The History And Importance Of The Hadiths: The Main Features Of The Six Collections Of Sunni Hadiths And The Four Collections Of Shi‘a HadithsCopy
Sunni & Shi‘a Hadith Collections – Quick Revision Cheat Sheet
Six Authentic Sunni Collections (Al-Sihah al-Sittah)
| Collection | Compiler | Features | Importance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sahih al-Bukhari | Imam al-Bukhari (d. 870 CE) | Most authentic; strict conditions for isnad; ~7,000 Hadith | Considered most reliable Sunni Hadith book |
| Sahih Muslim | Imam Muslim (d. 875 CE) | Focused on consistency of chains; ~4,000 Hadith | Second most authentic; complements Bukhari |
| Sunan Abu Dawud | Imam Abu Dawud (d. 889 CE) | Emphasis on Hadith relevant to fiqh (law); ~4,800 Hadith | Key reference for Islamic jurisprudence |
| Jami‘ al-Tirmidhi | Imam al-Tirmidhi (d. 892 CE) | Classified Hadith into Sahih, Hasan, Da‘if; gave commentary | Important for Hadith grading and fiqh |
| Sunan al-Nasa’i | Imam al-Nasa’i (d. 915 CE) | Highly critical; selected authentic Hadith only | One of the most reliable after Bukhari & Muslim |
| Sunan Ibn Majah | Ibn Majah (d. 887 CE) | Included Hadith not found in others (~4,000) | Completes the Six Books (Sihah Sittah) |
Written and Compiled By Sir Hunain Zia, World Record Holder With 154 Total A Grades, 7 Distinctions and 11 World Records For Educate A Change O Level And IGCSE Islamiyat Full Scale Course
Four Main Shi‘a Hadith Collections (Al-Kutub al-Arba‘a)
| Collection | Compiler | Features | Importance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Al-Kafi | Al-Kulayni (d. 941 CE) | Covers theology, law, ethics; ~16,000 Hadith | Most important Shi‘a Hadith collection |
| Man La Yahduruhu al-Faqih | Ibn Babawayh (al-Saduq) (d. 991 CE) | Focus on practical legal rulings | Key source for Shi‘a fiqh |
| Tahdhib al-Ahkam | Shaykh al-Tusi (d. 1067 CE) | Detailed legal Hadith | Authoritative in Shi‘a jurisprudence |
| Al-Istibsar | Shaykh al-Tusi (d. 1067 CE) | Shorter, summarised Hadith work | Companion to Tahdhib for scholars |
Written and Compiled By Sir Hunain Zia, World Record Holder With 154 Total A Grades, 7 Distinctions and 11 World Records For Educate A Change O Level And IGCSE Islamiyat Full Scale Course
Key Features – Sunni vs Shi‘a
| Sunni Collections | Shi‘a Collections |
|---|---|
| Focus on chains (isnad) and authenticity | Focus on narrations from Ahl al-Bayt (family of Prophet ﷺ) |
| Six major works form basis of Hadith study | Four main books form foundation of Shi‘a Hadith |
| Used by all Sunni schools of law | Central to Shi‘a jurisprudence and theology |
| Prioritise reliability of narrators | Prioritise link to Prophet’s family |
Written and Compiled By Sir Hunain Zia, World Record Holder With 154 Total A Grades, 7 Distinctions and 11 World Records For Educate A Change O Level And IGCSE Islamiyat Full Scale Course
Importance in Islam
- Preserve Sunnah alongside Qur’an.
- Provide legal rulings, moral guidance, theology.
- Sunni & Shi‘a both ensured Hadith science is well-documented.
- Still used globally for law, worship, and daily practice.
Written and Compiled By Sir Hunain Zia, World Record Holder With 154 Total A Grades, 7 Distinctions and 11 World Records For Educate A Change O Level And IGCSE Islamiyat Full Scale Course