Methods used by Muhadditheen (Compilers of Ahadith) to ensure

the authenticity of Hadith

• The compilers of six authentic books applied a very strict
criterion in selecting the Ahadith for their books. They did not
accept any Hadith that did not meet the set criteria. They checked
the chain of narrators as well as the text.
• Every Hadith is divided into two parts, the first part is the Sand
(chain of narrators) and the second is the Matn (text of Hadith).
This is explained through the following Hadith, Muhammd bin Al
Muthanna reported from Abdul Wahab from Ayub from Abu
Killabah, from Malik that the Prophet (PBUH) said, “Pray as you
have seen me offering prayer”. (Agreed upon)
The first part which mentions the chain of transmitters is the
Sanad and the second part which the body or text is the Matn.
The Muhaddithun assessed both parts of the Hadith scrupulously.
Rules adopted to check authenticity of the chain of narrators
(Isnaad)
1. For the Sanad, the chain of narrators were carefully studied
through the art of Asma-Ur-Rijal. (Asma-ur Rijal refers to the
biographies related to the standing of narrators relating to their
narrating ability. In this branch of knowledge more than five lac
narrator’s biographies were collected and investigated in detail.
2. Every narrator in chain must be an “Aadil Muslim” which means
that he must be pious, noble and honest, God fearing and well-
reputed Muslim.
3. The name, nick name, tittle, parentage, and occupation of the
narrator should be known.
4. The narrator should not have been accused of having lied,
giving false evidence or committing a crime; otherwise there are
more chances that he could bring changes in hadith to his false
nature.
5. Even if the transmitter had ever cheated anyone or even lied to
anyone in the matter of joke, the Hadith is rejected.
6. It must be ensured that narrator had good memory and had
preserved what he had heard.
7. Every narrator who refers his hadith to another narrator should
have lived in the same period and must meet the other narrator.
In this way the chain of narrators must go right back to the Holy
Prophet (PBUH).
8. The narrator must have been physically, mentally and
intellectually fit to understand and remember the full importance
and impact of all what he had heard. Narrator must be of an age
at which he could understand the full importance of Hadith.
9. Each transmitter must have known the transmitter before him,
and also the transmitter after him.
10. The original narrator (last transmitter) in the chain of narrators
must be a companion of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) who had
himself either heard The Holy Prophet (PBUH) spoke the
particular words or seen him performing the action quoted in the
Hadith.
11. The chain of narration from beginning to the end had un-
interrupted continuity.
Rules adopted to check authenticity of the Matn(Tex of Hadith)
1. The compilers ensured that the text of Hadith should not be in
conflict with the content, spirit, philosophy or the commandments
of the Holy Quran in any manner.
2. It should not in conflict with the content of a Hadith which had
already stood the test of reliability / authenticity or the consensus
(Ijma) of the community. For example the Hadith will not be
accepted if it says to offer four daily prayers.
3. It should not be against the historical facts already established
and proved.
4. It should not be against the dictates of human reasoning, logic,
known principles of human society, rationale of common sense or
the laws of nature. For instance, “brushing teeth increases
wisdom” or Hadith about Auj bin Anaq is rejected due to its
unnatural text.
5. The Matn (Text) should have pure Arabic text in Quraish’s
dialect as the Prophet’s (PBUH) language was pure and perfect.
6. It must not, in any way, hurl accusation or derogatory to the
Holy Prophet (PBUH), his family and companions.
7. The Hadith which promised a high reward for a small virtue, or
severe punishment for the minor sins was rejected.
8. The text which referred to actions which that should have been
commonly known and practiced by others but they were not
known and practiced is rejected.
9. A Hadith reported by large number of people in different times
whose agreement on lie is became inconceivable was accepted.
In short Hadith researchers paid critical attention to the science of
biographies and criticism (Asma’ al Rijal) of the hadith narrators in
each generation. And so, narrators of hadith (isnad) were
subjected to severe tests and were graded according to varying
degrees of reliability and genuineness depending upon their
character, religious reputation and orientation, depth of
knowledge, and the soundness and accuracy of their memories.

Q4 (a) Write an account of the benefits that result from the

payment of charity (zakat ), and state to whom it should
and should not be paid.
(b) In your opinion, what is the greatest benefit for the
giver of zakat ? Give reasons to support your answer.
Q4 (a) Outline the practice of almsgiving (zakat ) in Islam.
(b) Who do you think benefits more from the payment of
zakat and why, the giver or the receiver?
2 (a) What rules did the writers of the six authentic books
(Sihah Sitta) apply to ensure the authenticity of Hadiths?
[10] The writers of the six authentic books applied a very
strict criteria in selecting the Hadiths for their books could
be a simple start to this answer. Candidates need to give
accurate information about the methods they employed of
scrutinising isnad and matn. To get to the higher levels
candidates will also need to write in some detail about how
the compilers compared the body (matn) of the Hadith with
reason, the Qur’an and other Hadiths to ensure that it
agreed with the main Islamic principles. The importance of
the chain of narrators (isnad) being unbroken could well
be mentioned as well as the need to ensure that the
narrator was of a sound mind, with a good memory and
exemplary moral character. Examples of narrators going
about collecting Hadiths could also be cited in well
developed responses.
(b) Why in your opinion was it important for them to apply
these rules? [4] This is an evaluative answer and
candidate’s responses should reflect their understanding
of why it was deemed important to catalogue authentic
Hadiths by the writers and perhaps reflect upon what
could have been the possible dangers of not doing so.
5 (a) How are the individuals and the community benefited
by almsgiving (zakat)? [10] Zakat is the fourth pillar of
Islam and its benefits, both personal and communal, are
many. Some of the benefits of zakat the candidates can
refer to may be: The payment of zakat purifies the heart of
the giver of love of wealth, greed and miserliness and
inculcates the love of God; it is a blessing for both the
giver and the receiver; zakat expiates the sins of a person;
it leads to equal distribution of wealth in society and
prevents accumulation of wealth in a few hands; it fosters
goodwill, brotherhood and equality in the community;
zakat stimulates investment and discourages hoarding, if
people do not invest their wealth it will gradually get
consumed by zakat. Hence it is an effective way to keep
wealth in circulation. Benefits other than those given
above could be given by the candidates. Also
development of the benefits, backed by quotes from the
Qur’an and the Prophet’s Hadiths about the benefits of
zakat could be cited by the candidates and this
development could, based on the answer as a whole, take
the candidates up to the higher levels.