DEVELOPMENT OF HADITH LITERATURE (SCIENCE OF...

12
1 Ssekimwanyi Musa – 0705 332705 / 0777 023795 – Kyaddondo ss Dept. notes. DEVELOPMENT OF HADITH LITERATURE (SCIENCE OF HADITH). Development of hadith literature involves 3 major aspects; 1. The collection. 2. The preservation. 3. The compilation. These 3 elements have developed in development of hadith literature from the prophet’s time up to today in an effort to study how hadith literature developed in a number of stages, this led to the science of hadith. Necessity for the science of hadith. The development of the science of hadith came up because of the following; Because of the need to preserve the prophet’s traditions due to the importance attached on him. It also developed in an attempt to stop those who had started misusing and misinterpreting hadith for their own purposes. There is need to organise prophet’s traditions for proper use for different purposes e.g. law. Science of hadith also developed because of some disagreements that developed among scholars (hadith) and each group made research which culminated into the development of science of hadith. They developed the science of hadith because of the love and respect companions had to the prophet. There was also the development of the Muhadithins (group of people whose interests was in the study of hadith). There was also the development of sunni schools of law. The different Imams who formed these schools of law found it necessary so as to make use of hadith in their schools of law. There was need to study and analyse the first collection of hadith. THE COLLECTION OF HADITH. The collection of hadith was gradual which took about 3 centuries. It was also done in stages. These stages include the following; i) The first stage of hadith collection (610AD 632AD). - Prophet’s time. - It took place between 610AD 632 AD. - Main methods used were memorisation, transmission and little writing. - Muhammad (S.A.W) was the only source of information. ii) The second stage. - It was the companion’s time. - It took place between 11 100 AH. - Main methods were memorisation, transmission and writing. - Companions were the major source of information. - Companions put up schools in their homes. - Companions moved long distances to justify hadith. - Events were still fresh in the minds of memorisers / companions. -

Transcript of DEVELOPMENT OF HADITH LITERATURE (SCIENCE OF...

Page 1: DEVELOPMENT OF HADITH LITERATURE (SCIENCE OF HADITH).kyaddondossmatugga.ac.ug/uploads/240/1586199964.pdf · (SCIENCE OF HADITH). Development of hadith literature involves 3 major

1 Ssekimwanyi Musa – 0705 332705 / 0777 023795 – Kyaddondo ss Dept.

notes.

DEVELOPMENT OF HADITH LITERATURE

(SCIENCE OF HADITH). Development of hadith literature involves 3 major aspects;

1. The collection.

2. The preservation.

3. The compilation.

These 3 elements have developed in development of hadith literature from the prophet’s time

up to today in an effort to study how hadith literature developed in a number of stages, this led

to the science of hadith.

Necessity for the science of hadith.

The development of the science of hadith came up because of the following;

Because of the need to preserve the prophet’s traditions due to the importance attached

on him.

It also developed in an attempt to stop those who had started misusing and

misinterpreting hadith for their own purposes.

There is need to organise prophet’s traditions for proper use for different purposes e.g.

law.

Science of hadith also developed because of some disagreements that developed among

scholars (hadith) and each group made research which culminated into the development

of science of hadith.

They developed the science of hadith because of the love and respect companions had

to the prophet.

There was also the development of the Muhadithins (group of people whose interests

was in the study of hadith).

There was also the development of sunni schools of law. The different Imams who

formed these schools of law found it necessary so as to make use of hadith in their

schools of law.

There was need to study and analyse the first collection of hadith.

THE COLLECTION OF HADITH.

The collection of hadith was gradual which took about 3 centuries. It was also done in

stages. These stages include the following;

i) The first stage of hadith collection (610AD – 632AD).

- Prophet’s time.

- It took place between 610AD – 632 AD.

- Main methods used were memorisation, transmission and little writing.

- Muhammad (S.A.W) was the only source of information.

ii) The second stage.

- It was the companion’s time.

- It took place between 11 – 100 AH.

- Main methods were memorisation, transmission and writing.

- Companions were the major source of information.

- Companions put up schools in their homes.

- Companions moved long distances to justify hadith.

- Events were still fresh in the minds of memorisers / companions.

-

Page 2: DEVELOPMENT OF HADITH LITERATURE (SCIENCE OF HADITH).kyaddondossmatugga.ac.ug/uploads/240/1586199964.pdf · (SCIENCE OF HADITH). Development of hadith literature involves 3 major

2 Ssekimwanyi Musa – 0705 332705 / 0777 023795 – Kyaddondo ss Dept.

notes.

iii) Third stage.

- It was a period of the followers of the companions of the prophet (Tabiyuns /

Tabiins).

- It took place between 101 – 200 AH.

- Transmission, writing and memory continued.

- Writing materials were abundant.

- Hadith could be studied by going to centres instead of inquiring from

individuals.

- Emergency of written manuscript inform of pamphlets though they were not

exhaustive.

- The four great imams or schools of thought developed.

iv) The fourth stage.

- It was a period of the Tabi – Tabiins. (Followers of the followers of the

companions of the prophet).

- It ranged between 201 – 300 AH.

- Writing materials were majorly used and in abundance.

- It is referred to as the golden age of hadith literature.

- The six books of hadith emerged and arranged in the systematic way.

v) The fifth stage.

- Period from 301 – 600AH.

- Period of Muhadithins (students of hadith).

THE FIRST STAGE OF HADITH COLLECTION

(610AD – 632 – PERIOD OF THE PROPHET).

This is a period / stage when Prophet Muhammad was still alive. It was between 610 – 632

AD. During this stage, the prophet was the source of information. Whatever the prophet did,

said, recommended was all taken and adopted by his companions. This was mainly because;

In family life, the prophet had people who were seeing and copying everything from

him for example he had wives like Aisha, a daughter like Fatumah, he had adopted sons

like Zaid bin Harith.

In public life, he had close companions like Abu-Bakr, Umar, Uthuman, Abu Musa

who were always close to him and he would report whatever he used to do / say, hated,

recommended etc.

The prophet used to send messages to different leaders and information in these

messages later became hadith.

Prophet used to involve himself in several activities like administration, preaching and

signing treaties.

Prophet used to encourage his companions to adopt his behaviours as example.

Why companions adopted to whatever came from the prophet?

It is very clear that whatever the prophet did, recommended was adopted to his companions by

the following reasons;

Because of the love and respect the companions had for the prophet.

The prophet used to pray for those who used to copy and adopt to his practices and the

companions did not want to miss rewards from the prophet’s prayers. He used to say;

“May Allah guide everybody who hears my words and takes it to anybody”

The prophet used to encourage his companions to preserve his hadith.

The holy Quran had encouraged Muslims to take an example of the prophet (Q 33:21)

says “Surely you have got the best example from the messenger of Allah….”

Page 3: DEVELOPMENT OF HADITH LITERATURE (SCIENCE OF HADITH).kyaddondossmatugga.ac.ug/uploads/240/1586199964.pdf · (SCIENCE OF HADITH). Development of hadith literature involves 3 major

3 Ssekimwanyi Musa – 0705 332705 / 0777 023795 – Kyaddondo ss Dept.

notes.

It was because of the need for hadith to be used as a source of law and for administration

for example whenever the prophet sent a governor to the conquered places he used to

tell them adopt his traditions.

Hadith was used to interpret the holy Quran as it was revealed.

Hadith was also used to teach the new Muslim converts.

The companions also used hadith to solve their daily problems.

They always wanted to please the prophet because he used to tell them thus, “Transmit

from me even if a single word”.

By then Quran was still under revelations and was always interpreted and explained by

the prophet using the hadith, so the companions took hadith to be very important.

Methods used by the prophet to teach and disseminate hadith.

There were a number of methods the prophet used to teach and disseminate hadith to his

companions and these include the following;

Practical demonstration. The prophet would do certain things in the presence of his

companions, they would copy whatever he used to do and then take them to others for

example they used to see the prophet perform prayers, they would follow, adopt

whatever he used to do and take it to others.

He also directed his companions to pass on the knowledge / information to others. The

prophet said; Transmit from me even if a single word”.

On the farewell pilgrimage, the prophet when delivering sermon he said; “Hear this

from me, take it to those who are not here with us”

The prophet used to promise rewards to students (those who were learning hadith from

others) and said; “If anybody undertakes a path in search of knowledge, Allah will

thereby take for him easy path to paradise”

The prophet promised rewards to teachers of hadith. He said; “If anyone dies, all his

acts come to an end except three types of acts; one with knowledge which benefits

others, prayer from a good son and charity (swadakatul jalia).

The prophet used to send people with messages to different places whereby

encouraging transmission of hadith.

The fact that the prophet physically participated in most of the activities his companions

involved in gave them an opportunity to learn more from him.

He allowed some companions like Ali bin Abu – Twalib to write down hadith.

He used to encourage memorisation of hadith, memorisation of hadith at this time was

the most effective method of preserving hadith.

Through establishment of schools. Prophet established schools in Medina on his arrival.

They were mainly in mosques and used to send teachers and preachers to different areas

outside Medina like Yemen to preach Islam.

He physically participated in the teaching of hadith to his companions in various

mosques especially after congregational prayers.

There was a party of Swahabah’s called Ashaabu Saffa who lived in the prophet’s

mosque and were always with the prophet learning from him whatever he taught.

Threats and punishments; for those who refused to seek knowledge the prophet seemed

to have indicated to them punishments which could inevitably come as a result of not

learning.

He used to approach governors of different provinces and dictated to them documents

to follow in performing their duties as rulers or judges.

Through fulfilment of some practical aspect of Islam like prayers, fasting, Hijja etc.

Page 4: DEVELOPMENT OF HADITH LITERATURE (SCIENCE OF HADITH).kyaddondossmatugga.ac.ug/uploads/240/1586199964.pdf · (SCIENCE OF HADITH). Development of hadith literature involves 3 major

4 Ssekimwanyi Musa – 0705 332705 / 0777 023795 – Kyaddondo ss Dept.

notes.

In family life he had different people who used to get whatever he said and translated

it to others.

Prophet used to involve himself in different activities like administration, preaching,

signing of treaties etc.

METHODS USED TO PRESERVE HADITH DURING THE PROPHET’S TIME.

During the prophet’s time as the companions collected the hadith, they used to preserve it for

future use. They were basically 3 methods;

i) Memorisation

ii) Transmission

iii) Writing of hadith.

i) MEMORISATION.

The companions of the prophet would hear his words / see him doing something and put it

to memory. As a result from this the information from the prophet would be reserved for

future use.

Those who memorised hadith at that time would take it to others and many companions

memorised hadith.

There is evidence by the time of the prophet’s death, many companions had put hadith in

their memory and they were telling it to others. Memorisation of hadith was the popular

method that was used to preserve hadith during the prophet’s time due to the following

reasons;

The Arabs were very good at memorising and they trusted their memories more

than the writing.

Many companions at that time were illiterate, therefore they could not use writing

as a method of preserving hadith.

There were no suitable writing materials and therefore companions used

memorisation.

Prophet Muhammad used to discourage them from writing hadith for fear of mixing

up the Qur’an with his words (hadith). One time the companion (Abu Hurairah)

reported that; “The prophet found us writing down Hadith and asked ‘what is this

you are writing’, we answered ‘Hadith we hear from you’. The prophet said ‘What

a book other than that of Allah’.

Companions were not interested in matters of writing hadith.

Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) who was the source of information was still alive and

around. Therefore companions did not put much interest in writing of hadith simply

because they would always prefer to him whenever they had problems.

There were poor transport and communication network at that time, therefore

memorisation was better.

It was majorly encouraged by the prophet and he acted as an example.

However, it had some challenges as; the message would die at the death of the memorisers;

Poor and weak memories of some companions; a memoriser could easily forget etc.

ii) TRANSMISSION.

This is when the companions used to get hadith from the prophet through verbal expressions,

silent approvals, practices and recommendations and then take it to others. So transmission of

Page 5: DEVELOPMENT OF HADITH LITERATURE (SCIENCE OF HADITH).kyaddondossmatugga.ac.ug/uploads/240/1586199964.pdf · (SCIENCE OF HADITH). Development of hadith literature involves 3 major

5 Ssekimwanyi Musa – 0705 332705 / 0777 023795 – Kyaddondo ss Dept.

notes.

hadith was a common method of preserving hadith during the prophet’s time. It was a practice

of the prophet that whenever people converted to Islam, he used to send teachers to teach them

Islam and these people used to take with them both the Qur’an and hadith.

The prophet encouraged transmission and as a result of this, many people participated in it for

example; at one time he told his companions; “Transmit from me even if a single word”.

On the farewell pilgrimage, the prophet when delivering his last sermon he said; “Hear this

from me, take it to those who are not here with us”

The prophet also used to praise and pray for those who used to transmit hadith and said; May

God reward those who hear my words, memorise them and take them to others”

One companion came to the prophet and asked him that who will be the successor of the

prophet, the prophet said; “Those who report my sayings and disseminate to others in the

same way”.

Evidence to show that hadith was transmitted during the prophets time is that traditions were

known to both those who were close and those who were distant to him.

iii) WRITING OF HADITH.

Writing of hadith was also one of the methods used to preserve hadith but on a small scale.

This was because of the scarcity of writing materials, discouragements from the prophet and

many reasons as we shall note below.

However there is evidence that some companions used to write down hadith during the

prophet’s time and he also used to allow some of his companions to write down hadith. For

example;

An Ansar called Amir Bin A’s complained about his poor memory and the prophet told him

that “Seek help from your right hand”.

Another companion by the names of Ibun Abas reports that; “I kept on writing hadith

throughout the night in the presence of the prophet but he never stopped me”

Even Abu – Musa reports that; “Nobody had more hadith than Ibun Abas and the reason

why he managed it, he used to write down hadith and the prophet never stopped him”.

Another companion came to the prophet and said; “I try to write with my hands along with my

heart, what do you direct me about it…..the prophet replied ‘If they are my sayings have them

written along with your heart”.

The fact that the prophet sent written messages to different leaders shows that he did not

completely object to writing.

Prophet Muhammad himself used to write letters to different leaders but since they were his

words, that’s evident enough to show that he allowed writing.

Much as companions (some) used to write hadith, he used to tell them not to confuse Quran

and hadith.

By the time of the prophet’s death, there is evidence that some hadith of the prophet had been

written on a few available materials like leaves, stones etc.

Therefore, it should be concluded that during the prophet’s time writing was one of the methods

used to preserve hadith though on small scale and the prophet used to allow it to specific

companions and used to caution them to always be careful not to confuse Quranic revelation

with hadith.

Page 6: DEVELOPMENT OF HADITH LITERATURE (SCIENCE OF HADITH).kyaddondossmatugga.ac.ug/uploads/240/1586199964.pdf · (SCIENCE OF HADITH). Development of hadith literature involves 3 major

6 Ssekimwanyi Musa – 0705 332705 / 0777 023795 – Kyaddondo ss Dept.

notes.

Why there was little work done during the prophet’s

time in the development of hadith literature

The state of hadith literature by the time of prophet’s death was not the best. At that time, hadith

was simply found in people’s memories that were scattered in different places. It was also

written down on poor materials which were not well organised. Below are some of the reasons

why there was little work done towards hadith during this period.

Writing as one of the method of preserving hadith was highly discouraged by the

prophet.

There was also the fear of confusing Quran with hadith which limited the use of some

materials like writing of hadith.

Illiteracy of the companions of the prophet that limited writing of the hadith.

Lack of suitable writing materials to be used in the preservation of hadith.

Some of the companions of the prophet had poor memory and this limited memorisation

as one of the method.

The companions used to have little time to dedicate in the development of hadith

because they were involved in number of activities like battles to defend Islam.

Companions used to work and earn a living.

Transmission as one of the method had a problem of poor transport.

The presence of the prophet made his companions reluctant to use some methods since

they would always approach him in case of any problem.

Due to the presence of the prophet, hadith was still coming down therefore companions

saw no need for compiling hadith.

Memorisation which seemed to be more popular had a problem whereby some

companions had poor memory, this also affected the development of hadith.

Presence of hypocrites. Some people instead of transmitting hadith were busy

conducting other businesses.

Competition with other religions like Christianity which had been spread there.

Rewards and punishments as promised by the prophet were more theoretical than

practical.

The problem of language barrier also limited the dissemination of Hadith during the Prophet’s time. There were people who were not Arabs yet it was essential to spread the message to them.

THE SECOND STAGE (PERIOD OF THE PROPHET’S COMPANIONS 11 -100AH)

It was the period between 11 -100AH. The death of the prophet marked the end of the first

stage and the beginning of the second stage of the collection of hadith. This is referred to as

the period of the companions of the prophet.

Due to the death of the prophet, the only source of hadith was the companions (Swahabah’s)

who had learnt hadith from him. During this time leadership of Islamic state was in the hands

of the four rightly guided caliphs and those who had not seen the prophet consulted them.

During this time hadith collection became important than before.

The homes of prominent companions became the learning centres / places and people started

vising them, learning and collecting hadith.

The following companions of the prophet played an important role in teaching hadith and were

found to have preserved many teachings of the prophet for example, Abu – Huraira collected

About 5374 traditions, Abdullah bin Malik collected 1286 traditions, Abdallah bin Umar

collected 1560 traditions, Abu Dauda had collected around 2660 traditions and many others.

Page 7: DEVELOPMENT OF HADITH LITERATURE (SCIENCE OF HADITH).kyaddondossmatugga.ac.ug/uploads/240/1586199964.pdf · (SCIENCE OF HADITH). Development of hadith literature involves 3 major

7 Ssekimwanyi Musa – 0705 332705 / 0777 023795 – Kyaddondo ss Dept.

notes.

During this stage, transmission of hadith became more important than before and Muslims

were moving from one place to another learning and justifying the truth of certain traditions.

Muslims also realised more importance of collecting and preserving hadith than in the first

stage because of the following reasons. (Necessity of compiling, preserving & collecting

Hadith after the prophet’s death).

The prophet who was the source of information had died and yet they needed hadith in their

daily life.

During this period, the compilation of the Qur’an was completed therefore there was no

fear of confusing the Quran and hadith because the revelation of the Qur’an ended when

the prophet was alive.

Increased need to use hadith as a source of Islamic law.

Hadith was also needed to explain and interpret the Quran.

Due to the expansion of the Islamic state, many people in the conquered places needed

hadith for guidance in their administration for example the governors.

Very many people had converted to Islam and yet these people had not seen the prophet.

There was also death of the companions of the prophet who had committed hadith into

memory either due to natural death or through battles aiming at defending Islam.

There was also need to protect hadith from forgery.

The increasing need to solve Muslim problems necessitated the collection of Hadith.

Immediately after the death of the Prophet, there arose disputes among Muslims, which

needed a coherent system of Hadith to provide solutions. For example, at the death of the

Prophet, his daughter Fatumah claimed that she was entitled to inheritance from the

Prophet. Abubakr quoted to her the Prophet’s saying negating her views, that:

“We Prophets don’t leave any estate but charity.” (Bukhari)

Again over the disputes of where the Prophet was to be buried, Abubakr quoted to the

companions a saying of the Prophet that:

“Let the prophet be buried in a place where he dies from …….”

Thus, such disputes and other similar needs in the Muslim community increased the need

to collect and compile Hadith

There were people who were attempting to forge hadith like the false prophets for example

Musailama, Sajja etc.

Many Muslims could now read and write unlike during the prophets time were illiteracy

was very common among the companions.

The writing materials were now present or in abundance.

The need to teach the new Muslim converts. These people no longer waited to be told

Muslims had realized its need for future generation so that it can make use of the prophets’

teachings as people refer to them.

Coming of people who were interested in writing hadith for example the early compilers,

Muhadithins etc.

Though the prophet discouraged the writing of hadith, he never stopped it completely, so it

became important and necessary to collect and compile traditions of the prophet since

revelation of the Quran had stopped.

Many Muslims wanted to demonstrate their love and respect they had for the prophet.

Hadith compilation was necessary in order to provide solutions to people’s daily problems.

This was because some problems would arise in absence of the people who had lived with

the Prophet or those who had memorized Hadith.

Page 8: DEVELOPMENT OF HADITH LITERATURE (SCIENCE OF HADITH).kyaddondossmatugga.ac.ug/uploads/240/1586199964.pdf · (SCIENCE OF HADITH). Development of hadith literature involves 3 major

8 Ssekimwanyi Musa – 0705 332705 / 0777 023795 – Kyaddondo ss Dept.

notes.

The presence of many centres of learning of Hadith meant that compilers had a lot to collect

and many people to consult. In addition, there were abundant materials for compilers and

students of Hadith to get Hadith from.

During this time, there was some attempts to write hadith in the book form for example Ibn

Abaas tried to put hadith together, Ali Ibn Abu-Talib put hadith together and called his

simple compilation Al – Qatadayah.

THE THIRD STAGE (PERIOD OF THE FOLLOWERS OF THE COMPANIONS OF THE

PROPHET 101 – 200 AH).

This is referred to as the period of the followers of the companions of the prophet. (Tabiins).

At this time, most of the companions of the prophet had died and the only source of hadith was

from those who had learnt hadith from the prophet’s companions.

During this stage, there were a number of developments on hadith for example the search for

hadith was no longer individual work but combined effort from different people. People started

vising learning centres from those who had learnt hadith from companions.

During this stage, writing as a method of preserving hadith became more important than other

methods because almost all the limitations of writing hadith had been done away with. For

example, writing materials were more available than before, many people could now read and

write, there were no more discouragements from the prophet, the Quran had already been

compiled and many other reasons.

Thirdly, the work of collecting hadith became a concern of leaders who started putting

conditions for people to collect and write down hadith for example Umar Bin Abdul – Aziz

(Umar II) of the Umayyad caliphate wrote to the governors instructing them to write down

hadith.

Because of Umar’s instructions and encouragement, a number of people started writing and

compiling hadith for example the governor of Medina (Abubakar Hazami) organised a book

Al – Jurqan. There were some other compilations for example Ibn Jarir. The most important

compilation by this stage were two; one of Imam Malik bin Anas which he called Al-

Muwatwa’a. The second was by Imam AL – Zuhri who tried to improve on the compilation

of the second stage.

The collection of hadith during this time was of the emergency of the Sunni schools of law /

schools of thought. These schools were established by prominent Imams / leaders for example

Abu Hanifah, Imam Malik, Imam Shafie and Imam Hambal. These people were using hadith

in the development of law and they participated in collection of hadith for example Imam

Hambal collected hadith into a book called Al – Musnad Ahmed bin Hambal, Imaam Malik

compiled Al – Muwatwa’a etc.

The collection of that time were mainly compiled into books called Musnad. However, the

compilations of this time were not the best. They had some loopholes for example;

They were brief.

Compilers did not move to many places to compile hadith.

They were not selective and as a result they compiled both weak and strong hadith

without identifying them.

Some compilations also confused prophet’s words and those of companions.

Page 9: DEVELOPMENT OF HADITH LITERATURE (SCIENCE OF HADITH).kyaddondossmatugga.ac.ug/uploads/240/1586199964.pdf · (SCIENCE OF HADITH). Development of hadith literature involves 3 major

9 Ssekimwanyi Musa – 0705 332705 / 0777 023795 – Kyaddondo ss Dept.

notes.

THE FOURTH STAGE O HADITH COLLECTION.

(201 – 300AH TABI – TABIINS TIME) It was between 201 – 300AH. It was the stage of Tabi – Tabiins i.e. the followers of the

followers of the companions of the prophet. This period is taken to be the golden stage of

hadith collection. During this hadith flourished under vigorous critical research. It is

referred to as the golden age of hadith literature because of the following;

The collection of hadith during this stage and the collectors of this period were

more organised than before.

This is when the six sound compilers emerged and the system of the collection

which they were using was more organised since it was done for the purposes of

compilation.

The six sound compilers came up with the most authentic books of hadith like

Bukhar (Sahih Bukhar), Muslim (Sahih Muslim), Abu Dauda (Sunan Abu Dauda),

Tirimidhi (Jami Tirimidhi), Ibn Majah (Sunnan Ibn Majah), Al Nisae (Sunnan

Nisae).

These books have been considered to be very good by scholars of hadith through

ages up to now the students of hadith are still referring to them and are found in

libraries of Islamic knowledge.

The compilations of the time were so organised that compilers identified the two

methods of arranging hadith and these were using of Musnad and Jami. Musnad is

where the hadith is arranged according to the chain of transmission and Jami means

the arrangement of hadith according to the subject matter.

These compilations were also extensive and included traditions reported by people

of many places.

The compilers of this time were very selective and during their compilations and

therefore fully compiled authentic traditions.

Some of these compilers had well searched and organised books of hadith for

example Bukhar, Muslim etc.

The collectors of that time travelled to many places and collected many traditions.

The six sound compilers laid down common conditions (canons) or rules which

were used in collection and acceptance of hadith.

They also tried to arrange the traditions basing on the subject matter which made

those books to be easily used.

They also tried to trace and clearly show the chain of narrators.

They also tried to classify hadith depending on authenticity and accuracy.

The compilation of the time opened room for students to do more research on

hadith and as a result of this, students stared a critical study of those hadith and

analysed the subject matter and chain of narrators of those traditions.

The fabricated traditions were separated from the genuine ones.

THE FIFTH STAGE O HADITH COLLECTION.

(301 – 600AH PERIOD OF THE MUHADITHINS) By this stage, the work of collecting hadith seems to have been completed because of the efforts

put in by the six sound compilers. However, there were some developments made on the

collection and compilation of hadith after the fourth stage for example;

The chain of narrators were further examined and critically analysed.

The subject matter of the traditions compiled by the 6 sound compilers was also

analysed.

Page 10: DEVELOPMENT OF HADITH LITERATURE (SCIENCE OF HADITH).kyaddondossmatugga.ac.ug/uploads/240/1586199964.pdf · (SCIENCE OF HADITH). Development of hadith literature involves 3 major

10 Ssekimwanyi Musa – 0705 332705 / 0777 023795 – Kyaddondo ss Dept.

notes.

The known Muhadithins of this time were, Al – Razi, Al – Darqun, Al – Baihaque etc. these

ones were followed by others like Sharif Din who is known to have written a revised edition

according to the subject matter and in alphabetical order and gave it a little Tafsir – al – usulu.

The compilation of the six sound compilers were abridged.

There were many other hadith books written in many languages of Muslims all-over the world.

Revision questions.

1. Hadith collection was an inevitable episode. Comment.

2. How would you explain the increased effort in the work of collecting hadith after the death

of the prophet?

3. The later century of Hijrah saw an added impetus in the work of hadith collection unlike

during the prophet’s period. How do you account for this?

4. Hadith collection was a gradual process. Discuss.

5. Describe fully the efforts which were put in the exercise of hadith collection between 101

and 300 AH.

6. a) Justify the view that there was little work done on the development of hadith literature

during the prophet’s time from 610 – 632 AD.

b) Why was there need for the revival of hadith collection in the later years?

7. Describe the process which hadith went through before attaining the current form. e.t.c.

THE COMPILATION OF HADITH.

To compile means to bring together materials for a purpose either of putting it in an organised

manner.

During the Prophet’s time, Hadith were mainly preserved in memory of the Prophet’s companions although some few of the companions preserved Hadith by writing.

The compilation of Hadith started after the Prophet’s death more especially during the period of the Tabiin (the third stage of Hadith collection). During this period, Muslims realized the need to compile and revive Hadith.

Therefore, after the Prophet’s death, Hadith were collected and preserved in volumes of books. This compilation was done in 2 major stages;

i) Stage of early compilers. ii) Stage of the 6 sound compilers.

THE EARLY COMPILERS OF HADITH.

(THE EARLY COMPILERS BEFORE THE 6

CELEBRATED COMPILERS) The third stage of hadith collection gave the birth of the coming up of the early compilers of

hadith. These people, the early compilers of hadith initiated the work of compiling hadith in

books. There were very many people who collected at this time but the most prominent of the

compilers of this time (Tabiins) were Imam Malik bin Anas, Imam Al – Zuhr, Imam Sufyan

Ibn Uyaina etc.

The compilers of this time came up with books / compilations which had some weaknesses /

loopholes / shortcomings but they were assisted by the later compilers since they used them as

references. However, the compilations of that time had some loopholes / weaknesses and had

the following characteristics;

The traditions were not well arranged. They were mere collections without any sort of

arrangement of the material in proper orders.

Page 11: DEVELOPMENT OF HADITH LITERATURE (SCIENCE OF HADITH).kyaddondossmatugga.ac.ug/uploads/240/1586199964.pdf · (SCIENCE OF HADITH). Development of hadith literature involves 3 major

11 Ssekimwanyi Musa – 0705 332705 / 0777 023795 – Kyaddondo ss Dept.

notes.

They compiled hadith without considering their strength and weaknesses.

Some mixed hadith with sayings of companions and some books had hadith mixed up

with the legal decisions of the four caliphs and other companions as well as their

successors.

The traditions were not extensively collected therefore many of the compiled traditions

were collected from a few places.

Their traditions were brief and covered a few topics and in each topic there were a few

traditions hence not being so exhaustive.

Compilers did not move to many places to compile hadith and as a result only compiled

traditions that were taught at the centres where they lived or worked leaving out

traditions which came from other centres.

Their books were not arranged in organised topics / chapters but traditions were

randomly organised and compiled.

They tried to show a chain of narrators but in many of their books it was not very clear.

Most authors collected hadith in many fashions and value according where he was

taught i.e. the school of thought.

There was a lot of unauthentic hadith compiled together with the authentic ones that

forced the later Muhadithins to set up canons to eliminate the forged traditions.

Most of the early books have either been lost or absorbed by the later encyclopaedic

literature of hadith and thus did not retain their separate entity for example Al – Zuhr’s

work.

Their compilations did not put strong consideration of Isnad and Matin.

However, the above characteristics had some loopholes and despite the weaknesses of the early

compilation, the compiled books were of great importance in the work of the development of

Hadith Literature, in that:

These compilations bridged the gap between those who saw the Prophet and those who

didn’t see him. This was because those who didn’t meet the Prophet but were interested

in the study of Hadith, just read the reports of the early compilers

The early compilations gave room to other compilers to come up with better books of

Hadith. In fact the early compilations acted as a stepping stone for the emergence of the

six sound compilers of Hadith.

Many of the early compilers never considered their work as being final. Therefore those

who followed them saw it necessary to compile more and better books.

Although the early compilations contained weak and forged Hadith, they consisted of

more accurate hadith that provided a sound legal ruling.

Most of what later collectors and compilers used as materials for their collections and

compilations were made available by the early collectors. .

The early collectors worked out definitions, technical terms and other aspects for the

development of the science of Hadith

The early compilations removed the negative attitudes towards the collections and

compilation of Hadith. After the early compilations, more people took interest to compile

Hadith; and it is no wonder that the six sound compilers of Hadith emerged after some

time.

There compilations served as a way for the preservation of hadith from forgery. This is

because some of these compilers tried to select forged traditions from genuine ones.

The later 6 sound compilers always referred to their compilations / books.

They also tried to show the chain of narrators to prove authenticity of such traditions.

They initiated the work of compiling hadith which was supported by other compilers

e.g. the six sound compilers.

They also taught hadith to those who had not seen the swahabas.

Page 12: DEVELOPMENT OF HADITH LITERATURE (SCIENCE OF HADITH).kyaddondossmatugga.ac.ug/uploads/240/1586199964.pdf · (SCIENCE OF HADITH). Development of hadith literature involves 3 major

12 Ssekimwanyi Musa – 0705 332705 / 0777 023795 – Kyaddondo ss Dept.

notes.

Their compilations have been used in the understanding of the concept of Islam like

fasting, Hijja, prayers etc. which are not so elaborative in the Quran.

Their compilations have been taught in schools and institutions and examined. This has

helped to groom a learned society that will propel the Islamic faith in future generation.