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'''Sahih''' (صَحِيْح) is an Arabic word that means genuine/authentic/sound/correct. It is used in classification of [[hadith|ahadith]] and is the highest level of authenticity given to a narration that passes all of Imam Bukhari's criteria for classification as a sahih hadith. The ahadith (sayings/narrations/reports) are purported contemporaneous accounts about [[Muhammad]], his life, and the life of his [[Sahabah|companions]]. Whereas the [[Qur'an]] was written down in book form and later codified by Caliph Uthman, the ahadith did not benefit from such a process, but instead were passed down orally from person to person, until a collector of ahadith came to record them (often many hundreds of years later). | '''Sahih''' (صَحِيْح) is an Arabic word that means genuine/authentic/sound/correct. It is used in classification of [[hadith|ahadith]] and is the highest level of authenticity given to a narration that passes all of Imam Bukhari's criteria for classification as a sahih hadith. The ahadith (sayings/narrations/reports) are purported contemporaneous accounts about [[Muhammad]], his life, and the life of his [[Sahabah|companions]]. Whereas the [[Qur'an]] was written down in book form and later codified by Caliph Uthman, the ahadith did not benefit from such a process, but instead were passed down orally from person to person, until a collector of ahadith came to record them (often many hundreds of years later). | ||
== Bukhari's Criteria == | ==Bukhari's Criteria== | ||
Muhammad al-Bukhari (Muhammad Ibn Ismail Ibn Ibrahim Ibn al-Mughirah Ibn Bardizbah al-Bukhari) was an Islamic scholar and collector of ahadith. When he set out to collect narrations he decided on a set of criteria that he would use to determine the authenticity of what he was collecting. Any narrations that he collected that did not pass these requirements would not be accepted into his collection. Because he used these criteria, his collection is known today as 'Sahih al Bukhari.' Some years later, his student Muslim ibn al-Hajjaj (Abul Husayn Muslim ibn al-Hajjaj Qushayri al-Nishapuri) would use the same criteria to guide his collection. Muslim's collection is known as 'Sahih Muslim.' These are the only two ahadith collections that are prefixed as whole by 'Sahih.' These two Sunni ahadith collections are accepted by Sunni Muslims to be Sahih as a whole, although this does not mean that every single narration included in both collections is Sahih, nor does this preclude narrations in ''other'' collections from being sahih also. | Muhammad al-Bukhari (Muhammad Ibn Ismail Ibn Ibrahim Ibn al-Mughirah Ibn Bardizbah al-Bukhari) was an Islamic scholar and collector of ahadith. When he set out to collect narrations he decided on a set of criteria that he would use to determine the authenticity of what he was collecting. Any narrations that he collected that did not pass these requirements would not be accepted into his collection. Because he used these criteria, his collection is known today as 'Sahih al Bukhari.' Some years later, his student Muslim ibn al-Hajjaj (Abul Husayn Muslim ibn al-Hajjaj Qushayri al-Nishapuri) would use the same criteria to guide his collection. Muslim's collection is known as 'Sahih Muslim.' These are the only two ahadith collections that are prefixed as whole by 'Sahih.' These two Sunni ahadith collections are accepted by Sunni Muslims to be Sahih as a whole, although this does not mean that every single narration included in both collections is Sahih, nor does this preclude narrations in ''other'' collections from being sahih also. | ||
Imam Bukhari came up with 3 criteria which he used to determine whether or not a narration was sahih or not. They are: | Imam Bukhari came up with 3 criteria which he used to determine whether or not a narration was sahih or not. They are: | ||
=== Isnad === | ===Isnad=== | ||
The isnad, or sanad, is the chain of narrators. Since the narrations were passed orally from person to person, it is important to know who heard the narration from whom before themselves. So if Bukhari collects from Person D, he wants to know who person C, B & A were (of course the isnads are longer). | The isnad, or sanad, is the chain of narrators. Since the narrations were passed orally from person to person, it is important to know who heard the narration from whom before themselves. So if Bukhari collects from Person D, he wants to know who person C, B & A were (of course the isnads are longer). | ||
=== 'Adl === | ==='Adl=== | ||
This refers to the reputation of each Muslim sub narrator in the isnad. Each 'link' in the chain must be established first, then the reputation/character of each 'link' must be evaluated. If they were known as a pious, honest Muslim, then the narration passes this criteria; however if one (or more) of the 'links' was a known liar, or had doubtful character, then the narration did not pass and was rejected. | This refers to the reputation of each Muslim sub narrator in the isnad. Each 'link' in the chain must be established first, then the reputation/character of each 'link' must be evaluated. If they were known as a pious, honest Muslim, then the narration passes this criteria; however if one (or more) of the 'links' was a known liar, or had doubtful character, then the narration did not pass and was rejected. | ||
=== Mat'n === | ===Mat'n=== | ||
The contents of the narration must not be in contradiction with the Qur'an. For example, there are narrations that state that [[Muhammads Miracles|Muhammad performed miracles]]; but the Qur'an makes clear that he did ''not'' - so even though some of these 'miracle' ahadith can be found in the Sahih collections, | The contents of the narration must not be in contradiction with the Qur'an. For example, there are narrations that state that [[Muhammads Miracles|Muhammad performed miracles]]; but the Qur'an makes clear that he did ''not'' - so even though some of these 'miracle' ahadith can be found in the Sahih collections, they fail this criteria, so they should be discarded as 'sahih.' The exception to this rule are of course, the narrations regarded by scholars to be Qudsi (hadith which contain non-Qur'anic words from Allah, repeated by Muhammad). These narrations may contradict the Qur'an, but this does not mean they are not Sahih. | ||
== Further Classification == | ==Further Classification== | ||
Previous collectors of ahadith had attempted to come up with criteria to establish authority and authenticity of the different narrations they collected, but none were as stringent as Imam Bukhari's. | Previous collectors of ahadith had attempted to come up with criteria to establish authority and authenticity of the different narrations they collected, but none were as stringent as Imam Bukhari's. | ||
=== Mutawatir === | ===Mutawatir=== | ||
Mutawatir means 'corroborated.' This occurs when a narration (with minor variation or word for word) is passed down through different isnads (chains). If the same/similar narration is passed down through 20 isnads, then it is of higher authenticity than one which may be reported through only 2 isnads (especially if they contradict). This classification can be joined with other classifications; for example, if a narration were both 'sahih' and 'mutawatir' then it is of the highest authenticity regarding classification of ahadith. | Mutawatir means 'corroborated.' This occurs when a narration (with minor variation or word for word) is passed down through different isnads (chains). If the same/similar narration is passed down through 20 isnads, then it is of higher authenticity than one which may be reported through only 2 isnads (especially if they contradict). This classification can be joined with other classifications; for example, if a narration were both 'sahih' and 'mutawatir' then it is of the highest authenticity regarding classification of ahadith. | ||
=== Hasan === | ===Hasan=== | ||
Hasan means that the narration is good. It is not as good as 'sahih', but this was the standard for classification before Imam Bukhari's criteria. Of course this does not mean that the narration itself is not authentic, but that there should be supporting evidence (i.e. other stronger narrations) to support the information in it. | Hasan means that the narration is good. It is not as good as 'sahih', but this was the standard for classification before Imam Bukhari's criteria. Of course this does not mean that the narration itself is not authentic, but that there should be supporting evidence (i.e. other stronger narrations) to support the information in it. | ||
=== Da'if === | ===Da'if=== | ||
Da'if means that the narration is weak - usually caused by a problem or doubt about the isnad or one or more of the reporters in the isnad. Again this does not mean the narration is an outright forgery, but that it should be supported by stronger narrations. | Da'if means that the narration is weak - usually caused by a problem or doubt about the isnad or one or more of the reporters in the isnad. Again this does not mean the narration is an outright forgery, but that it should be supported by stronger narrations. | ||
=== Maudu === | ===Maudu=== | ||
This classification places the narration at best, as doubtful, and at worst, an outright forgery. This is the weakest of classifications. | This classification places the narration at best, as doubtful, and at worst, an outright forgery. This is the weakest of classifications. | ||
== Example of Bukhari's Criteria == | ==Example of Bukhari's Criteria== | ||
Let us use [[Aishas Age of Consummation|Aisha's age of consummation]] as an example of how a historical detail can be shown to be reliable: | Let us use [[Aishas Age of Consummation|Aisha's age of consummation]] as an example of how a historical detail can be shown to be reliable: | ||
[[Image:Sahih.jpeg|thumb|right|400px|'''A''' = The Narrator (e.g. [[Aisha]])<BR>'''B''' = Ahadith Collector (e.g. Bukhari)]] | [[Image:Sahih.jpeg|thumb|right|400px|'''A''' = The Narrator (e.g. [[Aisha]])<BR>'''B''' = Ahadith Collector (e.g. Bukhari)]] | ||
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So Bukhari goes to collect the narrations, and he finds 6 people who do not know each other, who report to him the exact same narration regarding Aisha - including all the details; i.e. that she was 6 & 9 when married and consummated. | So Bukhari goes to collect the narrations, and he finds 6 people who do not know each other, who report to him the exact same narration regarding Aisha - including all the details; i.e. that she was 6 & 9 when married and consummated. | ||
== Claim of Non Authenticity == | ==Claim of Non Authenticity== | ||
A lot of Muslims will declare any narration that they do not like as 'unauthentic.' However, since we are playing by their own rules (their classifications for ahadith), the onus is on ''them'' to show ''how'' the narrations are unauthentic. If they are dealing with Sahih Muslim or Sahih Bukhari, then they must address Bukhari's criteria and bring the evidence to show which criteria/s the narration fails on. If they cannot, then it is their duty as a ahadith accepting Muslim to accept the narration until they can show which criteria it fails. | A lot of Muslims will declare any narration that they do not like as 'unauthentic.' However, since we are playing by their own rules (their classifications for ahadith), the onus is on ''them'' to show ''how'' the narrations are unauthentic. If they are dealing with Sahih Muslim or Sahih Bukhari, then they must address Bukhari's criteria and bring the evidence to show which criteria/s the narration fails on. If they cannot, then it is their duty as a ahadith accepting Muslim to accept the narration until they can show which criteria it fails. | ||
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*[http://www.webcitation.org/6WptpyJvH The Classification Of Hadith: According To The Reliability And Memory Of Reporters] | *[http://www.webcitation.org/6WptpyJvH The Classification Of Hadith: According To The Reliability And Memory Of Reporters] | ||
[[Category:Terms and Definitions]] | [[Category:Terms and Definitions]] | ||
[[Category:Sani]] | [[Category:Sani]] | ||
[[ru:Сахих]] | [[ru:Сахих]] | ||