A Simple Guide to ISLAM
Hadith – Traditions
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The main attention of scholars who engaged themselves in the
critical scrutiny of hadith was given to the recorded chains of
witnesses
(isnad)
; whether the dates of birth and death and places
of residence of witness in different generations were such as to
have made it possible for them to meet, and whether they were
trustworthy. This activity, to be properly carried out, involved some
feelings for the authenticity or plausibility of the text itself; an
experienced traditionist would develop a sense of discrimination.
By the use of these criteria the hadith scholars were able to classify
them according to their degrees of reliability.
All traditions therefore fall into three general categories: Sahih
(
sound
), having a reliable and uninterrupted
isnad
and a
matn
that
does not contradict orthodox belief;
hasan
(good) those with an
incomplete isnad or with transmitters of questionable authority.
Dhaif
(weak) those whose matn or transmitters are subject to
serious criticism.
This is the period in which the author of six authentic collections of
traditions were compiled. These works are considered standard
works on Hadith, Known as
sihah-e-sittah
, the six correct books.
1. Muhammad b. Ismail al Bukhari, born in 194 and died in 236
A.H. His
Sahih
is next to the Qur'an in authenticity.
2. Muslim bin Qushairi’s
Sahih
is the next important work. He was
born in 204 A.H. and died in 261 A.H.
3. Ibn Majah compiled the book known as
Sunan
. He was born in
202 and died in 275 A.H.
