Definition and Meaning
Bukhari, Muhammad ibn Ismail ibn Ibrahim ibn al-Mughirah al- - A premier Islamic scholar and the major collector and transmitter of Sahih al-Bukhari, which is heralded as one of the six authentic and canonical collections of hadith. Covering various aspects of Islamic life and law, this exhaustive collection is the gold standard of prophetic traditions, meticulously authenticated and compiled through rigorous testing.
Etymology & Background
Etymology: The name “Bukhari” is derived from Bukhara, a historic city in modern-day Uzbekistan where Bukhari was born on July 19, 810 CE. His full name signifies his lineage and ancestry, emphasizing the honor and respect accorded to him within Islamic scholarship.
Background and Significance: Bukhari traveled extensively across the Muslim world, including regions such as Hejaz (now Saudi Arabia), Egypt, Syria, and Iraq, to gather and authenticate hadith. Famed for his analytical precision, Bukhari set stringent criteria for judging the reliability of hadith transmitters through the science of ilm al-rijal (the study of hadith narrators).
Historical Facts & Dates
- Birth: July 19, 810 CE in Bukhara, Khurasan (present-day Uzbekistan).
- Death: September 1, 870 CE in Khartank near Samarkand.
- Compilation: The process of collecting hadiths took him around sixteen years. His landmark work, Sahih al-Bukhari, contains 7,275 hadiths according to Maktaba Shamila.
Methodology and Contributions
Bukhari’s seminal work, Sahih al-Bukhari, categorizes hadith into different topics:
- Faith (Iman)
- Purification (Taharah)
- Prayers (Salah)
- Fasting (Sawm)
- Commerce and Trade (Bay’ wa Shira’)
- Judicial Proceedings (Qada’)
His system of classifying hadith, based on topics, was pioneering. He laid the groundwork for what is known today as ‘ilm al-usul (science of hadith principles), establishing criteria such as the isnad (chain of narrators) for verifying the authenticity of hadith.
Cultural Insights
Bukhari’s influence traverses various cultures within the Islamic world, each revering his contributions:
- In the Arab world, his works are fundamental in madrasahs.
- In South Asia, especially in Pakistan and India, numerous commentaries (sharhs) on Sahih al-Bukhari exist, demonstrating its pivotal role in syllabi of Islamic schools and universities.
- Among Turkic and Persian cultures, his legacy upholds the deep-rooted tradition of meticulous scholarship and spirituality, intertwined with their rich literary heritage.
Synonyms and Antonyms
- Synonyms: Compiler of Hadith, Islamic Scholar
- Antonyms: Fabricator of Hadith, Unreliable Narrator
Related Terms with Definitions
- Hadith (حديث): Records of the sayings, actions, and approvals of the Prophet Muhammad.
- Isnad (إسناد): Chain of narrators documenting the source of hadith.
- Ilm al-Rijal (علم الرجال): Science of analyzing and verifying hadith transmitters.
- Sahih (صحيح): Authentic or sound (used to describe the highest quality hadith).
Exciting Facts
- Bukhari is known to have heard from over 1,000 scholars during his extensive travels.
- He is rumored to have included a special chapter about himself in Sahih Bukhari with two authenticated hadiths he narrated.
- Only 2,000 unique hadiths are mentioned in his compilation multiple times due to their various narrations.
Notable Quotations
“A single day should never pass without an endeavor to the study of hadith; it is our link to the Prophet and the bastion of our faith.” - Muhammad ibn Ismail al-Bukhari.
Suggested Literature
For an in-depth study:
- “Hadith Literature: Its Origin, Development & Special Features” by A. A. Azmi
- “Introduction to Sahih al-Bukhari” by Mustapha al-A’zami
- “The Early Islamic Conquests” by Fred M. Donner
Quizzes
📖 Thank you for immersing yourself in the life of Muhammad ibn Ismail al-Bukhari. Understanding the foundation of hadith literature not only enriches our grasp of Islamic scholarship but also elevates our engagement with history’s most meticulously preserved traditions. Happy studying! 🌟
