Sample Notes: The History of the Compilation of the Hadith

Definition of Hadith

• Linguistic meaning: From Arabic hadith – means “speech,” “narrative,” or “report.”
• Islamic meaning: The sayings, actions, tacit approvals (things the Prophet witnessed but did not forbid), and descriptions of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).
• Includes:
  • Words spoken by the Prophet (pbuh).
  • Actions he performed.
  • His consent to actions done in his presence.
  • Physical description and mannerisms.
• Hadith vs. Sunnah:
  • Sunnah is the practical example of the Prophet’s life.
  • Hadith is the recorded report of the Sunnah.

Role and Importance of Hadith in Islam

• Second only to the Qur’an in authority – both are primary sources of Islamic law.
• Explains Qur’anic commandments:
  • Qur’an commands Salah but does not detail its method; Hadith explains steps, rak‘ahs, and timings.
• Legislation beyond Qur’an: Hadith covers topics not directly addressed in the Qur’an.
• Moral and ethical guidance: Hadith show the Prophet’s personal conduct, patience, humility, generosity, justice, and mercy.
• Historical preservation: Provides detailed record of events during the Prophet’s life.
• Spiritual inspiration: Encourages believers through real-life examples.

Preservation of Hadith During the Prophet’s Lifetime

• The Prophet (pbuh) lived from 570 CE to 632 CE, with 23 years of prophethood (610–632 CE).
• Early period:
  • The Qur’an was the primary focus for memorisation and writing.
  • Prophet discouraged writing Hadith at first to avoid mixing it with Qur’anic text.
• Memorisation:
  • Companions had excellent memory and preserved Hadith orally.
  • Repetition was used for reinforcement.
• Permission to write Hadith:
  • Later, Prophet allowed certain companions to record Hadith once Qur’an was firmly distinguished from other speech.
  • Example: Abdullah ibn Amr ibn al-As (RA) compiled Al-Sahifah al-Sadiqah – about 1,000 Hadith.
• Prominent narrators among Sahabah (companions):
  • Abu Hurairah (RA) – ~5,374 Hadith.
  • Aisha (RA) – ~2,210 Hadith, especially about domestic and personal life.
  • Abdullah ibn Umar (RA) – ~2,630 Hadith.
  • Anas ibn Malik (RA) – ~2,286 Hadith.

Transmission After the Prophet’s Death

• First generation: Sahabah (companions).
  • They spread Hadith as they travelled to govern, trade, or teach Islam.
• Second generation: Tabi‘un (students of companions).
  • Learned directly from Sahabah, preserved Hadith through memorisation and notes.
• Third generation: Tabi‘ al-Tabi‘in (students of the Tabi‘un).
  • Many became early Hadith compilers.

Reasons for Formal Compilation

1. Passing away of companions: Risk of Hadith loss with each generation.
2. Geographical spread: Islam spread rapidly to non-Arab regions – risk of language barriers.
3. Emergence of fabricated Hadith: Political, sectarian, or personal motives led to false attributions to the Prophet (pbuh).
4. Need for consistency: Scholars wanted an agreed, verified set of narrations.
5. Protection of Sunnah: Ensured the Prophet’s way was preserved exactly.

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

• The first Caliphs encouraged Hadith study but emphasised accuracy.
• Caliph Umar ibn Abdul Aziz (r. 717–720 CE):
  • Realised that senior scholars were dying and false Hadith were appearing.
  • Ordered governors to collect Hadith from reliable scholars.
  • This was the first official state-backed Hadith compilation initiative.
• Notable early compilers:
  • Ibn Shihab al-Zuhri – considered among the first to systematically collect Hadith in written form.

Development of Compilation (2nd Century AH / 8th Century CE)

• Scholars began creating organised collections.
• They travelled across the Muslim world to verify Hadith.
• Notable works:
  • Al-Muwatta by Imam Malik ibn Anas:
    • Combination of Hadith and sayings of companions and successors.
    • Written in Medina – highly valued for its authenticity due to proximity to original sources.
• Method:
  • Recording both chain (isnad) and text (matn).
  • Comparing multiple chains for reliability.

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

• Peak of Hadith scholarship.
• Scholars developed strict criteria:
  1. Continuous chain of trustworthy narrators.
  2. Narrators known for strong memory and moral character.
  3. No contradiction with Qur’an or stronger Hadith.
• Major canonical collections (Kutub al-Sittah – Six Authentic Books):
  1. Sahih al-Bukhari – Imam al-Bukhari (810–870 CE):
     • Travelled widely to gather Hadith.
     • Examined over 600,000 reports, included ~7,275 with repetitions (~2,600 unique).
     • Accepted only narrations meeting the highest standards.
  2. Sahih Muslim – Imam Muslim ibn al-Hajjaj (817–875 CE):
     • Similar criteria to Bukhari, with some differences in isnad acceptance.
  3. Sunan Abu Dawud – Abu Dawud al-Sijistani: Focus on legal Hadith.
  4. Jami‘ al-Tirmidhi – Imam al-Tirmidhi: Included classification and commentary.
  5. Sunan al-Nasa’i – Imam al-Nasa’i: High authenticity standards, especially in legal matters.
  6. Sunan Ibn Majah – Imam Ibn Majah: Contains some Hadith not found in other five collections.

Hadith Authentication Sciences

• Ulum al-Hadith (Science of Hadith): The methodology for assessing authenticity.
• Isnad: Chain of narrators; examined for continuity and reliability.
• Matn: Text of the Hadith; checked for logical consistency and absence of hidden defects (‘illah).
• Jarh wa Ta‘dil: Criticism and accreditation of narrators – assessing honesty, accuracy, memory.
• Classification by authenticity:
  • Sahih – authentic.
  • Hasan – good.
  • Da‘if – weak.
  • Mawdu‘ – fabricated.

Protection from Fabrication

• Fabrication appeared for reasons such as politics, sectarianism, or exaggerating virtues of tribes.
• Scholars responded with:
  • Rigorous isnad verification.
  • Rejecting narrations with unreliable transmitters.
  • Publicly naming fabricators.

Profiles of Major Compilers

• Imam al-Bukhari:
  • Born in Bukhara, memorised thousands of Hadith by teenage years.
  • Travelled to Makkah, Medina, Baghdad, Egypt, and beyond to collect Hadith.
  • His Sahih is considered the most authentic book after the Qur’an.
• Imam Muslim:
  • Student of Bukhari, refined collection with slightly different criteria.
  • His Sahih Muslim complements Bukhari’s work.
• Imam Malik:
  • Lived in Medina, relied heavily on narrations from people of the city.
  • Al-Muwatta is both Hadith and legal opinions.

Importance of Compilation for Muslims

• Preservation of Sunnah: Ensures exact record of the Prophet’s life and teachings.
• Legal reference: Shariah rulings derived from Qur’an and authentic Hadith.
• Moral example: Shows practical application of Qur’anic principles.
• Unity: Provides a common, verified foundation for Islamic practice across cultures.

Chronological Timeline of Hadith Compilation

1. During Prophet’s lifetime (610–632 CE): Oral preservation, some written.
2. 1–50 AH: Companions teach Tabi‘un; small personal collections.
3. 50–100 AH: Umar ibn Abdul Aziz orders official compilation.
4. 100–150 AH: Early works like Al-Muwatta.
5. 200–300 AH: Golden Age; Kutub al-Sittah compiled.

Relevance of Hadith Study Today

• Essential for understanding Qur’an in depth.
• Guides Muslims in worship, morality, and social conduct.
• Helps protect against innovations in religion by providing the authentic Prophetic example.
• A core subject in Islamic scholarship and education.