Introduction to Al-Hadith | Types of Hadiths based on Sanad | Types of hadith based on Matan | Importance of Hadith || Enayetul Karim ||

 Introduction :

Hadith is the second source of Islamic Sharia. The place of Sunnah or hadith is after the Quran. Similarly, the words, deeds and tacit consents of the Companions (Sahabi) and the Tabi’is are also called hadith. During the Prophet’s (pbuh) lifetime, the writing of hadith was firstly prohibited for fear of matching with the Qur’an. But then the memory of the Arabs was very sharp. They could memorise what they heard. The Great Prophet (PBUH) also encouraged them to memorize hadiths. The Holy Prophet (PBUH) said - ‘Blessed is the person who listens to my hadith, preserves it and conveys it to others exactly as he heard it’ (Tirmidhi)

Introduction to Al-Hadith :

Hadith is an Arabic word. The word is a noun, it is singular,  Alahadith is plural.Its literal meaning is word, speech, deed, message, news, description, etc. In terms of Islamic Shari’ah, Hadiths are the words, actions, support of the Prophet’s actions, approval and things proved by reliable sources. That is, what Rasulullah (SAW) said, did, approved in his life as a Prophet and supported and agreed to all the actions and words of the Companions are all hadiths.

Sanad and  Matan of Hadith :

Hadith has two parts. One is sanad and the other is matan.

Sanad : The tradition of hadith narrators is called sanad. In other words, the main words of the hadith is sanad in terms of hadith. And the one who narrates hadith is called Rabi or narrator of hadith.

Matan : The main statement of the hadith is called Matan.

 Types of Hadiths based on Sanad  :

There are two types of hadith in terms of Sanad.

1. Mutawatir                   2. Khabar-e-Wahed

1. Mutawatir : Mutawatir is said to be a hadith which has been narrated by a large number of narrators (Rabi) and it is impossible to agree on the falsehood of all of them and the majority of them is still there from the beginning to the end. For example: This hadith has been narrated from numerous narrators at all levels.

2. Khabr-e-Wahed :

Khabr -e-Wahed A hadith whose number of rabies or narrators is slightly less than Mutawatir hadith is known as Khabr-e-Wahed.

 Types of Khabr-e-Wahed :

There are three types of Khabr-e-Wahed.

(1) Mashhoor

(2) Aziz

(3) Gareeb

(1) The word Mashhoor : means famous, declared. Literally it means that the number of hadith narrators is less than Mutawatir hadith; but those are narrated by at least three or more narrators in every age. They are called Mashhoor Hadith.

(2) Aziz : Aziz means few and rare. Because the number of narrators in this hadith is less and rare compared to Mutawatir and Mashhoor. In terminological sense, the hadith narrated by at least two rabies in every age, i.e. the number of narrators is not less than two at any level, is called Aziz hadith.

(3) Gareeb : Gareeb means lonely or away from relatives or rare. Terminologically, a hadith narrated by only one rabi at a time is known as a Gareeb Hadith.

 Different types of hadith according to Sanad or Rabi’s tradition :

There are three types of hadith in terms of Sanad or Rabi's tradition.

(1) Marfu Hadith;

(2) Mauquf Hadith;

(3) Maktu Hadith.

(1) Marfu Hadith : A hadith that has been narrated by the Prophet (pbuh) is called Marfu Hadith. That is, the hadith in which Rasulullah (pbuh) himself has described any word, action or approval of any matter is known as Marfu Hadith.

(2) Mauquf Hadith : A hadith that has been narrated by the Companions (RA) is called a Mauquf Hadith. That is, the hadiths that describe the words, actions or approval of the companions are known as mauquf hadiths.

(3) Maktu Hadith : A hadith that mentions the words, actions or approval of Tabee'i is known as maktu hadith.

 Types of hadith based on Matan:

There are three types of hadith based on Matan.

(1) Kawli Hadith

(2) Fe’li Hadith

(3) Takriri Hadith

(1) Kawli Hadith : The meaning of the word Kawli is talk or sayings. The holy sayings of Rasulullah (SAW) are called Kawli (narrative) hadiths.

(2) Fe’li Hadith : The word Fe’li means action or work. Those hadiths which describe some action of Rasulullah (SAW) are called Fe’li hadiths.

(3) Takriri Hadith: The word Takriri means to agree, approve, support. The approving hadiths of the Holy Prophet (SAW) are called Takriri hadiths. Many times the Companions did something in front of the Holy Prophet (pbuh). But Rasulullah (SAW) did not do it himself or prevented it from being done, rather he was silent. Such silence is considered consent. And this type of hadith is called Takriri (permissive) hadiths.

 Importance of Hadith :

The main foundation of Islamic philosophy is Al-Quran and the second foundation is Al-Hadith. Al-Qur’an has given the basic principles of life and Al-Hadith has explained and implemented those basic principles. Al-Hadith is the accurate interpretation of the Quran, the detailed description of the life, actions and ideals of the Messenger of Allah (PBUH), as well as the detailed descriptions of his sayings, actions and instructions. Human beings face numerous problems to go about their daily life. The perfect solution to all these problems is in the hadith. Hadith is essential to get correct knowledge about the details in people’s daily life. Hadith guides to call mankind to the path of justice, truth and peace. Studying and practicing hadith is very important in the life of Muslims.No Muslim can deny the hadith. This is because Allah Ta’ala asked to accept all the deeds of Rasul (SAW) and to abandon what He prohibited. It has been declared in the Quran,

 ما اتاكم الرسول فاخذوه وما نهاكم عنه فانتهوا

Meaning : ‘Accept what the Messenger provides you and refrain from what he forbids you.’ (Al-Quran, Surah Hashar, verse-07)

The Qur’an is a revealed ohi from Allah Almighty. The hadith is unpublished ohi. Because Rasulullah (peace be upon him) himself never said a fabricated thing. He used to inform people about various things after receiving the guidance of Almighty Allah. Allah the Almighty says: 

وما ينطق عن الهوى ان هو الا وحي يوحى

Meaning: Nor does he speak of his own whims. It is only a revelation sent down to him. (Surah An-Nazm: 3-4)

Hadith contains practical guidance to guide mankind to the right path. In this regard, Rasulullah (SAW) said,[1]

 تركت فيكم أمرين، لن تضلوا ما تمسكتم بهما: كتاب الله، وسنة رسول الله

Meaning : ‘I have left among you two things, if you hold fast to them you will not go astray. And those are the Book of Allah and the Sunnah or Hadith of His Messenger.’ (Muatta Malik)

 Conclusion :

It is clearly evident from the above discussion that the importance and necessity of the hadith of the Holy Prophet (pbuh) in human life is immense. There is no scope for denying or disregarding the hadith. So we will act according to the hadith of the Prophet and arrange our lives in the light of the hadith.

 

Mao: Enayetul Karim

Senior Teacher, Writer & Islamic Speaker

                                                                         Cambrian College, Mohammadpur, Dhaka.