format_quote Originally Posted by
Grace Seeker
Thanks, Pouring Rain. I had heard about the Bukhari and Muslim collections. A search engine I use for finding things more quickly in the Qur'an
SearchTruth lists
Sahih Bukhari,
Sahih Muslim,
Sunan Abudawud, and
Malik's Muwatta for the Ahadith. So, I'm assuming that they must all be authoritative. However, since they are different, I had figured that those differences were the result of them being different translations, like is so with the different translations of the Qur'an available on the same website. However, after reading what Woodrow wrote, I am wondering if they are actually different collections, and am trying to make sense of what that phenomena would mean with regard to the definedness of Islam. Hence my questions.
Peace Gene,
I apologize for taking so long getting back to this thread. Been another very busy week or 2 and my posting has been fast hit and miss posts.
I am very new myaelf at learning about the Ahadith. Only began studying them about 2 years ago. Quite interesting.
I will keep things as simple as me and attempt to explain what I learned so far in basic English and in terms that a non-Muslim can understand.
A brief explanation of what the Ahadith are:
Those are quotes of things Muhammad(PBUH) is known to have said.
You will find the terms Authenticate and reliable used. A good starting point is to explain these 2 terms as I understand them.
Authenticate simply means that there is a verifiable chain of written documentation to proof that the person who is is presented as being the Author of a Quote is the author of such. this is something that can be verified by solid written unbroken chains of manuscripts.
The term reliability is a bit more complex. While it can be shown that a person wrote what they saw and what they heard as Muhammad(PBUH). To prove that is actually what he said needs verification and this is where reliability comes in. Some factors to find proof are:
1. Was the witness alive at the time of Muhammad
2, Is there verification the person had close contact with Muhammad(SAWS)
3. Are there other witnesses who report having heard and seen the exact same thing.
The more of those that can be proven along with the number of independent witnesses saying the exact same, the greater becomes the level of reliability that the exact words that were spoken are the exact words recorded.
The compilations of the first 4 Imama Bukhari, Muslim, Dawood and Malik are the ones with the full authenticity and reliability proven beyond doubt. We are assured in those 4 books that what is alleged to have been heard and seen are what was accurately retained.
Buhkari is not only the oldest compilation it is also the most complete.
Also keep in mind the Ahadith were written at the time Muhammad(SAWS) was living and that he himself agreed with what was written.
My favorite downloadable source of the Ahadith is here:
http://www.islamicfinder.org/index.p...5&lang=english
A Complete Ahadith, if could ever be compiled, would be a full collection of everything ever said and done by Muhammad(PBUH) Bukhari is probably the closest to this that can possibly be completed.
My explanation is my attempt to explain what the Ahadith are, in as simple words I can think of. They probably lack a lot that would be in a full professional explanation and others may be able to add more to what I posted.