GB Writes

al-Muqaddimah/Prelude

What’s “`Ulūm-ul-Hadīth”?!!!

`Ulūm-ul-Hadīth is a Religio-Academic Discipline, spanning 14-Centuries, AH/CE, and it’s Maslahah (Purpose) is to provide Checks&Balances as per which Kinds/Types of Religio-Info. are deemed Authentic, Reliable, Weak, Rejected, Fabricated, etc.

Ironically, these’re all actual/real Religio-Academic Terms:

Sahīh (Authentic)

Hasan (Reliable)

Dha`īf (Weak)

Matrūk (Rejected)

Mawdhū` (Fabricated)

There’s Sub-Categories to all of these by the way, which Muhaddithūn (Hadīth-Scholars) have codified over the past 14-Centuries, AH/CE.

Here’s a Funny-Way to comprehend this:

How/why is `Ulūm-ul-Hadīth so important?!!!

#GoodQuestion…#Answer:

Number-1

It humanly preserves the `Izzah (Integrity) of al-`Ilmiyyah (Islāmic-Knowledge).

Number-2

It’s a Religio-Academic Gatekeeper, thereby ensuring the Amān/Safety of any/all other Furū`(Branches) of al-`Ilmiyyah.

Number-3

It prevents Muslim&Non-Muslim Islāmophobes from deceiving the Muslims via Islāmophobic-Kalām/Rhetoric.

Dissecting & Disproving the Stupidity of Qur’ānism

Islāmophobia via Qur’ānism

Starving for Attention via Preying upon the Ignorant

The Religio-Evidences proving both al-Qur’ān as well as as-Sunnah are at-Tanzīl (Revelation) via Hadīth

Number-1

The word “Hadith” (pl. “Ahādīth”), according to the Arabic-Language, means the following:

Statement

Story

Relation

Narration/Narrative

Declaration/Proclamation

News/Report

Message

Record/Recording

Document/Documentation

etc.

(Lisan-ul-`Arab/The Language of the Arab: Lexicon of the Arabic-Language, Muhammad ibn-Manzhūr)

Number-2

The Qur’an, itself, the Entire-Canon of Revelation, known as “The Book of Allah” is a Hadīth by default/definition. Allah states, within Sūrat-il-Kahf (Chapter of the Cave):

“Will you, yourself, grieve over their statements/lies, just because they do not believe in This-Hadīth?”

(Chpt.18, V.6)

Also, within Sūrat-idh-Dhuhā (Chapter-of-Forenoon):

“And, proclaim the Favor of your Lord.”

(Chpt.93, V.11)

In both of these verses, respectively, the Word “Hadīth” is directly used, as well as the Conjugative-Derivative of the Verb which the word “Hadīth” comes from. The Verb that the word “Hadīth” comes from is “Haddatha”, which means “To tell”.

(Lisān-ul-`Arab)

Number-3

Both al-Qur’ān & as-Sunnah were narrated, as well as documented, during the lifetime of Muhammad (Peace be upon him).

Muhammad once stated:

“Relate from me, even if only 1-Āyah/Verse.”

(al-Bukhārī, al-Hākim, al-Qāsim ibn-Sallām, ibn-Hishām, al-Mustadrak)

How were al-Qur’ān & as-Sunnah even preserved in the 1st-Place?!!!

#GoodQuestion…#Answer

The Hifzh/Preservation-Methods consists of the Following-Things used historically:

at-Taklīm/as-Samā` (Conveyence/Oration)

as-Sam` (Hearing/Listening)

al-Hifzh (Memorization)

al-`Ardh (Recall/Revision)

al-Kitābah (Documentation)

al-Ijāzah (Certification/Authorization)

All of the aforementioned were done between Muhammad and as-Sahābah (the Companions of Muhammad), between as-Sahābah and at-Tābi`īn (the Followers of the Companions). And all Subsequent-Generations have followed this Preservational-Precedent till the Present-Day.

Well…Who documented al-Qur’ān and who documented as-Sunnah and when were they documented?!!!

#GoodQuestion…#Answer

Now, to be just/fair:

The Entirety of as-Sunnah was never completely-documented during the Lifetime of Muhammad, like al-Qur’ān was. Yet, still, that Fact doesn’t replace the Religio-Historical Reality that as-Sunnah most definitely began to be documented prior to the Death of Muhammad. The Following-Illustration serves as such a Proof of the aforementioned.

Qur’ān-Recitation History

The Companions/Followers of Muhammad (Peace be upon him [May Allah be pleased with them all-together]) whom were able to both read & write, were commissioned, personally, by Muhammad, to document both al-Qur’an as well as as-Sunnah.

These-Persons are known as the Following-Individuals:

1. al-Khulafā’-ur-Rāshidūn (the 1st Khulafā’/Islamic-Rulers [of the Muslims] after the death of Muhammad [Peace be upon him]):

`Abdullah ibn-`Uthmān ibn-`Āmir/Abū-Bakr as-Siddīq, `Umar ibn-ul-Khattāb, `Uthmān ibn-`Affān, `Alī ibn-`Imrān, al-Hasan ibn-`Alī, Mu`āwiyah ibn-Sakhr.

2. al-`Asharat-ul-Mubashshirūn (the 10-Companions promised Paradise by Name, during the Lifetime of Muhammad [Peace be upon him]):

Abū-Bakr as-Siddīq, `Umar ibn-ul-Khattāb, `Uthmān ibn-`Affān, `Alī ibn Abī-Tālib, `Abd-ur-Rahmān ibn-`Awf, Talhah ibn-`Ubaydillah, Sa`d ibn Abī-Waqqās, Sa`id ibn-Zayd, az-Zubayr ibn-al-`Awwām, Abū-`Ubaydah ibn-il-Jarrāh.

3. Nisa’-un-Nabī/the Wives of the Prophet:

Khadījah bint-Khuwaylid, Hafsah bint-`Umar (ibn-il-Khattāb), `Āi’shah bint Abiī-Bakr, etc.

4. Ahl-ul-Bayt/Members of the Prophetic-Household:

`Abdullah ibn-ul-`Abbās (ibn-`Abbās), Khadījah bint-Khuwaylid, Hafsah bint-`Umar (ibn-il-Khattāb), `Āi’shah bint Abī-Bakr, Abū-Bakr as-Siddīq, `Umar ibn-ul-Khattāb, `Uthmān ibn-`Affān, `Alī ibn Abi-Tālib, Sa`d ibn Abī-Waqqās, etc.

5. Other Various-Companions:

Zayd ibn-Thābit (the Official-Scribe of Muhammad), Ubayy ibn-Ka`b, `Abdullah ibn-Mas`ūd, etc.

6. There’s even an Official-Account, by Hārith ibn-Rabi` (Abū-Qatādah) whom personally asked Anas ibn-Mālik whom were the Documenters of The Qur’ān, during the lifetime of Muhammad & Anas replied, “There were 4 & they were all from among al-Ansar/the Assistants (the 2nd-Wave of the Companions of Muhammad who helped al-Muhājirīn/the Escapees spread al-Islām throughout the rest of the Arabian-Peninsula, outside of al-Hijāz [the traditional homeland of the Tribe of Muhammad: Quraysh] consisting of Modern-Day: Jiddah, Tā’if, Makkah, al-Madīnah…basically, the Entire Western-Coast of the Arabian-Peninsula):

Ubayy ibn-Ka`b, Mu`ādh ibn-Jabal, Zayd ibn-Thābit and Abu-Zayd.

(al-Bukhārī)

The Qur’ān & the Sunnah/are jointly and indivisibly at-Tanzīl (Revelation)

OK…So how’s it known what’s a “True vs. False Hadīth” from either al-Qur’ān or as-Sunnah?!!!

#GoodQuestion…#Answer

There’s Branch-Sciences which conclude/determine the Differences between Authentic vs. Unauthentic Ahādīth, whether they be about al-Qur’ān or Sunnah.

These Branches are known as:

Mustalah-ul-Hadīth/Hadīth-Grading

`Ulūm-ur-Rijāl/Personality-Info.

Mustalah-ul-Hadīth

This decides which Ahādīth are Authentic vs. Unauthentic, based upon the Following-Factors:

Matn (the Religio-Text itself)

Sanad (the Transmission-Chain of Religio-Texts consisting of Human-Narrators)

As per Mutūn/Religio-Texts (pl. of Matn), the Mutūn must agree with anything/everything relative to the 5-Arkān/Pillars of al-Islām as well as the 6-Arkān of al-Īmān (Islāmic-Theology).

As per Isnād/Transmissions of Mutūn, then there they must be investigated whether they fall under the 11-Mīms Standard/System (“Mīm” is a Letter in the Arabic-Language and ironically all the Sanad-Categories are Words starting with Mīm):

Musnad

Isnād which’re confirmed to have no Broken/Missing-Links.

Musalsal

Isnād which were reported by the Same-Persons, via almost Identical-Ways.

Muttasil

Isnād which contain no Known Broken/Missing-Links.

Mu`an`an

Isnād which All Necessary-Individuals for a Specific-Chain are present, however, there’s no Absolute-Guarantee that the Transfer of Religio-Info. was directly passed-down through every Individual within the Specific-Chain.

Marfū`

Isnād which’re deemed traceable to Muhammad, in spite of some (possible or plausible) Broken/Missing-Links in Specific-Isnād.

Mursal

Isnād which Certain-Individuals are either not mentioned, or unknown, within Specific-Isnād.

Ironically, there’s 2-Types/Kinds of Mursal.

Mursal-us-Sahābah

Isnād which Companions who never personally witnessed Muhammad saying or doing something, but rather learned it from Other-Companions, but didn’t cite/quote the Companions who witnessed it.

Mursal-ut-Tābi`īn

Isnād which Companions are either unknown, or not mentioned within Specific-Isnād.

Mawqūf

Isnād which it only traces back to as-Sahābah (Companions of Muhammad).

Maqtū`

Isnād which only traces back to at-Tābi`īn (Followers of the Companions).

Munqati`

Isnād which have a confirmed Broken/Missing-Link.

Mu`dhal

Isnād which’re confirmed to have Multiple Broken/Missing-Links.

Mu`allaq

Isnād which don’t contain the Compilers of Ahādīth, Authors of Hadīth-Collections, etc. within its Links.

These-Standards for Qur’ān&Sunnah-Ahādīth equally apply to what’s known as “Āthār” (pl. of “Athar”). Well get back to “Āthār” later though.

`Ulūm-ur-Rijāl

This determines whether or not Persons Part of Isnād are Credible-Individuals. This-Standard of Credibility is based upon the Following-Factors:

The Person is known for being Muslim.

The Person is known for being Sound-Minded.

The Person is known for Positive-Character.

The Person is known for being Truthful/Honest.

The Person is known for having Good-Recall/Memory.

The Person is known for being personally connected with those they narrated from/about.

The Person is known for Consistent-Documentation.

So, which Qur’ān/Sunnah-Isnād are considered the Most-Reliable/Authentic?!!!

#GoodQuestion…#Answer

The “Golden-Chain” Concept/Principle

“as-Sanad-udh-Dhahab or as-Silsilat-udh-Dhahab (the Golden-Chain)” is Religio-Historically recognized/accepted, amongst Hadīth/Narration-Academics, as the Strongest/Most-Authentic Sanad/Chain of Transmission, regarding an-Nuzūl/Revelatory-Texts.

The Persons regarded as the Links/Members of the “Golden-Chain” are as follows:

From Mālik (May Allah and from Nāfi` and from `Abdillah ibn-`Umar to Muhammad

(According to al-Bukhārī&Muslim)

There’s Additional “Golden-Chains” which’re highly-regarded as well, but not as popular the Most-Famous Version of the aforementioned “Golden-Chain”.

There’s also other “Golden-Chains”

From ibn-Shihāb az-Zuhrī and from Salīm ibn-`Abdillah ibn-`Umar and from `Abdillah ibn-`Umar to Muhammad

(Considered the Strongest-Sanad according to Ahmad ibn-Hanbal&Ishāq ibn-Ruhuwayh)

From Muhammad ibn-Sīrīn and from `Ābidah ibn-`Amr and from `Alī ibn-`Imrān to Muhammad

(Considered the Strongest-Sanad according to `Alī ibn-il-Madanī, Sulaymān ibn-Harb, `Amr ibn-`Ali al-Fallās)

Ibrāhīm an-Nakhā’ī and from `Alqamah and from `Abdillah ibn-Mas`ūd to Muhammad

(Considered the Strongest-Sanad according to Yahyā ibn-Ma`īn, `Abdullah ibn-il-Mubārak, an-Nasā’ī)

From az-Zuhrī and from `Alī ibn-il-Husayn and from al-Husayn ibn-`Alī ibn-`Imrān to Muhammad

(According to ibn Abī-Shaybah)

From `Ubaydillah ibn-`Umar ibn-Hafs ibn-`Āsim and from al-Qāsim ibn-Muhammad and from `Ā’ishah to Muhammad

(According to Yahyā ibn-Ma`īn&an-Nasā’ī)

From `Abdillah ibn-Dhakwān and from al-A`rāj and from Abī-Hurayrah to Muhammad

(According to al-Bukhārī)

Āthār

I told you we were going to revisit this.

Linguistically, “Āthār” & “Ahādīth” are Religio-Linguistic Synonyms of each other. However, Religio-Academically, these 2-Terms hostorically represent Separate-Categories:

Ahādīth

Any/all Reports, Commentaries, etc. concerning from Muhammad either about al-Qur’ān or about as-Sunnah.

Āthār

Any/all Reports, Commentaries, etc. from either as-Sahābah or at-Tābi`īn regarding al-Qur’ān or as-Sunnah.

The Easiest-Way to comprehend this is via the Concept of:

at-Tafsīr

Commentary, Interpretation, Explanation, etc. of al-Qur’ān.

at-Tafsīr has 5-Categories

Qur’ānic Face-Value

Prophetic-Commentary

Explanation of as-Sahābah

Interpretaion of at-Tābi`īn

The Arabic-Language

ash-Sharh

Explanation of as-Sunnah.

Interpretations of Hadīth-Collections.

Commentaries of Works pertaining to al-Fiqh (Legal-Interpretation of ash-Sharī`ah [Islāmic-Law]).

al-Fiqh/Religio-Legal Analysis

Literary-References as per `Ulūm-il-Hadīth

al-Qur’ān

Fadhā’il-ul-Qur’ān (Merits of The Qur’ān)

al-Qāsim ibn-Sallām

`Ulūm-ul-Qur’ān (Qur’ān-Science)

Muhammad ibn-Khalaf ibn-il-Marzubān

as-Sunnah

`Ulūm-Hadīth (Narration-Science)

Muhammad Mustafā al-A`zhamī

at-Tafsīr

Tafsīr-ut-Tabarī

Muhammad ibn-Jarīr at-Tabarī

Asbāb-un-Nuzūl (Reasons for Revelations)

`Abd-ur-Rahmān ibn Abī-Bakr ibn-Muhammad Jalāluddīn as-Suyūtī

Tārīkh-un-Nuzūl (Chronicles of Revelations)

Muhammad Mustafā al-A`zhamī

`Ulūm-ur-Rijāl

Siyār A`lām-in-Nubalā’ (Biographies of Famous-Notables)

Muhammad ibn-Ahmad ibn-`Uthmān adh-Dhahabī

Gareth Bryant