How were the hadith preserved throughout history?How did scholars ensure that the hadith used for establishing shariah are authentic?Who were the great scholars who devoted their lives to the preservation of hadith?In this short treatise, the author, Shaikh Ibrahim Madani, has simplified much of the information found only in the larger texts on the science of hadith. In addition, he highlights the authority of hadith in Islam and how they were preserved. This book is an excellent start for those who wish to gain a basic understanding of this subject, but cannot invest the time or means to do so.

Muslims believe hadith to be an authority and explanation of the Quran. The task of preserving hadith was taken by Allah himself by means of the Sahabah, the Tabieen and then from generation to generation through unique discipline of hadith sciences. The Sahabah understood that the Prophet ( صلى الله عليه وسلم) was the final messenger sent for mankind and that the task of preserving his teachings would fall upon their shoulders. Prophet ( صلى الله عليه وسلم) instructed them to spread his teachings to those who were absent. They used to give great concern to sitting with the Prophet ( صلى الله عليه وسلم) to hear aḥadith from him as much as possible. They would tell each other what they had learnt from the Prophet ( صلى الله عليه وسلم). The Prophet ( صلى الله عليه وسلم) also warned them in strong words about narrating anything from him which is not authentic. At the same time, Prophet ( صلى الله عليه وسلم) had also warned, that it is a major sin to hide knowledge, whenever it is asked for. Prophet ( صلى الله عليه وسلم) did not restrict himself to giving sermons, he ( صلى الله عليه وسلم) also guided the Sahabah practically. Whenever they learnt anything from the Prophet ( صلى الله عليه وسلم) they spared no effort to bring it into practice. A Large number of the Sahabah wrote down ahadith and compiled Sahifas (booklets) after hearing them from the Prophet ( صلى الله عليه وسلم). A number of young companions devoted themselves to attaining knowledge and then passed it down to the following generations. Tabieen followed the example of Sahabah in preserving ahadith, for example, Urwah bin Zubair (nephew of Aisha), Nafi Mawla of Abdullah bin Umar and Thabit bin Aslam al-Bunani spent forty years with Anas bin Malik. Also, Amra bint Abdirrahman grew up with Aisha learning ahadith. Like the Sahabah, the Tabieen also collected and compiled ahadith in booklets which were incorporated in books by the next generation and most of those that survive today are in that form as part of other larger books like Musnad Ahmad, Saheeh al-Bukhari, Saheeh Muslim, four Sunan and so on. Scholars of ḥadith from the time of the Tabieen developed the science of al-Jarḥ wa Tadeel. This is the science of examining the narrations of different narrators to make a determination about their trustworthiness and thus authenticity of their narrations.

Find out all you need to know about Hadith methodology and literature.

In today’s complex and volatile world the consequences of relying on fraudulent and counterfeit Hadith to legitimize extremist behavior, issue violent fatwas, and justify blatant abuse, particularly of women, is not only far too easy but in fact dangerous. Israr Khan addresses the sensitive topic of Hadith authentication, focusing on the criteria adopted by classical scholars to maintain that concentration on the continuity and accuracy of the chain of narrators, rather than the textual content of Hadith, has led to particular Hadith being included which either contradict other Hadith directly, project the Prophet (SAAS) in an uncharacteristic light, or do not reflect and/or conflict with the teachings of the Qur’an. The study traces in careful detail the historical development of the oral and written traditions, as well as the many targeted attempts at fabrication that took place, critiquing in methodical detail certain Hadith which have come to be widely accepted as “authentic.” The prominent collections we have today, were made possible by the development of the science of Hadith criticism, and Muslim scholars deserve deep appreciation for their painstaking work, as well as their invaluable contribution towards preserving the Hadith literature to the best of their ability. However, insists the author, the process is ongoing, and the closed door policy which currently surrounds Hadith authentication needs to be carefully reexamined.