Main Divisions of The Hadith

1
Main Divisions/Categories of Hadiths:

There are four types of Hadith with respect to its authenticity. These include Al- Sahih (authentic); Al-
Hasan (the good), Al- Daif (the weak) and Al-Maudo (the fabricated). Only the first two are held to be
reliable. Hence, only the Ahadith of these two categories are held to be the source of Islamic law. The
other two kinds have little or no value especially in the law making matters.
i) Al-Sahih (the Authentic)

This name is given to the Hadith in which both the chain and the text fulfill the criteria set by
Muhaditheen. “What is reported by a reporter who is honest and of good memory power, without any
break in the chain of narrators, without any rareness and without any illah (defect)”. The chain (Sanad)
of Hadith must be perfect. Narrator must not be a liar, the chain must not be broken, the narrator must
have not been involved in major sins. A sahih Hadith also fulfills the criteria of Matan (text) as fixed by
Hadith scholars. There should be no irregularities in texts. The text should not go against the Quran or
approved sunnah. Text should be in classic Arabic and must not contain the modern words. The text
should not go against the common sense.
Example: Narrated By Abu Huraira (r.a.) : Holy Prophet said, "When Allah completed the creation, He
wrote in His Book which is with Him on His Throne, "My Mercy overpowers My Anger."
ii) Al-Hassan (the good)

This kind is taken as Sahih Hadith but has a some very small weakness in chain. It does not contain any
weakness in text (Matan). It can be used in legal matters. This Kind of Hadith excels the Daeef Hadith
but it does not reach to the standards of Sahih Hadith.
Example. The Prophet (s.a.w.) said, "A single rider is a devil (i.e. disobedient), two riders are two
devils, but three make a travelling party."
iii) Al-Daeef (the weak)

The Arabic term ‘Daeef’ literally means ‘weak’; thus a ‘Daeef Hadith’ when used in Islamic
terminology means that the narration attributed to the Prophet (s.a.w.) has a weak or broken chain of
narrators and thus the hadith is ‘weak’ and not considered authentic.
A Hadith which fails to reach the status of Hasan. This kind of hadith is that in which some weakness is
found in either in the chain or in the text of the Hadith. This kind of hadith cannot be used for Ahkaam
or making religious law in Islam.
Example. “The disagreement among my ummah is a mercy”
iv)Al-Maudu (the fabricated/ Forged)

This kind of Hadith in fact has no existence. These Hadiths contain serious errors in both the chain and
the text. Muslim’s scholars have always avoided taking these hadiths and criticized those who made
these Hadiths. These kinds of hadiths must not be used in any aspect of Islam. Several scholars of
Hadith have collected fabricated hadiths separately in order to distinguish them from other hadiths;
among them is Ibn al-Jauzi’s Al-Mauduaat. Maudu hadiths are also recognized by external evidence
related to a discrepancy found in the dates or times of a particular incident. There are several signs of
fabrication. These include the disproportionately high rewards for small good deeds or
disproportionately severe punishments for ordinary sins, non-Arabic style or structure, fanciful
statements that the Prophet could not have made, statements claimed to have been made by the Prophet
in the presence of many Companions, but which are not reported by any of them.
2
Example. “I was a prophet when there was no Adam and no clay”
Further division/types of Hadiths

1. Mutawatir
 A Hadith which has been narrated by a number of people in every level of the chain such that it is
impossible for all of them to make a mistake.
 The number of narrators are in majority in all times of narration, from beginning to end
Mutawatir is of two kinds
i) Mutawatir Lafzi (In which the words narrated remain the same throughout the time.
Example:
Around 62 Companions from the Prophet (s.aw.) have reported this Hadith, "Whoever attributes a lie to
me intentionally, let him prepare his seat in the Fire (Hell)."
ii) Mutawatir Ma’nawi. A Hadith in which though the words are different but the meaning remains the
same from the start to the end.
2. Aahad or khabar wahid
It is one which is narrated by people whose number does not reach that of the mutawatir case.
Ahad is further classified into mashhur, 'aziz and gharib.
i)Mash'hur - famous: hadith reported by more than two reporters.
ii) Aziz - rare, strong: at any stage in the isnad, only two reporters are found to narrate the hadith.
iii)Gharib - strange: At some stage of the Isnad, only one reporter is found relating it.
• Ahad Hadith may be Sahih, Hasan or Daeef
• According to the majority of the four Sunni schools, acting upon Ahad is obligatory even if Ahad fails to
produce positive knowledge provided certain conditions are met.
• However, Ahad may not be relied upon as the basis of belief (aqidah). Therefore, issues that
revolve between belief (iman) and disbelief (kufr) cannot be proven by Ahad narrations

Main Divisions of The Hadith

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Main Divisions of The Hadith

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Main Divisions of The Hadith

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

1

Main Divisions/Categories of Hadiths:

i) Al-Sahih (the Authentic)

ii) Al-Hassan (the good)

iii) Al-Daeef (the weak)

iv)Al-Maudu (the fabricated/ Forged)

Example. “I was a prophet when there was no Adam and no clay”

Further division/types of Hadiths

You might also like