Grades of Ahadith

 

Abdullah ibn Amr reported:

RasulAllah Sallallahu Alayhi wasalam, said,

“Convey from me, even a single verse.

Narrate from the children of Israel, for there is no blame in it.

Whoever deliberately lies about me,

let him take his seat in Hellfire.”

Source: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 3274

Grade: Sahih authentic) according to Al-Bukhari

 

 

Grades of Ahadith

Ahadith are categorized and graded according to a number of factors which the classical scholars have over time mastered. The key factor is reliability.

 

 

Five essential Grades of Ahadith

Sahih – meaning it is an absolutely sound and reliable ahadith

Hasan – meaning it is a good and reliable ahadtih

Dhaeef – meaning it is a weak ahadith

Mawdu – meaning it is a fabricated ahadith, Shekh Albaani Rh has elucidated greatly on this aspect

 

Requirements for Grading

Sahih

In order for a hadith to be categorized as Sahih certain conditions require being met;

A     The Character of each person who is transmitting the narration

        • Trustworthy – in deen
        • Truthful – not known for transmitting false narrations
        • Sound Mind – Understands and knows the wording of the narration
        • Sound Mind – understands that expression and emphasis in narration alters meaning

 

B    The Isnaad

        • Free from defect in the chain of narration
        • meeting the requirements of each narrator being Trustworthy, Truthful, of sound understanding and knowing the ahadith
        • meeting the requirements of existing within the relevant particular time of the relative narrators.

 

C    The Matn (Text, Narration)

        • The text is not irregular as with regards to either Quran or Sunnah
        • Certain exceptions to this exist; These exceptions would fall within the one of the three modes of transmission of Wahi. As an example; Hadith Qudsi would include words not related by the Quran but are nonetheless Sahih. SImilarly other narrations which include abrogation of certain rules of the Quran, which are also be classified as Sahih.

 

 

Hasan (Good and Reliable)

A hasan ahadith meets all the requirements;

Requirements of

        • Character
        • Isnaad 
        • Matn

 

Isnaad

The Isnaad in Hasan ahadith, does however require enquiry, as one of the narrators

        • may not necessarily be reported by other known narrators.
        •  Is truthful but the memory of the narrator of the ahadith is not as sustained as that found in a narrator of a Sahih ahadith.

The ahadith are therefore corroborated via other chains of narrations and therefore irregularities are should be avoided.

 

 

Dhaeef (Weak Ahadith)

Dhaeef ahadith stem from the requirements not being met, thus the narration is weak due to either of the following;

  • the issue in character ; unsound mind. untruthful, not trustworthy, or;
  • the issue in the Isnaad ; issue in the chain of narration, where the characters in the chain fall in being of unsound mind, untruthful, did not exist at that point in history
  • the issue in the matn / text : it is found to be irregular in totality, against and opposes established narrations,

 

 

 

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