NOTES SERIES CHAP 2 P2

Face book: Khalid Hameed

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TOPIC # 2: HISTORY, IMPORTANCE & COMPILATIONS OF

HADITH
INTRODUCTION TO HADITH
The Muslims are agreed that the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad is the second of the two
revealed fundamental sources of Islam, after the Glorious Qur'an. The authentic Sunnah is contained
within the vast body of Hadith literature.
A hadith (pl. ahadith) is composed of two parts: the matn (text) and the isnad (chain of
reporters). A text may seem to be logical and reasonable but it needs an authentic isnad with
reliable reporters to be acceptable; 'Abdullah b. al-Mubarak (d. 181 AH), one of the illustrious
teachers of Imam al-Bukhari, said, "The isnad is part of the religion: had it not been for the isnad,
whoever wished to would have said whatever he liked."
During the lifetime of the Prophet and after his death, his Companions (Sahabah) used to refer to
him directly, when quoting his sayings. The Successors (Tabi'een) followed suit; some of them used
to quote the Prophet through the Companions while others would omit the intermediate authority
- such a hadith was later known as mursal. It was found that the missing link between the Successor
and the Prophet might be one person, i.e. a Companion, or two people, the extra person being an
older Successor who heard the hadith from the Companion. The other more important reason was
the deliberate fabrication of ahadith by various sects which appeared amongst the Muslims, in order
to support their views (see later, under discussion of maudu' ahadith). Ibn Sirin (d. 110), a
Successor, said, "They would not ask about the isnad. But when the fitnah (trouble, turmoil, esp. civil
war) happened, they said: Name to us your men. So the narrations of the Ahl al-Sunnah (Adherents
to the Sunnah) would be accepted, while those of the Ahl al-Bid'ah (Adherents to Innovation) would
not be accepted.

MEANING OF HADITH
The talk and/or work and/or the action/practice of the Holy Last Messenger and the silence of
the Holy Last Messenger and practice of anything done before him is also related as Hadiths.
Hadiths of Rasulullah (SAWS) are of three (3) pattern:
(Qawli) - Talk of the Holy Last Messenger . Hadith Qawli is that Hadith that Rasulullah
spoke himself.
(Faali) - The action of Rasulullah . So Hadith Faali is Hadith that Rasulullah has
taught us by his actions without comment.
(Taqriri) - Hadith Taqriri is Hadith which comes from Rasulullahs silence regarding any
action.
Besides these three, there are three other classes of Hadiths:
1.
(Marfua) - Hadiths where the Isnad comes from the teacher from the collector from
the companions.
2.
(Mawqoof) - Hadith Mawqoof is when the Hadith is related by the Sahaba man or
woman, but the isnad does not reach Rasulullah .
3.
(Maqtooa) - is the Hadith where the Tabieen is the end of the Isnad.
All these three can be Qawli, Faali, or Taqriri.
Sanad is Wajib for Hadiths. In the Isnad of the narration from al-Imam al-Bukhari , there are
no more than six (6) persons. One who records Hadiths is called Rawee. Each Rawee must be
Salih, Ahlus-Sunnah, sincere, and strict in Deen.
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STATUS OF HADITH AND THE IMPORTANCE OF HADITH

All things which Allah revealed to Rasulullah (SAWS) are of two categories in terms of delivery.
The first is through the Malaik, meaning Jibreel which we call Wahi-Jalee
. Jalee
means open (revelation) through the Angel. And these revelations together are called Quran
Majeed. The second type is when Allah speaks directly to the qalb (heart) of His Rasul without
the Angel and it is called Wahi-Khafee
and this is the form of the Hadiths. Whatever
Rasulullah said was, in fact, from Allah, because Allah says in Holy Quran: "He does not
speak from his hawaa (desire); it is nothing except Wahee revealed to him."
[Surah an-Najm 3-4]

PARTS OF HADITH
A hadith (pl. Ahadith) is composed of two parts: the Matn (text) and the Isnad (chain
of reporters). A text may seem to be logical and reasonable but it needs an authentic Isnad
with reliable reporters to be acceptable; 'Abdullah b. al-Mubarak (d. 181 AH), one of the
illustrious teachers of Imam al-Bukhari, said, "The Isnad is part of the religion: had it not been
for the Isnad, whoever wished to would have said whatever he liked."
Each of these parts is of equal importance to the traditionist, who treat and consider traditions
with one and the same Isnad and different texts as well as traditions with identical texts and
different Isnad as entirely independent traditions.

MATN
The Matn (text) must seem to be logical and reasonable. This part of Hadith consists of the
words of Prophet (SAWS) himself for example: Pray as you see me offering prayers is treated
as MATN of Hadith. Matn as the report of the sayings of Prophet (SAWS) helps to build up a
picture of his teachings and thus a basis for Muslims Beliefs and Practices.

ISNAD
Isnad is the chain of narrators or transmitters of the Matn/Text of Hadiths. This is the 1 st part of
Hadith consists of a chain of the names transmitters. These narrators are also known as
Muhaddisin. The Traditionist have given a great importance to Isnad and treated it as an
indispensable part of every Hadith. Isnad is the plural of Sanad which means to verify, certify or
authenticate. So Isnad means the authentication of a Hadith here.

DEGREES OF HADITH

AUTHENTIC OR SAHIH HADITH: A SAHIH Hadith is that Hadith which is not contrary to the
teachings of Quran and other Ahadith. Its Sanad must be full and unbroken and each narrator
mentioned in it must be known for his knowledge, piety, memory and trustworthiness and the
chain of information must go back to the Holy Prophet (SAWS).
APPROVED OR HASAN HADITH: If other conditions remains the same except its narrators or
some of its narrators have been found defective in memory, it is known as Approved/ Hasan
Hadith.
ZAEEF OR WEAK HADITH: If anyones of the narrators had have bad memory or was known to
be a liar, it is called as Weak or Daeef Hadith.
FABRICATED: If a Hadith had never been said by Holy Prophet (SAWS) but any narrator had
related a statement to him, then it would be treated as fabricated Hadith.

STAGES FOR COLLECTION & COMPILATION OF AHADITH

Out of the books that the majority of Muslims believe in as being authentic, Sahih Bukhari is
presented as being the MOST authentic. However an analysis of the history of the books shows
that it is anything but authentic.
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FIRST STAGE {199 A.H}-Life time of Prophet (SAWS) & Companions:
Scribes of Prophet (SAWS) were allowed to record the Sayings of Holy Prophet (SAWS) through a
Wahi, thus Holy Prophet (SAWS) instructed his companions not only to record but to collect them
at one place in order to verify and to derive explanations of the divine laws. The immediate
followers and scribes obliged the advise and started gathering the scattered Ahadith during his
lifetime in the earlier part of the First Hijra Century.
SECOND STAGE {99166 A.H.}- Companions & Tabieen:
MUSNAD COLLECTIONS:
Al-Hakim defines a Musnad ("supported") Hadith as follows: "A Hadith which a traditionist
reports from his Sheikh from whom he is known to have heard (Ahadith) at a time of life
suitable for learning, and similarly in turn for each Sheikh, until the Isnad reaches a well- known
Companion, who in turn reports from the Prophet (SAWS)."

Musnad Collections mean that the Ahadith have the sound links, traced back without
interruption to one of the companions who can refer back to the Prophet(SAWS). Musnad
Collections are those collections which were started during the life time of Prophet and was
completed in the age of Companions and Tabieen.
Followings are the Four Musnad Collections:
Musnad of Hazrat Abu Bakr (RA)
.. 6000+
Musnad of Hazrat Abu Hurairah (RA)
.. 5374
Musnad of Hazrat Ayesha Siddiqa (RAH)
.. 2210
Musnad of Hazrat Imam Ahmed bin Hanbal (RA)
.......... 30,000 out of 750,000
THIRD STAGE {166-300 A.H.}- [Taba Tabieen]
Musannaf Collections:
Those Ahadith which have been grouped into Chapters and Sub-Chapters as per their themes
such as Purity, Prayer, Fasting, Zakat, Pilgrimage, Marriage and inheritance etc. In Musannaf
Collections, Ahadith are arranged topic wise, so it is easy for a reader to find out the sayings of
Prophet . The work of Musannaf Collections was started in 176 AH but the first Compilation
was completed in the Third Century in the age of TABA TABIEEN. Followings are the Musannaf
Collections:
*
Al- Muwatta
by: Hazrat Imam Maalik Bin Anas (contains 1720 Ahadith.
*
Al- Musannaf
by: Hazrat Imam Abdul Razzaq al Sanani (contains 1033 Ahadith)
*
Sahih al Bukhari
by: Hazrat Imam Abdullah Muhammad bin Ismail
Bukhari(contains 7397 Ahadith)
*
Sahih al Muslim
by: Hazrat Imam Muslim bin Hajjaj
*
Sunan al Nasai
by: Hazrat Imam Abdur Rehman bin Ali an Nasai
*
Sunan Abu Daud
by: Hazrat Imam Abu Daud Suleiman
*
Sunan ibn Majah
by: Hazrat Imam Abu Abdullah Ibn Majah
*
Jam-e-Tirmizi
by: Hazrat Imam Abu Issa Muhammad Bin Tirmidhi
FORMS OF COMPILATIONS
Following are the several forms in which Ahadith were compiled:

Sahifa - - Wahi

Al-Jamey

Musnad - - as per sequence of

Sunan
Sayings of Prophet (SAWS)

Sahih

Musannaf - - topics/themes wise

Daif
arranged/grouped Ahadith

HISTORY OF COLLECTIONS / COMPILATION OF HADITHS

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1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Out of the books that the majority of Muslims believe in as being authentic, Sahih
Bukhari is presented as being the MOST authentic. However an analysis of the
history of the books shows that it is anything but authentic.
EARLY COLLECTIONS: [1 AH 186 AH]
MUSNAD COLLECTIONS that Ahadith those have the sound links, traced back
without interruption to one of the companions who can refer back to the Prophet.
They are those collections which were started during the life time of Prophet and
was completed in the age of Companions and Tabieen. They were Musnad of Hazrat
Abu Bakr (RA) with 6000+ ahadith, Musnad of Hazrat Abu Hurairah (RA) with 5374
ahadith, Musnad of Hazrat Ayesha Siddiqa (RAH) with 2210 ahadith, Musnad of
Hazrat Imam Ahmed bin Hanbal (RA) with 30,000 out of 750,000 ahadith.
Musannaf Collections are those Ahadith which have been grouped into Chapters and
Sub-Chapters as per their themes. The work of Musannaf Collections was started in
176 AH but the first Compilation was completed in the Third Century in the age of
TABA TABIEEN. Followings are the Musannaf Collections which are known as Early
Collections/Compilation: Al- Muwatta by Hazrat Imam Maalik Bin Anas (contains 1720
Ahadith) and Al- Musannaf by Hazrat Imam Abdul Razzaq al Sanani (contains 1033
Ahadith).

SIX MAJOR HADITH COLLECTIONS/ LATER COLLECTIONS: [186AH286 AH]

The six major Hadith collections (Arabic: al-Kutub al-Sittah) are collections of hadith
by Islamic scholars who, approximately 200 years after Muhammad's death and
by their own initiative, collected hadith attributed to Muhammad . They are
sometimes referred to as Al-Sihah al-Sittah, which translates to "The Authentic Six.
Muslims view the Six major Hadith collections as their most important. They are, in
order of authenticity:

Sahih Bukhari, collected by Imam Bukhari (d. 870), includes 7275 hadiths
Sahih Muslim, collected by Muslim b. al-Hajjaj (d. 875), includes 9200
Sunan al-Sughra, collected by al-Nasa'i (d. 915)
Sunan Abi Da'ud, collected by Abu Da'ud (d. 888)
Sunan al-Tirmidhi, collected by al-Tirmidhi (d. 892)
This one is disputed. Sometimes referred to as Al-Muwatta, collected by Imam Malik (d.
796) and sometimes, Sunan Ibn Majah, collected by Ibn Majah (d. 886). Some have even
considered Sunan al-Darami to be the sixth.

The first two are referred to as the Two Sahihs as an indication of their authenticity.
Combined the Two Sahihs contain approximately seven thousand hadith without
repitition according to Ibn Hajar.

The authors:

According to the Cambridge History of Iran: "After this period commences the age of the
authors of the six canonical collections of Sunni Hadith, all of whom were Persian. The
authors of the six collections are as follows:

1. Muhammad b. Isma'il al-Bukhari, the author of the Sahih Bukhari, which he

composed over a period of sixteen years. Traditional sources quote Bukhari as
saying that he did not record any hadith before performing ablution and praying.
Bukhari died near Samarqand in 256/869-70. Imam Bukhari (194-265 AH), the
life of Imam Muhammad ibn Ismail al-Bukhari (from Bukhara, in what is today
Uzbekistan), written by `Allma Ghulm Rasl Sa`d, translated by `Allmah

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Ishfaq Alam Qadri and M. Iqtidar (Minhaj-ul-Qur'an, March 1995, pp. 30-37).
Bukhari had 7275 traditions validated out of a material of 600,000.

2. Muslim b. Hajjaj al-Naishapuri, who died in Nishapur in 261/ 874-5 and whose
Sahih Muslim is second in authenticity only to that of Bukhari. Imam Muslim (202
or 206-261 AH / 817 or 821-875 CE) the life of Muslim ibn Hajjaj al-Qushayri alNaysaburi (from Naysabur/Nayshapur/Nishapur, in northeastern Iran), the
compiler of Sahih Muslim; written by Dr. Abdul Hamid Siddiqui. Muslim collected
9,200 out of a total 300,000. Among of the high number of omitted traditions
many were left out for being duplicates.

3. Abu Da'ud Sulaiman b. Ash'ath al-Sijistani, a Persian but of Arab descent, who
died in 275/888-9. Imam Abu Da'ud (202-275 AH) Abu Da'ud Sulaiman ibn
Ash`ath Sijistani compiler of the Sunan Abi Da'ud, written by Alimah Alisha
Akaloo.

4. Muhammad b. 'Isa al-Tirmidhi, the author of the well-known as Sunan alTirmidhi, who was a student of Bukhari and died in 279/892-3. Imam Tirmidhi
(209-279 AH) Abu 'Isa, Muhammad ibn 'Isa ibn Sawra al-Tirmidhi, from Tirmidh,
in what today is southern Uzbekistan, just inside the Uzbek border and due north
of the Afghan city of Mazar-e Sharif.

5. Abu 'Abd al-Rahman al-Nasa'i, who was from Khurasan and died in 303/915-16.
Imam al-Nasa'i (215-303 AH), Abu 'Abd al-Rahman Ahmad ibn Shu'ayb ibn 'Ali ibn
Sinan ibn Bahr al-Khurasani al-Nasa'i, from Nasa', which today is in
Turkmenistan. His most well-knownhadith collection is called the Sunan al-Nasa'i
or more precisely al-Sunan al-mujtaba (The Selected Sunan), which is actually a
selection of a larger work of his, al-Sunan al-kubra, which still appears not to
have been published.

6. Ibn Maja al-Qazwini, who died in 273/886-7." Imam Ibn Majah (209-273 AH),
Abu 'Abdallah Muhammad ibn Yazid al-Rab'i al-Qazwini, from Qazwin in Iran. His
hadith collection is called the Sunan Ibn Majah.

Other THREE important compilers:

Imam Malik ibn Anas (93-179 AH), compiler of the Muwatta and origin of the Maliki
MASLAK (school of law); written by Dr. G. F. Haddad.
Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal (d. 241 AH), compiler of the Musnad Ibn Hanbal and origin
of the Hanbali MASLAK (school of law); written by Dr. G. F. Haddad.

Authenticity of the Hadith:

There has been a great deal of discussion amongst the scholars regarding the
authenticity of the Hadith (Mursal or pl. Marasil), since it is quite probable that a
Successor might have omitted two names, those of an elder Successor and a
Companion, rather than just one name, that of a Companion. The major basis to
ensure the authenticity of Hadiths is Matn and Sanad. MATN means the text of
Hadith which must seem to be logical and reasonable. This consists of the words
of Prophet (SAWS) himself

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for example: Pray as you see me offering prayers is treated as MATN of Hadith.
Matn as the report of the sayings of Prophet (SAWS) helps to build up a picture of his
teachings and thus a basis for Muslims Beliefs and Practices; whereas the SANAD is
the chain of narrators or transmitters of the Matn/Text of Hadiths. This is the 1 st part
of Hadith consists of a chain of the names transmitters. These narrators are also
known as Muhaddisin. The Traditionist have given a great importance to Isnad and
treated it as an indispensable part of every Hadith. Isnad is the plural of Sanad which
means to verify, certify or authenticate. So Isnad means the authentication of a
Hadith here.

Memorization and Compilation of Hadith:

Memorization of Hadith and the Muhadditheen after Sahaabah. A great number of

students of Sahaabah called Tabieen and their students called Taba-Tabieen
dedicated their lives for the learning and memorizing of Hadith. Their memory power
was also miraculous. It is mentioned that Hadhrat Imam Ahmed bin Hanbal had
memorized seven lakh Ahaadith by heart. About Imam Bukhari it is well known that
he was remembering two lakh Ahaadith out of which one lakh were Sahih, authentic.
Imam Abu Zara and Imam Rahuia were also amongst distinguished Hufaaz of Hadith.

Some of other Hadith Books of First Century Hijrah

1. itab Hazrat Khalid Bin Waleed (ra)

bin Maidan.

2. Kutb. Hasan Bisri.

3. Kutb.Muhammad-al-Baqar.

4. Kutb. Makhool Shami.

5. Kitab Hakam bin Utba.

6. Kitab Syed bin Jusain.

7. Kitab Abu-al-Aaliya.

8. Kitab. Umar bin Abdul Aziz.

9. Kitab Bashir bin Nuhaik.

Some Hadith Books of Second Century Hijrah

1. Mota Imam Maalik.

6. Kitab Yahya bin Abi Kathir.

2. Jamia Sufiyan Thouri.

7. Jamia Sufiyan bin Uyainiya.

3. Jamia Moamer bin Rashid.

8. Kitab-ul-AatherHanifah.

4. Kitab
Auzaaee.

9. Musannaf Abdul Razaq bin

Humam.

5. Kitab-u-Zuhd- Abdullahb bin

Mubarak.

10.

Abdul

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Imam

Abu

Kutb. Imam Shaafee.

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Tafsir of Hadith:

This means that whatever comes on the tongue of Sayyidina Rasulullah whether
speaking to his wives, the Sahabi, or others, all is from Allah. Hazrat Abdullah bin
Umar used to record every word of Rasulullah (SAWS). Some people advised him
that he should not record everything that he said because Rasulullah may say this
in a state of happiness or sadness and they should not be recorded. But, Hazrat Ibni
Umar did take their advice and he ceased to record everything that Rasulullah
said in his presence by pen and paper. So, he went to Rasulullah and told him that
people had suggested to him to stop writing everything that the Rasul had said,
so he asked if he should continue. And his answer was that Rasulullah pointed
with his finger to his mouth and said, "I swear by the One who gave me life that
whatever comes from my mouth is nothing but Haq, no matter what state I am in."
Hadith Sharif is very important because Sayyidina Rasulullah gave permission to
record the Hadiths. This means that he gave an order to Ibni Umar and the order
of the Holy Nabi is Fardh. This Hadith is in the Sahih Ibni Dawud. [Arabic p. 514]

Al-Hadith is the commentary and explanation of Al-Quran al-Majeed. From the Holy
Quran, which says:

We have revealed the Quran to you that you may comment on it an explain it."

(This Ayat explains the necessity for al-Hadith). For this reason, the Sahaabah found
it important to narrate Hadiths as they are the explanation of the Holy Quran.
Someone asked Hazrat Ali if Rasulullah had given him any special Kitab that no
one knew of. Hazrat Ali was in this time as Caliph and So that question was asked
in connection with this. Hazrat Ali replied, "I have nothing other than the Holy
Quran which everyone has and this little book of Hadiths which I have written from
Rasulullah , which is kept in the sheath of my sword".
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IMPORTANT QUESTIONS FOR CHAPTER 2 PAPER 2

2.1 (a)

What part do Hadiths play in Islamic legal thinking?

[10]
(b) What is the importance of consensus (Ijma) in Islam?
[4]
2.2 (a)
How did the compilers of Hadiths (Muhadditheen) judge between
acceptable
and unacceptable Hadiths?
[10]
(b)
How are the Quran and Hadith employed in working out Islamic law?
[4]
2.3 (a)
How have the Hadiths of the Prophet been used as a source of guidance
by Muslims?
[10]
(b)
Truly, My mercy overcomes My wrath. This is a Hadith Qudsi. What is
special about
Hadiths of this kind?
[4]
2.4(a)
Describe the methods employed by the compilers of the major books of
Hadith to
ensure the Hadiths they collected were authentic.
[10]
(b)
Why is it important for Muslims to have collections of authentic Hadiths?
[4]
2.5 (a)
Outline the main teachings of the Hadiths you have studied about the
importance of

Muslim communal life.

[10]
(b)
Explain the main differences of the Musnad and the Musannaf Hadiths.
[4]

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