# hadith

> collections of sayings and teachings of Muhammad (and Ahl al-Bayt for Shia Muslims)

**Wikidata**: [Q234343](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q234343)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hadith)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/hadith

## Summary
Hadith are collections of sayings and teachings attributed to the Islamic prophet Muhammad, serving as a primary source of guidance in Sunni Islam. For Shia Muslims, they also include teachings of the Ahl al-Bayt (Muhammad’s family and close companions). These traditions are compiled in books and are essential for understanding Islamic jurisprudence and moral teachings.

## Key Facts
- Hadith are oral traditions transmitted through chains of narrators, documenting Muhammad’s sayings, actions, and approvals.
- Sunni Islam relies on hadith alongside the Quran, while Shia Islam includes hadith from the Ahl al-Bayt.
- Major hadith collections include *Sunan al-Kubra lil Behaqi* (the largest Sunni collection) and *Jami` at-Tirmidhi*.
- Notable hadith scholars include Ibn Hibban, Al-Nawawi, and Muhammad Nasiruddin al-Albani.
- Hadith are categorized by their authenticity, with terms like *sahih* (authentic) and *hasan* (good) used to evaluate their reliability.
- Key hadith topics include prophecies, moral teachings, and legal rulings, such as the *Hadith of the Two Weighty Things* (Quran and Ahl al-Bayt as divine guidance).
- Hadith are part of the broader Islamic epistemology, where *tawatur* (consistent transmission) is a critical criterion for authenticity.

## FAQs
**What is the difference between Sunni and Shia hadith?**
Sunni hadith primarily document Muhammad’s sayings and teachings, while Shia hadith also include traditions from the Ahl al-Bayt, such as the Imams. Sunni scholars rely on hadith alongside the Quran, whereas Shia Islam emphasizes hadith as a source of divine guidance.

**How are hadith evaluated for authenticity?**
Hadith are assessed based on criteria like *tawatur* (consistent transmission), *isnad* (narrator chain), and *matn* (content). Terms like *sahih* (authentic) and *hasan* (good) are used to classify their reliability.

**Who are some famous hadith scholars?**
Notable hadith scholars include Ibn Hibban (a compiler of hadith), Al-Nawawi (a Sunni jurist and hadith scholar), and Muhammad Nasiruddin al-Albani (a renowned hadith expert).

**What are some well-known hadith collections?**
Major hadith collections include *Sunan al-Kubra lil Behaqi* (the largest Sunni collection) and *Jami` at-Tirmidhi*, which are widely studied in Islamic scholarship.

**Why are hadith important in Islam?**
Hadith provide practical guidance on Islamic law, ethics, and daily life, complementing the Quran. They are essential for understanding Muhammad’s teachings and the development of Islamic jurisprudence.

## Why It Matters
Hadith play a foundational role in Islamic theology and jurisprudence, serving as a secondary source of divine revelation alongside the Quran. They document Muhammad’s sayings, actions, and approvals, offering moral and legal guidance for Muslims. For Sunni Islam, hadith are crucial for interpreting the Quran and establishing Islamic law, while Shia Islam relies on hadith from the Ahl al-Bayt for divine authority. The study of hadith has shaped Islamic scholarship, with scholars like Al-Nawawi and Ibn Hibban compiling and evaluating traditions for authenticity. Hadith also influence Islamic culture, ethics, and community practices, making them indispensable to Islamic identity and practice.

## Notable For
- Hadith are the primary source of Islamic jurisprudence and moral teachings in Sunni Islam.
- The *Hadith of the Two Weighty Things* (Quran and Ahl al-Bayt) is a cornerstone of Shia Islamic belief.
- *Sunan al-Kubra lil Behaqi* is the largest hadith collection in Sunni Islam.
- Hadith scholars like Al-Nawawi and Ibn Hibban developed methods for evaluating tradition authenticity.
- Hadith are categorized by terms like *sahih* (authentic) and *hasan* (good) to guide interpretation.
- Hadith include prophecies, such as the *Hadith of the Ten Promised Paradise* and *Ghazwa-e-Hind*.

## Body
### Origins and Development
Hadith are oral traditions transmitted through chains of narrators, documenting Muhammad’s sayings, actions, and approvals. They emerged as a means to preserve and interpret Muhammad’s teachings after his death. Sunni Islam relies on hadith alongside the Quran, while Shia Islam includes hadith from the Ahl al-Bayt, such as the Imams. Early hadith scholars like Ibn Shihab al-Zuhri and Hammad ibn Zayd compiled and evaluated traditions, establishing criteria for authenticity.

### Major Collections
Key hadith collections include *Sunan al-Kubra lil Behaqi* (the largest Sunni collection) and *Jami` at-Tirmidhi*, which are widely studied in Islamic scholarship. Other notable collections are *Shuab ul Iman* by Al-Bayhaqi and *al-Muʻjam al-kabīr* by al-Ṭabarānī. These books are essential for understanding Islamic law, ethics, and moral teachings.

### Authenticity and Evaluation
Hadith are evaluated based on criteria like *tawatur* (consistent transmission), *isnad* (narrator chain), and *matn* (content). Terms like *sahih* (authentic) and *hasan* (good) are used to classify their reliability. Scholars such as Ibn Hibban and Al-Nawawi developed methods for assessing hadith authenticity, ensuring their accuracy and relevance.

### Notable Hadith Scholars
Prominent hadith scholars include:
- **Ibn Hibban**: A compiler of hadith who developed methods for evaluating tradition authenticity.
- **Al-Nawawi**: A Sunni Shafi’ite jurist and hadith scholar known for his comprehensive works on Islamic law.
- **Muhammad Nasiruddin al-Albani**: A renowned hadith expert who evaluated and compiled traditions for authenticity.
- **Al-Waqidi**: A Muslim historian and biographer of Muhammad who documented early Islamic traditions.
- **Ibn al-Salah**: A Muslim Imam who contributed to hadith scholarship and Islamic jurisprudence.

### Key Hadith Topics
Hadith cover a wide range of topics, including:
- **Prophecies**: Such as the *Hadith of the Ten Promised Paradise* and *Ghazwa-e-Hind*.
- **Moral Teachings**: Including the *Hadith of the Two Weighty Things* (Quran and Ahl al-Bayt as divine guidance).
- **Legal Rulings**: Documenting Muhammad’s approvals and judgments on Islamic law.
- **Historical Events**: Like the *Hadith of the Pen and Paper* and *Ghadir Khumm*.

### Influence on Islamic Law and Ethics
Hadith are essential for understanding Islamic jurisprudence and moral teachings. They provide practical guidance on Islamic law, ethics, and daily life, complementing the Quran. For Sunni Islam, hadith are crucial for interpreting the Quran and establishing Islamic law, while Shia Islam relies on hadith from the Ahl al-Bayt for divine authority. The study of hadith has shaped Islamic scholarship, with scholars like Al-Nawawi and Ibn Hibban compiling and evaluating traditions for authenticity.

### Related Concepts and Entities
Hadith are connected to several key Islamic concepts and entities:
- **Tawatur**: The concept of consistent transmission in Islamic epistemology.
- **Sahih Hadith**: A category of authentic hadith used in Islamic scholarship.
- **Fabricated Hadith**: A term used to describe unreliable or invented traditions.
- **Mursal Hadith**: A type of hadith without a specific narrator chain.
- **Wahy**: The revelation in Islam, which hadith complement as a source of divine guidance.

Hadith are indispensable to Islamic identity and practice, shaping theology, jurisprudence, and community life. Their study and evaluation continue to be central to Islamic scholarship and spiritual guidance.

## References

1. Virtual International Authority File
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
3. BBC Things
4. YSO-Wikidata mapping project. 2023
5. Quora
6. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File
7. KBpedia
8. GF WordNet
9. [Source](http://www.oed.com/dictionary/hadith_n)