34 chapter two
of many Œadìth jurists and memorisers, (b) the dispersion of Œadìth
memorisers in the country by the expansion of the Islamic state,
which made it difficult to trace them for consultation on Œadìth
verification, and (c) the intrusion of the newly converted Muslims
and the political rejectionists with misinterpreted Aœàdìth to suit their
purposes (Khallaf, 1942). Devout Muslims started, therefore, to com-
pile the Aœàdìth from the memorisers, traveling to them in different
parts of the country. To ensure the accuracy of the Aœàdìth, the com-
pilers relied on a method called isnad, meaning that every Œadìthis
supported by a chain of informants, mentioned by name, starting
from the last one who reported the Œadìthto the first one who him-
self reported hearing or seeing the Prophet saying, doing or approv-
ing what is reported. This method is similar to that used by modern
researchers in their reference to previous work and bibliography.
Being aware of the problem of accuracy, the compilers scrutinised
the compiled Aœàdìth, excluded those that were contradictory and
assigned classes to them depending on the degree of reliability. In
emphasising the authenticity of the Aœàdìth, the medieval jurist Abù-
Yùsuf stated that for the Sunnah to be accepted as authoritative they
should be:
- in agreement with the Qur"àn,
- received in such a manner as to exclude the possibility of doubt
about their authenticity, - widely-diffused and generally accepted by the community,
- transmitted by and/or known to, and accepted by, scholars and
jurists, - transmitted by people well-known for their integrity and trust-
worthiness, - in harmony with the general spirit of Islamic teachings, and
- representative of the normative conduct of the Prophet rather than
that which is uniquely related to him (Ansari, 1979)
The following are the six well known books on Aœàdìth related to
their compilers:
Imam al-Bùkhari (810–870 A.C.), flaœìœal-Bùkhari,
Imam Muslim (d. 875 A.C.), flaœìœMuslim, with al-Nawawi’s explana-
tion, Imam Muslim, flaœìœMuslim: Sunnah of the Sayings and Doings of
the Prophet Muœammad,