What is the literally meaning of hadith?
Hadith is an Arabic word, which literally means statement, talk, story, conversation or
communication. It also means new. “Hadith is a talk and which may be brief or elaborated.”
Technically Hadith means the narration of the sayings, doings or approvals (Taqrir) of
Muhammad (peace be upon him)
the collected traditions of the Prophet Muhammad, based on his sayings and actions
Hadith refers to the sayings or narrations of the Prophet Muhammad ’ﷺs speech, his deeds, acts of
approval & disapproval (verbal or by way of action) about something.
Purpose
The two major sources of the religion of Islam is the Quran and Hadith. These two are where the
majority of the teachings come from. When looking for guidance, a Muslim often refers back to one of
these two in order to educate themselves on a topic. The Quran is the central religious text of Islam.
3 Basic Components
Hadith, in general, is made up of three basic components:
ISNAD (Sequence of Reporters) – This is the chain of narrators through which the Hadith has spread.
TARAF (Introductory Text) – This is the beginning of the text which refers to the actions or characteristics
of the Holy Prophet ﷺ.
MATN (Content) – This is the main text of the Hadith, or the actual speech of the Prophet ﷺ.
The following are the five basic categorisations of Hadith:
1) According to Reference to a Particular Authority
2) According to the Links of Isnad (Sequence of Reporters)
3) According to the Number of Reporters
4) According to Nature of Matn and Isnad
5) According to Authenticity of Correspondents
1) According to Reference to a Particular Authority
Qudsi: meaning “Divine”. These were sent directly from Allah to the Prophet ﷺ, who then passed it on to
his companions
Marfu`: meaning “Elevated”. These were directly heard from the Prophet ﷺby His companions.
Mauquf: meaning “Stopped”. It is a kind of command which was directly given by Prophet ﷺto his
companions who forwarded it.
Maqtu`: meaning “Severed”. It is a form of Instruction which cannot be traced back to the Prophet ﷺ, but
to one of his companions, who explained it in their own words
2) According to the Links of Isnad (Sequence of Reporters)
Musnad: meaning “Supported”. Reported by a well known companion of the Holy Prophet ﷺ, although
the final narrator might not have been with him at that time.
Muttasil: meaning “Continuous”. The one with undisturbed Isnad (Sequence of Reporters) which only
goes back to a companion or successor.
Mursal: meaning “Hurried”. A Hadith quoted by one of the following generations directly in the name of
the Prophet without the name of any of the Companions being mentioned.
Munqati`: meaning “Broken”. Hadiths which have one or more than one narrators missing, but not
consecutively.
Mu`adal: meaning “Perplexing”. Hadiths with two or more narrators missing successively.
Mu`allaq: meaning “Hanging”. Hadiths in which one or more narrators are not known at the beginning of
the sanad (Sequence of Reporters) or none of the narrators are known.
3) According to the Number of Reporters
This can be is divided into two groups:
Mutawatir: meaning “Consecutive”. Hadith being reported by such a large number of rightful companions
that it is agreed upon as authentic.
Ahad: meaning “Isolated”. Hadith which has been narrated by a countable number of people.
Ahad has been further categorised into three sub-types:
Mash’hur: meaning “Famous”. Hadith which is related by more than two individuals from each
generation.
Aziz: meaning “Rare yet Strong”. Hadith having only two reporters in its Isnad (Sequence of Reporters).
Gharib: meaning “Strange”. Saying of Holy Prophet ﷺwith only one narrator in its Isnad (Sequence of
Reporters).
4) According to Nature of Matn and Isnad
Munkar: meaning “Denounced”. Hadith which contradicts an authentic Hadith and belongs to a weak
narrator.
Mudraj: meaning “Interpolated”. Hadith with some additional words to the authentic Hadith by its
narrator.
5) According to Authenticity of Correspondents
Sahih: meaning “Sound”. Hadith reported by a trustworthy reporter known for his truthfulness, knowledge,
correct way of narrations etc.
Hasan: meaning “Good”. Hadith whose reporters are known and have solid character but weak memory.
Da`if: meaning “Weak”. Hadith ranking under Hasan (good) because of a shortcoming in the Isnad
(Sequence of Reporters).
Maudu`: meaning “Fabricated”. Hadith having wording opposite to the confirmed Prophetic traditions.
Stages of Collection of Hadith
FIRST STAGE- Undertaken during the lifetime of the Prophet
SECOND STAGE- With the Holy Prophet’s death
THIRD STAGE- Generation that had seen and heard the Holy Prophet
FOURTH STAGE- Before the middle of the second century
FINAL STAGE- Third century of Hijra
SELECTION OF HADITH
• A group of trustworthy scholars set on to free the Hadith from falsities.
• Sort out the good from the bad
• Developed and Adopted a strict scientific method called the principle or method of “Ilm al-Riwaya
2 PARTS OF THE METHODOLOGY OR SCIENCE OF TRANSMISSION (ILM AL-RIWAYA)
• Determining the chain (isnad)
• Ascertaining the mata, or the real text, the real substance of the reported Hadith
COMPILATION OF THE HADITH (AL-MASANUD AND AL-MUSSANAF
• Consist of those traditions compiled in accordance with the sources of authority for their narration
• Musnad of the Imam ibn Hanbal compiled by Imam Hanbal
• Traditions were classified in accordance with the various topics of jurispridence.
• Al-Muwatta by Imam Malik
•
DISTINCTIONS BETWEEN HADITH AND THE SUNNAH
HADITH
• It is a saying conveyed to man either through hearing or through revelation
• Saying of the Holy Prophet
• Narration record of Sunnah but containing in addition the prophetical and historical elements
SUNNAH
• Sunnah (pl. sunnan) literally means “a way, rule, manner, or example of acting or mode of life”
• Indicates doing
• Practices of the Holy Prophet
3 STAGES OF SUNNAH
1. CONFIRMATORY SUNNAH
2. INTERPRETIVE SUNNAH
3. RULES ESTABLISHING (Legislative Sunnah)
