# Al-Kutub al-Sittah

> six most highly regarded collections of hadith in Sunni Islam

**Wikidata**: [Q310756](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q310756)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kutub_al-Sittah)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/al-kutub-al-sittah

## Summary
Al-Kutub al-Sittah refers to the six most highly regarded collections of hadith in Sunni Islam. It serves as a central reference for the tradition, encompassing works such as *Sahih al-Bukhari* and *Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim*. The entity is also known by the aliases Kutub al-Sittah and Hadees book.

## Key Facts
- Defined as the six most highly regarded collections of hadith in Sunni Islam.
- Classified as a literary work.
- Also known by the aliases "Kutub al-Sittah" and "Hadees book."
- Contains *Sahih al-Bukhari*, which is described as the most famous collection of hadith in Sunni Islam and originated in the 9th century.
- Contains *Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim*, a 9th-century book authored by Muslim ibn al-Hajjaj.
- Contains *Sunan Abu Dawood*.
- Contains *Jami` at-Tirmidhi*, a book authored by Muḥammad Ibn-ʿĪsā at-Tirmiḏī.
- Contains *Al-Sunan al-Sughra*, a book authored by Al-Nasa'i.
- Contains *Sunan ibn Majah*, a Hadith collection by Ibn Majah, who died in 887 CE.
- Contains *al-Muwaṭṭaʼ*, a book by Mālik ibn Anas.

## FAQs
**What specific texts are included in Al-Kutub al-Sittah?**
The collection includes *Sahih al-Bukhari*, *Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim*, *Sunan Abu Dawood*, *Jami` at-Tirmidhi*, *Al-Sunan al-Sughra*, *Sunan ibn Majah*, and *al-Muwaṭṭaʼ*.

**Who are the authors of the books within this collection?**
The authors associated with these works include Muslim ibn al-Hajjaj, Muḥammad Ibn-ʿĪsā at-Tirmiḏī, Al-Nasa'i, Ibn Majah, and Mālik ibn Anas.

**What is the historical timeframe of these works?**
Key works such as *Sahih al-Bukhari* and *Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim* originated in the 9th century, while the author of *Sunan ibn Majah*, Ibn Majah, is recorded to have died in 887 CE.

**What category does Al-Kutub al-Sittah belong to?**
It is categorized as a literary work, consisting of written works read for enjoyment or edification.

## Why It Matters
Al-Kutub al-Sittah is foundational to Sunni Islam, representing the six most highly regarded collections of hadith. These texts are critical for religious guidance, law, and theology, providing the primary source material for the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad. The prominence of *Sahih al-Bukhari* within this group highlights the collection's role as the most famous and authoritative body of hadith literature.

## Notable For
- Being the definitive grouping of the six most highly regarded collections of hadith in Sunni Islam.
- Featuring *Sahih al-Bukhari*, widely recognized as the most famous collection of hadith in the tradition.
- Originating in the 9th century, with major texts like *Sahih al-Bukhari* and *Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim* dating to this period.
- Including the work of Ibn Majah, who died in 887 CE.
- Encompassing the *al-Muwaṭṭaʼ* by Mālik ibn Anas within its structural components.

## Body

### Composition and Contents
Al-Kutub al-Sittah is composed of several distinct books that hold the highest status in Sunni Islam. The most famous of these is *Sahih al-Bukhari*, a collection that originated in the 9th century. Alongside it is *Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim*, another 9th-century book authored by Muslim ibn al-Hajjaj. The collection also features *Sunan Abu Dawood*, *Jami` at-Tirmidhi* by Muḥammad Ibn-ʿĪsā at-Tirmiḏī, and *Al-Sunan al-Sughra* by Al-Nasa'i. Additionally, the corpus includes *Sunan ibn Majah*, a Hadith collection by Ibn Majah, who died in 887 CE, and *al-Muwaṭṭaʼ*, a book by Mālik ibn Anas.

### Authorship and Historical Context
The authors of these texts are central figures in Islamic history. Muslim ibn al-Hajjaj compiled his work in the 9th century, as did the compiler of *Sahih al-Bukhari*. The timeline extends to the late 9th century with the death of Ibn Majah in 887 CE. Other notable contributors include Muḥammad Ibn-ʿĪsā at-Tirmiḏī, Al-Nasa'i, and Mālik ibn Anas, each contributing a unique volume to the overall canon.

### Classification and Terminology
The entity is classified broadly as a literary work, defined as a written work read for enjoyment or edification. It is recognized by several names, including the primary alias "Kutub al-Sittah" and "Hadees book." This classification underscores its role not just as religious scripture but as a significant body of written literature within the Islamic tradition.

## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
2. [Source](https://islamansiklopedisi.org.tr/kutub-i-sitte)