How Types of Hadith Preserved the Integrity of Islam”

Hadith, the recorded sayings and actions of Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), play a vital role in shaping Islamic beliefs and practices. While the Quran is the ultimate source of guidance, the Hadith provides detailed context, explanation, and application of its teachings. For any Muslim striving to live by Islamic principles, understanding the types of Hadith is essential. Why? Because not all Hadith carry the same weight or authenticity. Distinguishing between Sahih (authentic), Da’if (weak), and fabricated Hadith helps ensure that our understanding of Islam remains pure and accurate.

After reading this blog post you will understand what is Hadith how different types of Hadith authenticate the whole process and why having this knowledge is crucial for every believer.

What is Hadith

Hadith refers to the sayings, actions, approvals, or attributes related to the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) that have reached us through a chain of narrators. Sometimes, the terms Sunnah and Khabar are also used interchangeably for Hadith. The original text of a Hadith is called “Matn,” while the chain of narrators before the text is known as “Sanad.” If the Sanad is uninterrupted, it is termed “Mutasil” (connected); otherwise, it is considered “Munqati'” (disconnected).

Basic 4 Types of Hadith

1. Qawli (قولی): A hadith that contains a direct saying of the Prophet (PBUH).
2. Fi’li (فعلی): A hadith that narrates an action of the Prophet (PBUH).
3. Taqriri (تقریری): A hadith that mentions the Prophet’s (PBUH) approval or silence over a particular action.
4. Shama’il Nabawi (شمائل نبوی): A hadith that describes the habits, manners, or physical attributes of the Prophet (PBUH).

Types of Hadith Based on Attribution

1. Qudsi: (قدسی) A divine saying where the Prophet (PBUH) narrates directly from Allah, but it is not included in the Qur’an. For instance, the Prophet (PBUH) may state, “Allah said…”.
2. Marfu’ (مرفوع): A Hadith attributed directly to the Prophet (PBUH) regarding his words, actions, or approvals.
3. Mawquf (موقوف): A Hadith that is attributed to a companion regarding their words, actions, or approvals.
4. Maqtu’ (مقطوع): A Hadith that is attributed to a follower (Tabi’i) or a follower of a follower (Taba Tabi’i) in terms of their sayings or actions.

Types of Hadith Based on the Number of Narrators

Mutawatir (متواتر):

A Hadith that meets the following four conditions:

• • A large number of narrators narrate it.
  • It is impossible for them to have conspired to fabricate it.
  • The large number of narrators is consistent across every generation, from the time of the Prophet (PBUH) until the compiler of the Hadith.
  • The Hadith is based on direct observation or hearing.

Note: The group of narrators in each generation is called a “Tabaqa.”

Khabar Wahid (خبر واحد):

A Hadith that does not meet the conditions of a Mutawatir Hadith. There are four types of Khabar Wahid:

1. Mashhoor (مشہور): A Hadith with a varying number of narrators in each group of narrators, usually more than two.
2. Mustafidh (مستفیض): A Hadith where the number of narrators is more than two and remains consistent across each group of narrators.
3. Aziz (عزیز): A Hadith where only two narrators exist in a particular group of narrators.
4. Ghareeb (غریب): A Hadith where only one narrator exists in any group of narrators.

Types of Hadith Based on Acceptance or Rejection

1. Maqbul (مقبول): A Hadith that is obligatory to act upon.
2. Mardud (مردود): A Hadith that does not meet the criteria for acceptance.

Categories of Accepted Hadith (Based on the Conditions for Acceptance)

1. Sahih Lizhatihi (صحیح لذاتہ): A Hadith that fulfills the following five conditions:
   • An uninterrupted chain of transmission where every narrator received it directly from their teacher.
   • Every narrator is trustworthy and avoids major sins.
   • The narrators possess accurate memory and transmit the Hadith without alteration.
   • The Hadith is free from any irregularities (Shaaz).
   • It contains no hidden defects (Illah).
2. Sahih Lighayrihi (صحیح لغیرہ): A Hadith that becomes Sahih because it is supported by multiple chains of narration, even if it was originally of a lower grade.
3. Hasan Lidhatihi(حسن لذاتہ): A Hadith where the narrators are slightly less reliable but still meet the above mentioned criteria for acceptance.
4. Hasan Lighayrihi(حسن لغیرہ): A Hadith that becomes Hasan due to multiple chains that compensate for minor weaknesses.

Categories of Sahih Hadith Based on Their Inclusion in Hadith Collections

1. Muttafaqun Alayh (متفق علیہ): A Hadith found in both Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim, considered of the highest authenticity.
2. Afrad Bukhari (افراد بخاری): A Hadith found only in Sahih Bukhari.
3. Afrad Muslim (افراد مسلم): A Hadith found only in Sahih Muslim.
4. Sahih Ala Shartihima (صحیح علی شرطھما): A Hadith that meets the criteria of both Bukhari and Muslim but is not found in either.
5. Sahih Ala Shart Bukhari (صحیح علی شرط البخاری): A Hadith that meets the criteria of Bukhari but is not found in his collection.
6. Sahih Ala Shart Muslim (صحیح علی شرط مسلم): A Hadith that meets the criteria of Muslim but is not found in his collection.
7. Sahih Ala Shart Ghayrihima (صحیح علی شرط غیرھما): A Hadith that meets the criteria of other prominent scholars besides Bukhari and Muslim.

Types of Rejected Hadith Due to Chain Disconnection

1. Mu’allaq (معلق): A Hadith where the beginning or entire chain has been intentionally omitted.
2. Mursal (مرسل): A Hadith where a Tabi’i directly narrates from the Prophet (PBUH), skipping the companion.
3. Mu’zal (معضل): A Hadith where two or more consecutive narrators are missing.
4. Munqati’ (منقطع): A Hadith with one or more narrators missing from different parts of the chain.
5. Mudallas (مدلس): A Hadith where a narrator intentionally hides a defect in the chain, giving the impression that the chain is connected.
6. Mursal Khafi(مرسل خفی): A Hadith where a narrator transmits from a contemporary without proving they actually met.
7. Ma’lul or Mu’allal (معلول یا معلل): A Hadith that appears sound but contains a hidden defect that makes it unreliable. Detecting such defects requires deep expertise.

Types of Rejected Hadith Due to the Narrator’s Lack of Integrity

1. Riwayat al-Mubtadi’ (روایۃ المبتدع): A Hadith narrated by someone engaging in heretical innovations that nullify faith. If the innovation is not heretical and the narrator is reliable, the narration is accepted.
2. Riwayat al-Fasiq (روایۃ الفاسق): A Hadith narrated by someone committing major sins, but did not nullify his faith.
3. Matrook (متروک): A Hadith narrated by someone known to habitually lie in daily life, making their Hadith unacceptable.
4. Mawzu’ (موضوع): A Hadith that contains deliberate falsehood, often concocted by a dishonest narrator.

Types of Rejected Hadith Due to the Narrator’s Lack of Precision

1. Mushaf (مصحف): A Hadith where a word’s outward form is correct, but the pronunciation or meaning is altered due to changes in dots or vowels.
2. Maqloob (مقلوب): A Hadith where words are mistakenly rearranged or a different narrator is introduced in the chain.
3. Mudraj (مدرج): A Hadith where a narrator’s own statement is mistakenly included as part of the original Hadith.

Conclusion

This comprehensive overview regarding types of hadith, provides a clear understanding of Hadith terminology and classification, highlighting the meticulous process involved in determining authenticity in Islamic scholarship. Understanding the types of Hadith is not just an academic exercise; it’s a key step in preserving the purity of our faith. By distinguishing authentic narrations from weak or fabricated ones, we safeguard our beliefs and practices from error. As Muslims, it’s our responsibility to seek authentic knowledge about the types of hadith and ensure that our actions align with the teachings of the Prophet PBUH.