Introduction
AṢ-ṢIḤĀḤU ʾS-SITTAH (الصحاح الستة), or ‘The Six Authentic Books,’ represent the six most trusted collections of Hadith in Sunni Islam. These monumental works serve as crucial sources for understanding the Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) sayings, actions, and tacit approvals.
Etymology and Background
The term AṢ-ṢIḤĀḤU ʾS-SITTAH translates to ‘The Six Correct Books.’ Each word carries significant weight:
- AṢ-ṢIḤĀḤ (الصحاح): Derived from the root word ‘Ṣ-Ḥ-Ḥ,’ broadly meaning ‘correct’ or ‘authentic.’
- AS-SITTAH (الستة): Meaning ‘six.’
Collectively, this term underscores the reliability and accuracy attributed to these collections by Sunni Muslims.
The Six Books
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Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī (جامع الصحيح)
- Compiler: Abū ʿAbdi ʾllāh Muḥammad ibn Ismāʿīl al-Bukhārī
- Born/Died: AH 194 / AH 256
- Significance: Universally held as the most authentic Hadith collection.
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Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim (المسند الصحيح)
- Compiler: Abū ʾl-Ḥusain Muslim ibn al-Ḥajjāj al-Qushairī
- Born/Died: AH 204 / AH 261
- Significance: Considered second only to Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī.
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Sunan Abū Dāwūd (سنن أبي داود)
- Compiler: Abū Dāʾūd Sulaimān ibn Ashʿas̤ as-Sijistānī
- Born/Died: AH 202 / AH 275
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Jāmiʿ al-Tirmidhī (جامع الترمذي)
- Compiler: Abū ʿĪsā Muḥammad ibn ʿĪsā al-Tirmidhī
- Born/Died: AH 209 / AH 279
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Sunan an-Nasāʾī (السنن الكبرى، سنن النسائي)
- Compiler: Abū ʿAbdi r-Raḥmān Aḥmad ibn Shuʿaib an-Nasāʾī
- Born/Died: AH 215 / AH 303
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Sunan Ibn Mājah (سنن ابن ماجه)
- Compiler: Abū ʿAbdi llāh Muḥammad ibn Yazīd Ibn Mājah al-Qazwīnī
- Born/Died: AH 209 / AH 273
Alternative: Al-Muwaṭṭa (الموطأ) by Mālik ibn Anas, deemed valid by some scholars, especially Ḥanafīs.
Cultural Relevance
These books not only serve as authoritative religious texts but also function as critical academic references for scholars and students of Islam.
Similarities and Differences
While all six books are respected, Bukhārī and Muslim are referred to as ‘aṣ-Ṣaḥīḥān’ - ’the two authentics’ due to their widespread recognition as the most accurate collections.
Synonyms and Antonyms
- Synonyms: Kutubu ʾs-Sittah, Ṣaḥīḥ Sittah
- Antonyms: Weak or fabricated Hadith collections (Da’if or Maudu’).
Exciting Facts
- Meticulous Compilation: The compilers undertook rigorous, lifelong quests to verify each Hadith, often traversing thousands of kilometers.
- Cross-School Usage: Despite jurisprudential differences, these books are utilized across Sunni schools such as Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi’i, and Hanbali.
Quotations
Imam Al-Nawawi remarked, “The books of al-Bukhārī and Muslim alone are sufficient for guidance, but the collective contributions of the six make the practice of Hadith exhaustive and accessible.”
Suggested Literature
- “Introduction to Hadith” by Dr. Maulana Muhammad Abdul Aleem Siddique
- “Hadith: Historical Development and Impact on Islamic Culture” by Jonathan A.C. Brown
- “Studies in Hadith Methodology and Literature” by Dr. Muhammad M. Azami
Further Studies and Inspiration
Read the above books to gain a nuanced understanding of the Hadith sciences and their historical layers.
Farewell
“May the study of these revered texts open doors of wisdom and guidance, leading to a deeper understanding of faith and humanity.” — Farid Al-Hafidh
Published on: 2023-10-03
