Hadith

Chapters of Sahih Bukhari hadiths

Translation of Shaih Bukhari hadith

Sahih Bukhari is a collection of sayings and deeds of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), also known as the sunnah. The reports of the Prophet's sayings and deeds are called ahadith. Bukhari lived a couple of centuries after the Prophet's death and worked extremely hard to collect his ahadith. Each report in his collection was checked for compatibility with the Qur'an, and the veracity of the chain of reporters had to be painstakingly established. Bukhari's collection is recognized by the overwhelming majority of the Muslim world to be one of the most authentic collections of the Sunnah of the Prophet (SAW). It is important to realize, however, that Bukhari's collection is not complete: there are other scholars who worked as Bukhari did and collected other authentic reports.

There are a number of books compiled by Bukhari however, Sahih Bukhari has gained great esteem and a high status in the learning and praying of ahadith.

A specific date has not been known as to when he had started the writing of Sahih Bukhari, however, we do know that after he had finished he had shown the manuscript to his teachers Imam Ahmad Ibn Hanbal for approval who died in 241 A.H, along with Ibnul-Madeeni who died in 234 A.H, and lastly Ibn Maeen who passed away in 233 A.H. It has also been recorded that it took the noble writer a period of 16 years to gather the ahadith and to write Sahih Bukhari which sets the date back to 217 A.H, as the year in which he started the compilation; Bukhari being merely 23 years of age.

Before Bukhari had started to collect ahaadeeth there had actually been quite a few published books of ahadith in which Bukhari found ahadith of both weak and strong testimonials, which gave him the idea to compile such a book containing ahadith of only strong testimonials. Ishaaq Ibn Rahway agreed to this idea which strengthened Bukhari’s decision.

Bukhari states, "There was once a time during one of our sessions when my teacher Ishaaq Ibn Rahway remarked it would be appreciated if someone could collect ahadith which held strong and reliable testimonials and write them in the form of a book." This inspired Bukhari which was later strengthened by a dream in which Bukhari met the Prophet (SAW). Upon waking, he visited several interpreters for an appropriate interpretation. They all answered that it meant he would in future cleanse the Prophet (SAW) of all lies spoken by the people through narrating misunderstood ahadith. This gave Bukhari great comfort and strength once he started the writing of his book Al- Jame-ul-Sahih. The complete name of the book is ‘Al-Jame-ul-Sahih-al-Musnad-min-ahaadeethe- Rasulillah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam-wa-sunanihi-wa-Ayyaamihi,’ which means a collected version of ahadith in the form of a book which relates to us the sayings, actions and the life of the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam (SAW).

Bukhari had taken great care in writing the ahadith and choosing those which met the standards and conditions which he set to find ahadith with only strong testimonials which included only reliable and trustworthy testifiers. He spent 16 years in writing the book, altering it a total of three times. Allaamah Ayni reports of Ibn Tahir’s remark that Bukhari had written Sahih Bukhari in his hometown Bukhara. Ibn Bujair however, relates that he had started his compiling in Makkah, and some have reported of seeing him in Basra. There is still another differing remark made by others who comment on seeing him in Madinah to write his book. However, we find Bukhari relating himself that he wrote Sahih Bukhari in Masjid-e-Haraam.

Before he actually placed a hadith in his compilation he used to perform ghusl and prayed to Allah (SWT) through two rakah nafl prayers asking for guidance. Bukhari worked such that only after being completely satisfied with the hadith in question did he give it a place in his book. Due to this great care which was taken, the people were heard to say that the ahadith which Bukhari has narrated have been so carefully phrased and with such precision that it is felt that Bukhari had heard the ahadith directly through the Prophet(SAW).

Abu Zaid Marwazi reports that I was once asleep in between the ‘Black stone’ and ‘Maqaam-e- Ibrahim’ when the Prophet (SAW) appeared in my dream he stated, "O Abu Zaid! For how long shall you teach Imam Shafi’s book ? When shall you start the teaching of my book?"

I questioned, "O Prophet (SAW)! Which book is yours?" He replied, "Mohammed Ibn Ismail’s Al- Jame-ul-Sahih."

Hafiz Ibn Hajar reports that Bukhari has kept it of utmost importance to only narrate ahadith of a strong testimonial which can be proven by the name of the book. However, along with this Bukhari also made an effort to explain all points which are difficult to understand, which is the reason why he has given a plentiful host of meanings for one sentence which may include a word that is in reality difficult to understand. Bukhari has included within his book(s) the art of narrating ahadith which have been divided into eight different chapters. These chapters contain subjects which have been sub-titled and are famous for the ingenious way in which they have been phrased.

Bukhari has imposed conditions which all narrators and testifiers must meet before the hadith can be selected. One condition requires that all testifiers must have a strong memory. There are also restrictions made upon this condition:

All the Muhadditheen who possess great knowledge of ahadith must agree upon the testifiers... in question ability to learn and memorize, along with his reporting techniques.

The testimonial must be complete without any missing testifiers.

If there are two different narrators of a hadith related to them by a Sahaabi then the hadith shall be given a high stage in rank. However, if only one narrator can be found and the testimonial proves to be a strong one then this shall be accepted without any doubts.

Allaamah Nawawi relates that all scholars in Islam have agreed that Sahih Bukhari has earnestly gained the reward of being the most authentic after the Holy Qur’an.

The famous and respected Muhaddith, Imam Bukhari’s genealogy is as follows: Mohammed Ibn Ismail Ibn Ibrahim Ibn Mugheera Ibn Bardizbah.

His father Ismail was a well-known and famous Muhaddith in his time and had been blessed with the chance of being in the company of Imam Malik, Hammad Ibn Zaid and also Abdullah Ibn Mubarak.

Bukhari (full name Abu Abdullah Muhammad bin Ismail bin Ibrahim bin al-Mughira al-Ja'fai) was born on the blessed day of Friday 13 Shawwaal 194 (A.H). He had lost the use of his eyes in the early stages of his childhood. However, due to the pious and lengthy prayers of his mother his eyesight was returned miraculously. The news had reached his mother through a dream in which Hadhrat Ibrahim (AS) had appeared and said, "Due to your bountiful and sacred prayers Allah (SWT) has returned the eyesight of your son." The dream was proven to be true in the morning.

Ismail the father of Bukhari had died in Bukhari's childhood, leaving him in the care of his mother where he was nourished with love and care. At the age of sixteen after having memorized the compiled books of Imam Waki and Abdullah Ibn Mubarak, he performed Hajj with his elder brother and mother. After the completion of Hajj Bukhari remained in Makkah for a further two years and upon reaching the age of eighteen headed for Medinah, and spent his nights next to the grave of the Prophet (SAW) compiling the books of ‘Qadhaayas-Sahaabah Wat-Taabi’een’ and ‘Taareekhul- Kabeer’ with the moonlight as a means of lighting. Bukhari traveled a great deal in order to expand his knowledge. He made two trips to Syria and Egypt and stayed six years in Arabia. He also happened to return to Kufa, Baghdad and Basra four times and at times remained there for a period of five years. Also at Hajj season he used to return to Makkah.

Bukhari first started listening and learning ahadith in 205 A.H., and after profiting from the Ulamaa of his town he started his travels in 210 A.H. There are a great number of teachers from whom Bukhari actually gained his much respected knowledge. It has been known to be said by Imam Special Attributes. Bukhari himself that, "I have written ahaidth from 1080 different people all of whom were scholars." However, he profited most from Ishaq Ibn Rahway and Ali Ibn Madeeni. Bukhari has narrated ahadith from Ulamaa of five different categories. He has also narrated ahadith from his students believing in the fact that no person shall be titled a scholar of ahadith until he has narrated from his elders, youngsters and contemporaries.

Bukhari also had a vast amount of students. It has been stated that thousands were privileged to sit in his lessons where he taught his book Shahi Bukhari. There were travelers amongst these from all corners of the world in order to join these pious sittings and to be honoured with a glimpse of the knowledge that he held and which never failed to astonish anybody.

Bukhari’s memory was considered to be inhuman, for as soon as the praying of a hadith would finish Bukhari would repeat it orally. It has been known that in his childhood he had memorized many ahadiths.

There is one spectacular incident which took place in Baghdad when Bukhari took up temporary residence there. The people having heard of his many accomplishments, and the attributes which were issued to him, decided to test him so as to make him prove himself to them. In order to do that they chose one hundred different ahaadeeth and changing the testimonials and the text of the ahaadeeth they were then recited by ten people to Bukhari.

There was a crowd of gathered people from within and outside the city to witness the outcome of such a test. When the ahaadeeth were recited Bukhari replied to all in one manner, "Not to my knowledge." However, after the completion of all the ahaadeeth Imam Bukhari (R.A) repeated each text and testimonial which had been changed followed by the correct text and testimonial, such was the memory of Bukhari.

Bukhari had one very special attribute which was to put everyone’s happiness before his own. One incident which proves this is when Bukahri’s slave-girl was entering the room in which Bukhari was seated however, approaching the door she stumbled; causing Bukhari to warn, "Be careful as to where you are walking." The slave-girl replied haughtily "How shall I walk when there is no place?" Upon hearing this Bukhari threw up his hands and cheered, "I have now given you the freedom to walk where you wish as of now you are freed." Someone later questioned Bukhari if he had reacted out of anger, however, he replied "No, I have just pleased myself with my conduct."

Bukhari always took notice of all things little which could help him earn the happiness of Allah (SWT). There is one such incident where there was a gathering. A man from within the crowd found a feather within his beard which he threw on the floor. Bukhari followed the mans action and looking around to make sure no-one was looking and then bent in order to pick it up and placed it in his pocket. After leaving the mosque he threw it away aware of the fact that he had just done something in order to help keep the mosque clean.

Bukhari states himself that, "From the time of learning the prohibitions of backbiting till now, I have refrained from such an act."

There is also one incident when Bukhari was involved in Zohar prayers. After completing his salaah he started to pray his Nafl. On finishing this he turned towards his companions and lifting the bottom of his shirt said, Is there anything inside this?" Suddenly a wasp fell out leaving 17 places which were swelling due to the violent stings of the wasp. One companion asked why the salaah was not discontinued. He replied, "I felt a certain pleasure from my salaah which I was reluctant to let go of."

His abstinence was also an attribute which was incomparable and undauntless. He had been left a considerable amount of wealth by his father however, due to his generosity he spent it all in the path of Allah so that at the end he had been left with no money forcing him to spend his day on one or two almonds. He never took advantage from the generosity of any king or ruler, although many occasions arose.

Death. The Governor of Bukhara made a special request for Bukhari to make daily visits to his home in order to teach his children. Bukhari declined stating that, "I give greater respect to knowledge rather than to people, for it is they who are in need of the knowledge and it is they who should seek it."

Upon hearing this the Governor was further annoyed by Bukhari’s answer and made a second request that Bukhari make a special arrangement to teach his children alone without anyone else being present which was also refused by Bukhari. The Governor was infuriated by the second refusal and ordered Bukhari out of Bukhara. The people of Samarqand hearing of this quickly issued an invitation to Imam Bukhari to come to their town. However, there was also a difference of opinion within the people of Samarqand which forced Bukhari to turn towards Khartang.

It was here that he spent the month of Ramadaan and in the month of Shawwaal headed towards Samarqand, where death found him whilst he was travelling. Bukhari died in the month of Shawwaal 256 A.H., at the age of 62. (To Allah we belong and to Him we shall return.)