Islamiat document
Uloom al-Hadith
Q1: Write a short note on the types and importance of Hadith.
Answer:
Hadith refers to the sayings, actions, approvals, and characteristics of the Holy Prophet
Muhammad (peace be upon him).
Hadith are divided into four types:
1. Hadith Qawli (Sayings):
The statements of the Prophet (PBUH). Example: “Actions depend on intentions.”
2. Hadith Fili (Actions):
The practical actions of the Prophet (PBUH). Example: He would raise his hands while
making dua (supplication).
3. Hadith Taqriri (Approvals):
Actions done by the companions in the presence of the Prophet (PBUH), and he
remained silent, neither objecting nor forbidding them. His silence is considered
approval.
4. Hadith Qudsi (Sacred Hadith):
The message is from Allah but expressed in the words of the Prophet (PBUH).
Importance of Hadith:
After the Qur’an, Hadith is the second source of Islamic law.
The Qur’an provides general rulings, while Hadith gives detailed explanation and
practical examples.
Denying Hadith means denying Islam itself, which is a great fitnah (trial).
Q2: Explain the concept of collection and compilation of Hadith.
Answer:
The word tadween (compilation) means to collect and preserve. In the context of Hadith, it
refers to the gathering and recording of the sayings of the Holy Prophet (PBUH).
The process of compilation of Hadith took place in three major periods:
1. The First Period – The Era of the Prophet (PBUH) and the Companions
, During the lifetime of the Prophet (PBUH), many of his sayings were already written.
Some companions personally wrote Hadith in the form of scrolls, letters, and
documents.
Examples include treaties, agreements, letters to rulers, legal documents (like “Kitab al-
Sadaqah”), census records, and written covenants of the Prophet (PBUH).
The companions also preserved Hadith orally with great care.
2. The Second Period – 100 to 200 Hijri
This was the time of Umar bin Abdul Aziz (RA), who officially ordered the systematic
collection of Hadith.
Scholars began writing organized books of Hadith.
Famous collections of this era include:
o Muwatta Imam Malik
o Kitab al-Athar (by Imam Abu Hanifa’s students)
o Other compilations by Imam Sufyan al-Thawri and others.
3. The Third Period – After 200 Hijri
Known as the Golden Era of Hadith Compilation.
Most famous Hadith books were compiled in this era, including the Sihah Sittah (Six
Authentic Books):
o Sahih al-Bukhari
o Sahih Muslim
o Sunan Abu Dawood
o Sunan al-Tirmidhi
o Sunan al-Nasa’i
o Sunan Ibn Majah
During this era, sciences like Usul al-Hadith (principles of Hadith) and Asma al-Rijal
(biographies of narrators) were also developed to check the authenticity of narrations.
, Q3: Define Sihah Sitta (Six Authentic Books of Hadith) and the Four Usul (Principle Books of
Shia Hadith).
Answer:
Sihah Sitta (The Six Authentic Books)
The term Sihah Sitta refers to the six most reliable and well-known books of Hadith. The word
Sihah means “authentic,” and Sitta means “six.” These books contain a large number of
authentic Hadith collected with strict principles.
The Six Books and Their Authors:
1. Sahih al-Bukhari – compiled by Imam Muhammad bin Ismail al-Bukhari (d. 256 AH)
2. Sahih Muslim – compiled by Imam Muslim bin Hajjaj (d. 261 AH)
3. Jami‘ al-Tirmidhi – compiled by Imam Abu Isa Muhammad bin Isa al-Tirmidhi (d. 279 AH)
4. Sunan Abu Dawood – compiled by Imam Abu Dawood Sulaiman bin Ash‘ath (d. 275 AH)
5. Sunan al-Nasa’i – compiled by Imam Ahmad bin Shu‘ayb al-Nasa’i (d. 303 AH)
6. Sunan Ibn Majah – compiled by Imam Muhammad bin Yazid Ibn Majah (d. 273 AH)
These six books hold a special place in Islamic scholarship and are taught widely in madrasahs.
Usul al-Arba‘ah (The Four Principle Books – Shia Tradition)
In Shia Islam, the most important Hadith collections are known as Usul al-Arba‘ah (The Four
Principles). They are the foundation of Shia Hadith literature.
The Four Books and Their Authors:
1. Al-Kafi – by Abu Ja‘far Muhammad bin Ya‘qub al-Kulayni (d. 329 AH)
2. Man La Yahduruhu al-Faqih – by Abu Ja‘far Muhammad bin Ali ibn Babawayh al-Qummi
(d. 381 AH)
3. Tahdhib al-Ahkam – by Abu Ja‘far Muhammad bin al-Hasan al-Tusi (d. 460 AH)
4. Al-Istibsar – by Abu Ja‘far Muhammad bin al-Hasan al-Tusi (d. 460 AH)
These are considered the most authentic and reliable Hadith sources in Shia tradition.
Uloom al-Hadith
Q1: Write a short note on the types and importance of Hadith.
Answer:
Hadith refers to the sayings, actions, approvals, and characteristics of the Holy Prophet
Muhammad (peace be upon him).
Hadith are divided into four types:
1. Hadith Qawli (Sayings):
The statements of the Prophet (PBUH). Example: “Actions depend on intentions.”
2. Hadith Fili (Actions):
The practical actions of the Prophet (PBUH). Example: He would raise his hands while
making dua (supplication).
3. Hadith Taqriri (Approvals):
Actions done by the companions in the presence of the Prophet (PBUH), and he
remained silent, neither objecting nor forbidding them. His silence is considered
approval.
4. Hadith Qudsi (Sacred Hadith):
The message is from Allah but expressed in the words of the Prophet (PBUH).
Importance of Hadith:
After the Qur’an, Hadith is the second source of Islamic law.
The Qur’an provides general rulings, while Hadith gives detailed explanation and
practical examples.
Denying Hadith means denying Islam itself, which is a great fitnah (trial).
Q2: Explain the concept of collection and compilation of Hadith.
Answer:
The word tadween (compilation) means to collect and preserve. In the context of Hadith, it
refers to the gathering and recording of the sayings of the Holy Prophet (PBUH).
The process of compilation of Hadith took place in three major periods:
1. The First Period – The Era of the Prophet (PBUH) and the Companions
, During the lifetime of the Prophet (PBUH), many of his sayings were already written.
Some companions personally wrote Hadith in the form of scrolls, letters, and
documents.
Examples include treaties, agreements, letters to rulers, legal documents (like “Kitab al-
Sadaqah”), census records, and written covenants of the Prophet (PBUH).
The companions also preserved Hadith orally with great care.
2. The Second Period – 100 to 200 Hijri
This was the time of Umar bin Abdul Aziz (RA), who officially ordered the systematic
collection of Hadith.
Scholars began writing organized books of Hadith.
Famous collections of this era include:
o Muwatta Imam Malik
o Kitab al-Athar (by Imam Abu Hanifa’s students)
o Other compilations by Imam Sufyan al-Thawri and others.
3. The Third Period – After 200 Hijri
Known as the Golden Era of Hadith Compilation.
Most famous Hadith books were compiled in this era, including the Sihah Sittah (Six
Authentic Books):
o Sahih al-Bukhari
o Sahih Muslim
o Sunan Abu Dawood
o Sunan al-Tirmidhi
o Sunan al-Nasa’i
o Sunan Ibn Majah
During this era, sciences like Usul al-Hadith (principles of Hadith) and Asma al-Rijal
(biographies of narrators) were also developed to check the authenticity of narrations.
, Q3: Define Sihah Sitta (Six Authentic Books of Hadith) and the Four Usul (Principle Books of
Shia Hadith).
Answer:
Sihah Sitta (The Six Authentic Books)
The term Sihah Sitta refers to the six most reliable and well-known books of Hadith. The word
Sihah means “authentic,” and Sitta means “six.” These books contain a large number of
authentic Hadith collected with strict principles.
The Six Books and Their Authors:
1. Sahih al-Bukhari – compiled by Imam Muhammad bin Ismail al-Bukhari (d. 256 AH)
2. Sahih Muslim – compiled by Imam Muslim bin Hajjaj (d. 261 AH)
3. Jami‘ al-Tirmidhi – compiled by Imam Abu Isa Muhammad bin Isa al-Tirmidhi (d. 279 AH)
4. Sunan Abu Dawood – compiled by Imam Abu Dawood Sulaiman bin Ash‘ath (d. 275 AH)
5. Sunan al-Nasa’i – compiled by Imam Ahmad bin Shu‘ayb al-Nasa’i (d. 303 AH)
6. Sunan Ibn Majah – compiled by Imam Muhammad bin Yazid Ibn Majah (d. 273 AH)
These six books hold a special place in Islamic scholarship and are taught widely in madrasahs.
Usul al-Arba‘ah (The Four Principle Books – Shia Tradition)
In Shia Islam, the most important Hadith collections are known as Usul al-Arba‘ah (The Four
Principles). They are the foundation of Shia Hadith literature.
The Four Books and Their Authors:
1. Al-Kafi – by Abu Ja‘far Muhammad bin Ya‘qub al-Kulayni (d. 329 AH)
2. Man La Yahduruhu al-Faqih – by Abu Ja‘far Muhammad bin Ali ibn Babawayh al-Qummi
(d. 381 AH)
3. Tahdhib al-Ahkam – by Abu Ja‘far Muhammad bin al-Hasan al-Tusi (d. 460 AH)
4. Al-Istibsar – by Abu Ja‘far Muhammad bin al-Hasan al-Tusi (d. 460 AH)
These are considered the most authentic and reliable Hadith sources in Shia tradition.
