Sample Cheat Sheet: The History of the Compilation of the Hadith

Cheat Sheet – The History of the Compilation of the Hadiths

Meaning of Hadith

• Linguistic: “Speech,” “narrative,” “report” in Arabic.
• Islamic: Sayings, actions, approvals, and descriptions of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).
• Relation to Sunnah: Hadith records the Sunnah (Prophetic example).

Importance of Hadith

• Explains Qur’anic commands in detail.
• Adds laws not directly in the Qur’an.
• Preserves Prophet’s character and example.
• Provides moral, social, and legal guidance.

Preservation During the Prophet’s Lifetime

• Oral memorisation: Main method due to strong memory culture in Arabia.
• Limited writing at first: Prophet discouraged writing to prevent mixing with Qur’an.
• Permission given later: Certain companions recorded Hadith once Qur’an was secure.
• Example: Abdullah ibn Amr ibn al-As – Al-Sahifah al-Sadiqah (~1,000 Hadith).

Major Early Narrators

• Abu Hurairah (RA) – ~5,374 Hadith.
• Aisha (RA) – ~2,210 Hadith.
• Anas ibn Malik (RA) – ~2,286 Hadith.
• Abdullah ibn Umar (RA) – ~2,630 Hadith.

Transmission After Prophet’s Death

• Generations:
  1. Sahabah – companions.
  2. Tabi‘un – students of companions.
  3. Tabi‘ al-Tabi‘in – students of the Tabi‘un.
• Hadith spread across regions as companions migrated.

Reasons for Compilation

• Death of companions.
• Spread of Islam into non-Arab lands.
• Appearance of fabricated Hadith.
• Need for consistent, reliable guidance.

Early Compilation Stage (1st Century AH / 7th Century CE)

• Caliph Umar ibn Abdul Aziz (717–720 CE) ordered official Hadith collection.
• Ibn Shihab al-Zuhri – among first systematic compilers.

Development Stage (2nd Century AH / 8th Century CE)

• Scholars travelled to verify Hadith.
• Early written works:
  • Al-Muwatta – Imam Malik ibn Anas (Medina).
  • Contained Hadith plus sayings of companions and successors.

Golden Age of Compilation (3rd Century AH / 9th Century CE)

• Rigorous authentication methods:
  • Reliable chain (isnad).
  • Continuous transmission.
  • Moral integrity of narrators.
  • No contradiction with Qur’an or stronger Hadith.
• Kutub al-Sittah (Six Major Books):
  1. Sahih al-Bukhari – Imam al-Bukhari (~2,600 Hadith without repetition).
  2. Sahih Muslim – Imam Muslim.
  3. Sunan Abu Dawud – focus on legal Hadith.
  4. Jami‘ al-Tirmidhi – includes classification and commentary.
  5. Sunan al-Nasa’i – high authenticity standard.
  6. Sunan Ibn Majah – contains some Hadith not in the other five.

Key Hadith Science Terms

• Isnad: Chain of narrators.
• Matn: Text/content of the Hadith.
• Jarh wa Ta‘dil: Criticism and accreditation of narrators.

Hadith Classification

• Sahih: Authentic.
• Hasan: Good.
• Da‘if: Weak.
• Mawdu‘: Fabricated.

Reasons for Fabrication

• Political and sectarian motives.
• Tribal or personal pride.
• To encourage or discourage certain actions (even if wrongly).

Modern Relevance

• Essential for understanding Qur’an in detail.
• Source of Islamic law, ethics, and worship guidance.
• Protects against innovations by preserving the authentic Sunnah.