Week 01
Day 04 [Paper 02]
Methods to check the authenticity of Hadith
O/N 2009
2 (a) Describe the methods employed by the compilers of the major books of Hadith to ensure the Hadiths
they collected were authentic. [10]
M/J 2010
2 (a) How did the compilers of Hadiths (muhaddithun) judge between acceptable and unacceptable
Hadiths? [10]
O/N 2013
2 (a) Write about the structure of a Hadith and describe the main methods used by the compilers of Hadiths
to establish their genuineness. [10]
M/J 2014
2 (a) What rules did the writers of the six authentic books (Sihah Sitta) apply to ensure the authenticity of
Hadiths? [10]
M/J 2015
2 (a) Write an account of the parts that make up a Hadith, and describe the checks made by the collectors
of the Hadiths to ensure the accuracy of their collections. [10]
M/J 2016
2 (a) Write a detailed account of the parts of a Hadith and say how these parts help in determining the
different categories of Hadiths, namely: sahih; hasan; da’if and mawdu’. [10]
M/J 2017
2(a) Write a descriptive account of the terms isnad and matn of a Hadith and the role they play in
establishing the genuineness of a Hadith. [10]
O/N 2018
2(a) What measures were taken in early Islamic times to check the reliability of Hadiths? [10]
M/J 2019
2(a) Give a detailed account of the checks made on the text and narrators of Hadiths. (10)
Answer [Learn and write]:
Up to the beginning of the 3rd century of Islam, the compilers of Hadith did not classify Hadiths according to their
authenticity. Famous scholar Muhammad bin Ismail al-Bukhari was the first person to conceive the idea of compiling
authentic hadith by checking the reliability of the Isnad and Matn of every Hadith. Following his footsteps, other scholars
also compiled authentic books which later came to be known as Sihah al Sitta or the six authentic books.
For checking the authenticity, these scholars divided every hadith in two parts i.e Isnad (chain of transmitters) and Matn
(Text).
Isnad:
The first part of the Hadith is the chain of names. These are the authorities who are called narrators or Muhaddisin. It
is called “Sanad” plural “Isnad” which means support as it is the authority for the genuineness of a Hadith. The
authorities can be as many as one, two, three, four, five, or six depending on how far was the compilers time from the
Holy Prophet (PBUH).
The list of narrators of the sayings and actions of the Prophet (pbuh) is called the sanad and could be explained by the
following Hadith: Muhammad ibn Musanna reported from Abdul Wahhab, from Ayyub, from Abu Qilaabah, from
Malik that the Prophet (pbuh) said ‘Pray as you see me praying.’ (Agreed). In this Hadith as in other Hadiths the list of
narrators constitutes the sanad. The shorter the sanad the higher the chances of it being accurate.
Methods
The following methods were used by the scholars to be certain of the authenticity of Isnad of every hadith.
The first transmitter in the chain must be a companion of the Holy Prophet (PBUH). This means that he could have heard
the Holy Prophet (PBUH) speak, and could have seen him performing various actions. Also, to establish the genuineness
of a Hadith the sanad needs to be unbroken leading back to the Prophet (pbuh).
• Each transmitter in the chain who is known as rawi must be a strong Muslim i.e honest and upright. This means
that he should report exactly what he has learnt from his teacher, and not use his own words thus transferring a
genuine Hadith. If any of the narrators was found guilty of falsehood or unreliable character then the hadith was
not accepted as authentic. For example once Imam Malik bin Anas went to Egypt to collect the hadith. But when
he observed that the narrator was deceitful in his daily living, he did not ask him about the hadith.
• He must be of an age in which he can understand the Hadith he is delivering. This is because he should
understand what he reports and know how a change of words can change the ideas in it. Therefore, the hadiths
narrated by children were not accepted as authentic.
• He must have a good memory which is to ensure that he delivers the exact words of the Holy Prophet (PBUH).
He should report what agrees with the reports of others who are known to have good memories. If any of the
narrators was found to have a defective memory, then the hadith was not accepted as authentic.
• The dates of birth and death of each transmitter in the chain was checked to ensure that they met each other.
Thus, there must be no gaps or weaknesses in the chain to ensure that a Hadith is authentic. If the chain of
narrators was broken, then the hadith was not accepted as authentic.
• Hadiths narrated by non muslims were not accepted as authentic.
Matn
The second part of the hadith is Matnwhich are the words of the Holy Prophet pbuh. Matn is the text of the hadith for
example “Pray as you see me offering prayers.” The Matn as a report or an act or statement of the Holy Prophet pbuh
helps to build the picture of his teachings and thus, a base for Islamic rites and beliefs.
Methods:
The following methods were used by the scholars to be certain of the authenticity of matn of every hadith.
• The Matn is accepted as authentic if it is not contrary to the previous hadiths which were accepted as correct
by the authorities, nor contradict the Quran or the main principles of Islam.
• It should not be against the common sense, laws of nature and historical facts.
• It should not level accusations to the Prophet’s family and companions.
• The Matn should not be accepted if the narrator himself confesses that the hadith is fabricated.
• It should not contain such an event that if occurred would have been reported by other companions but was
only reported by him. For example, one person attributed a hadith to Abu Bakr (R.A) , that he would kiss his
thumbs when Prophet’s name was mentioned in Azaan. The scholars did not accept it as authentic because it
was a public action and if Abu Bakr would have done it with Prophet’s (pbuh) approval, other companions would
also have reported and performed it.
• It should not promise high rewards for insignificant deeds or order punishments for small errors.
• It should be in the Arabic dialect of the prophet and should not contain expressions uncharacteristic to the
Prophet for example cursing and abusing.
Thus the major collectors of hadith used strict and careful methods to ensure that hadiths which they accepted were
authentic. On the basis of these methods they categorized the hadiths into different types according to their
authenticity e.g Sahih or most authentic, Hasan or approved, Daif or weak and Maudoo or Fabricated.
2(b) How does the Muslim community benefit by having genuine compilations of Hadiths? [4]
(b) Why was it important to check the accuracy of Hadiths? [4]
• The Prophet was sent as a guide and is a role model for all Muslims to follow in order to lead a good Muslim life.
• The Qur’an gives instructions to Muslims about how to live and practice their faith. The implementation of
Qur’anic instructions is found in the Hadiths of the Prophet.
• If the Hadiths were not compiled in authentic books then there would be a danger of Muslims not knowing the
correct way of putting into practice their faith.
• In legal matters, especially the practice of Ijma and Qiyas, it is vital to use only the most accurate Hadiths. In
this case, the scholars refer to the genuine collections of Hadiths.
• Muslims by following the guidance given in the genuine compilations can follow the perfect example of the
Prophet Muhammad.
• It was therefore important to verify the authenticity of the Hadiths so that Muslims could live their lives in line
with the correct teachings of the Prophet.
Types of Hadith
Different types to traditions/ hadiths came into existence according to rank and degree of reliability.
Thus ahadith have been divided by Muslim scholars into four main types:
1. The Sahih Hadith (Most authentic) is a term used to describe any Hadith, the accuracy of which is absolutely
beyond question. Hence, these hadiths are classified as ‘sound’ and ‘trustworthy’ meaning that they are of the
highest level of authenticity and reliability. Isnad (chain of transmitters) of Sahih hadith is full and unbroken; each
transmitter in the chain is a practicing Muslim and has a good character and sound memory. Matn (text) does not
contradict Quran, other authentic hadiths and main principles of Islam. It does not contain expressions
uncharacteristic of the Prophet pbuh and does not have any defects. Ahadith reported by Bukhari and Muslim are
universally accepted as sahih.
2. Hasan ( Approved) are Hadiths whose text is absolutely true but the isnad may not pass the strict test
established by the Hadith compilers e.g. a name in the chain may be missing but there is no reason to
believe that the Hadith is not authentic. Similarly, a hadith may be called Hasan if one of its narrators have
been found defective in memory in comparison with narrators of Sahih Hadith
Hasan is divided in two categories:
i. one with an isnad containing a reporter who is "screened", i.e. no prominent person reported from him .
ii. one with an isnad containing a reporter who is known to be truthful and reliable, but is a degree less in his
preservation/memory of hadith in comparison to the reporters of Sahih ahadith.
3. Daif (Weak). is a term used to describe any Hadith whose truthfulness in both text (matn) and transmission
(isnad) is not absolutely beyond question; and so, its authenticity is not proven. However, it is important
to note that not all Ahadith classified as ‘weak’ are rejected. Abu Dawud included da’if traditions in his
Musnad when he could find no other Hadith to explain questions relating to ‘morals’ or ‘religious’
devotion.
A Hadith could be weak for many reasons. For example, one of its narrators could be mastur; i.e he may not
be well known for his piety and reliability, but the compiler has no evidence that would question the
narrator’s character; or a narrator may have less than perfect memory but his truthfulness was never
questioned.
The weakness in a Hadith could also be due to the interruption in the isnad; that is, a break in the chain of
transmission. Since there was nothing to suggest that the missing narrator was less than truthful or reliable,
such weak Ahadith were included in Musnad collections in areas of moral guidance and religious teachings.
4. Maudoo Hadith (Fabricated) Sometimes hadiths were fabricated, sayings and actions were attributed to the
Prophet (S.A.W) which he had not said , or done and cannot to be used to prove any point of law. For example “Common
people follow the religion of their rulers.”
Types of Hadith according to Acceptance :
1. Mutawatir. It is a Hadith reported by a large number of people in different times whose agreement on a lie
became inconceivable, making it authentic e.g Last sermon of the Prophet(pbuh).
2. Ahad (Single or isolated). These were the Ahadith whose chain of narrators were broken or traditions that
were less widely accepted, they were therefore less authentic if the narrators were truthful and honest, they
were accepted otherwise rejected.
2(b) What in your opinion is the importance of classifying Hadiths? [4]
• The Qur’an gives instructions to Muslims about how to live and practice their faith, it does not give
details showing how to implement the teachings given. This implementation of Qur’anic instructions is
found in the Hadiths of the Prophet.
• If the Hadiths were not classified there would be a danger of Muslims not knowing the correct way of
putting into practice their faith.
• in legal matters it is vital to only use only the most accurate Hadiths but when e.g. one is looking for
moral teachings, a Hadith whose isnad is not strong by having a gap or say the narrator having a weak
memory, a weak Hadith could be used and therefore the classification of Hadiths is important.
• Muslims by following the guidance given in the classified Hadiths can follow the perfect example of
the Prophet Muhammad.
Hadith as a source of Guidance / Islamic law
O/N 2010
2 (a) How have the Hadiths of the Prophet been used as a source of guidance by Muslims? [10]
M/J 2011
2 (a) What part do Hadiths play in Islamic legal thinking? [10]
O/N 2013
2 (a) Describe how the Hadiths are used in establishing law in Islam. [10]
M/J 2015
2 (a) Give an account of how the Prophet’s Hadiths have been a source of guidance to
Muslims in putting their faith into practice. [10]
M/J 2016
2 (a) What is the role of Hadiths as a source of guidance in the lives of Muslims? [10]
Answer (Learn and write):
❖ Hadiths play a very important role in the lives of Muslims and are a source of guidance to them in all
aspects of life. What the Prophet (pbuh) said, did and what he approved of is second in importance to the
Qur’an; God has Himself told Muslims in the Qur’an
‘He who obeys the Prophet, obeys Allah.” [4:80]
‘We have merely revealed this book to you so that you may explain to them where they are differing over
(and so it stands out) as a guidance and mercy for a people who believe.’ (16:64)
Prophet (pbuh) said, “Behold I have been given the Book and a similar thing (Sunnah) along with that.”
Hadiths are important to explain the teachings of the Qur’an; details of hajj, zakat, fasting are all given to
Muslims from the hadith and sunna of the Prophet (pbuh); the Prophet (pbuh) laid down principles (shariah)
regarding every aspect of life: buying, selling, contracts, inheritance which are all part of his sunna; in the
Farewell Address he clearly stated:
‘He who is present here shall carry this message to the one who is absent.’
Muslims turn to his actions in the hope that their actions will please the Almighty and be acceptable to Him.
The following instances will illustrate how these two parts i.e., quran and Hadith interplay and function for the
purpose of legislation.
1) The meaning of Quran is general; Hadith makes it specific and particular.The Hadith may add and
supplement the legal provisions of the Quran
the Quran teaches that Muslims must establisg regular daily prayerand pay Zakat, the charity tax. “And be
steadfast in prayer, give the charity tax, and bow down your heads with those who bow down.” [2:43]
Here Qur’an stresses the need to offer prayers but it is the Hadith/Sunna of the Prophet (pbuh) that tells
Muslims how to perform salat and what to read in it. Prophet said, “Pray as you see me offering prayer.”
In this example, Muslims are encouraged to give Zakat, but they are not told exactly what they should give, or
how they should give it. These details are found in the Sunnah of the Holy Prophet:
“No charity tax is due on property mounting to less than five Uqiya of silver, and no charity tax is due on
fewer than five camels, and there is no charity tax on fewer than five Wasq of wheat grain.”Ahadith such as
this helped legal experts to give advice to Muslims about how the teachings in the Quran about Zakat should
be obeyed.
2) Hadiths also restrict the meaning of a verse e.g. in the case of theft the command is to cut off their
hands. Quran says, “As to the thief male or female cut of his or her hands” (5:38)
How much of the hand is to be cut off? Which hand is to be cut off? The Prophet (pbuh) explained it by
saying, “right hand up to the wrist is to be cut off.”
the Sunnah also restricts this, to the thief who steals wealth from the protective custody but the person
should not be lunatic or child etc.
3. Explanation of technical issues like those concerning fasting in the month of Ramadan, The hours of fasting
in the month of Ramadan are mentioned in the Quran in these words, “And eat and drink until the white
thread becomes distinct to you from black thread of dawn.” When companions were unable to understand
this verse, the Prophet (P.B.U.H) interpreted by saying that “the white thread refers to day and black thread
refers to the night.”
4. Hadith makes certain exceptions to the general rules as laid down by the Holy Quran. The Quran made a
declaration in general that one may inherit his property to his parents or children.
“It is prescribed, when death approaches any of you, if he leaves any goods, that he should make a
bequest to parents and next of kin.” [2:180]
Hadith has created the exception in the rule by declaring that there will be no transfer of inheritance between
Muslims and non-muslims.
“A Muslim may not inherit from a non-muslims, nor a non-muslim may inherit from a Muslim.”
❖ Hadith is a very significant and important source of Islamic law without which the Holy Quran cannot be
understood at all. In words of the Quran, the relationship of Quran and Hadith is that of Book and Light.
The Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H) was the first legislator of Islam. He interpreted the law of the Quran, and
commented on it and its manner of application to the practical problems and various situations of life.
• The secondary sources of Islamic law i.e Ijma and Qiyas depend upon Hadith for their acceptance and
justification. They can only be practiced when hadith is silent or does not provide clear guidance. The
secondary sources never contradict the teachings of Hadith.
• Importance/Benefits of Sunnah
The importance of following the Prophet’s Sunna lies in the fact that God Himself asks Muslims to do so. By following the
sunna of the Prophet, Muslims hope to walk the path of righteousness. The Qur’an itself says ‘Obey Allah and obey the
Prophet’ [64:12]. The Hadith and the sunna of the Prophet are second only to the Qur’an in importance and if Muslims
follow the Prophet’s practice they will be closer to attaining paradise. The Prophet (pbuh) also instructed Muslims to
follow his Sunna in his last sermon. ‘I leave with you two things. If you hold fast to them you will never be misguided:
the Book of Allah and my sunna.’ Muslims try to follow his Sunna out of love for him
M/J 2013, M/J 2021
2. (a) Write about the importance of knowing the Prophet’s Hadiths and following his
Sunna for Muslims. [10]
2(b) ‘Truly, My mercy overcomes My wrath’. This is a Hadith Qudsi. What is special about
Hadiths of this kind? [4]
Hadith Qudsi is the divine hadith they are the reports of what Allah said, but they are not words of Allah. The
meanings of this hadith were revealed to the Prophet (P.b.U.H) and he put them in his own words. The Hadith
qudsi differs from the Quran as the Quran is the words of Allah unlike the Hadith Qudsi, which are Allah’s
message in Prophet’s words, for this reason, Hadith Qudsi is not included in the Quran. Some of Hadith Qudsi
are: “Pride is My cloak and greatness My robe, and he who competes with Me in respect of either of them I
shall cast him into Hell-Fire.” And “Spend on charity, O son of Adam and I shall spend on you.”
2.(b) Why do the Prophet’s Hadiths link belief and action so closely? [4]
• The Prophet’s Hadiths link belief and action because mere faith without righteous deeds is
meaningless. Belief is sincere only when put into action.
• e.g if someone believes in pillars of Islam i.e prayer, fasting, zakat etc but does not practice any of
them, then his beliefs has no value near Allah.
• Similarly, if a person believes in Prophet Muhammad pbuh as the last messenger but does not follow
his sunnah, then he is not a true believer.
• The link between beliefs and action is equally important in communal life as the prophet pbuh said,
“ Let him who believes in Allah and the Last day, either speak good or keep silent, and let him who believes
in Allah and the last day, be generous to his neighbor, and let him who believes in Allah and the last day,
be generous to his guest.”
Home work
Q2 (a)
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
