📜 Sahih Muslim: Definition, Etymology, and Historical Background
Definition
🚦 Sahih Muslim (Arabic: صحيح مسلم, Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim) is one of the six canonical collections (al-Kutub al-Sittah) of hadith, which are the sayings, actions, and approvals of Prophet Muhammad. It is second only to Sahih al-Bukhari in terms of authenticity and significance among Sunni Muslims.
Compiler: Muslim ibn al-Hajjaj (821–875 CE)
Content: The collection consists of 7,275 hadiths (with repetitions), distributed across 42 books.
Etymology
- Sahih: Derived from the Arabic root verb “ṣ-ḥ-ḥ” (صحّح), meaning “authentic” or “sound”.
- Muslim: Named after its compiler, Muslim ibn al-Hajjaj.
Historical Background
📅 Compilation Period:
- Muslim ibn al-Hajjaj dedicated around 15 years to compile and codify these hadiths.
- The collection was finalized in the 9th century CE.
➿ Methodology:
- Isnad: Muslim placed a strong emphasis on the chain of narrators (isnad), ensuring the reliability and soundness of each hadith.
- Matn: Carefully scrutinized the text (matn) of the hadiths to eliminate any contradictions or falsehoods.
Structure
🚧 Arranged By Topics: Covering faith, purification, prayer, almsgiving, personal hygiene, fasting, pilgrimage, marriage, inheritance, jihad, and more.
⚖️ Categorization:
- Mutawatir: Hadith transmitted by a large number of narrators.
- Ahad: Less frequently narrated hadiths that are further divided into Sahih, Hasan, and Da’if.
- Mawdu‘: Rejected hadith, categorized due to recognized fabrications or falsehoods.
Cultural Differences and Similarities
🌍 Sunni vs Shia: While Sahih Muslim is held in high regard by Sunni Muslims, Shia Muslims refer primarily to collections by al-Kulayni, al-Tusi, and al-Saduq.
📚 Comparative: It is comparable to Sahih al-Bukhari in Sunni tradition and Nahj al-Balagha (a compilation of sayings by Ali) in Shia tradition in terms of reverence and academic scrutiny.
Synonyms, Antonyms, and Related Terms
- Synonyms: Ṣahīḥ al-Muslimee, Canon of Muslim
- Antonyms: Mawdu‘ (Fabricated Hadith)
- Related Terms:
- Sahih al-Bukhari: Another highly authentic collection of hadith.
- Hadith: Reports describing the words, actions, or habits of Prophet Muhammad.
- Isnad: Chain of narrators.
Exciting Facts and Quotations
✨ Exciting Fact: Muslim ibn al-Hajjaj traversed extensive distances across regions like Nishapur, Baghdad, Egypt, and Medina in search of authentic hadith.
📜 Quotation:
“In the garden of Islam, the hadith of Sahih Muslim is one of the most robust and vibrant blooms.” — An observant Scholar
Suggested Literature and Sources for Further Studies
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Books:
- “Introduction to Hadith” by Abd al-Hadi al-Fadli
- “An Introduction to the Science of Hadith” by Ibn al-Salah
- “Studies in Early Hadith Literature” by M. M. Azami
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Research Articles:
- “The Role of Hadith in Islamic Law and Legal Theory” by Prof. Wael Hallaq
- “Authenticity and Reliability in Hadith Criticism” by Harold Motzki
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Classical Texts:
- “Muqaddimah Ibn al-Salah” (Introduction to the Science of Hadith)
- “Al-Mu’jam al-Kabir” (The Great Dictionary of Hadith) by al-Tabarani
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Online Repositories:
- Sunnah.com
- Islamic University of Medina’s digital archives
Final Thought
“Traversing through the pages of Sahih Muslim is like navigating the spiritual annals of early Islamic wisdom.”
Take this scholastic journey through the pages of Sahih Muslim, one of the watchtowers of Islamic theology.
With appreciation and hope for an ever-deeper understanding,
Ahmad Al-Jaziri
October 2023
