Q2 a) Write a descriptive account of the terms isnad and matn of a Hadith and the role they play in

establishing the genuineness of a Hadith. [10]

OR

Q2 a) Write an account of the parts that make up a Hadith, and describe the checks made by the
collectors of the Hadiths to ensure the accuracy of their collections. [10]

OR

Q2 a) What rules did the writers of the six authentic books (Sihah Sitta) apply to ensure the
authenticity of Hadiths? [10]

OR

Q2 a) Write about the structure of a Hadith and describe the main methods used by the compilers
of Hadiths to establish their genuineness. [10]

OR

Q2 a) Describe the methods employed by the compilers of the major books of Hadith to ensure
the Hadiths they collected were authentic. [10]

OR

Q2 a) How did the compilers of Hadiths (muhaddithun) judge between acceptable and
unacceptable Hadiths? [10]

OR

Q2 a) Give a detailed account of the checks made on the text and narrators of Hadiths. [10]

OR

Q2 a) What measures were taken in early Islamic times to check the reliability of Hadiths? [10]

OR

Q2 a) Write a detailed account of the parts of a Hadith and say how these parts help in
determining the different categories of Hadiths, namely: sahih; hasan; zaif and mawdu. [10]

MARKSCHEME:

● Brief Intro [reasons/3-4 lines]

● Define Isnad and Matn
● Rules to check Sanad
● Sanad example [chain]
● Rules to check Matn
● Matn example [text]
● How compilers went in to check authenticity
● Conclusion [sahih, hassan, zaif, mawdu]

FOCUS: Identify the terms isnad and matn and go

on to explain how these two components help in
 establishing the genuineness of Hadiths.

In the beginning, the Prophet forbade his companions from recording Hadith: "Omit if you Lave
written anything from me other than the Quran." When later the companions developed
understanding of how to differ between teachings of Quran and Ahadith, the Prophet allowed them
to record the hadith. During 201-300AH, a climax was witnessed in the collection of compilation of
Ahadith. Ahadith were collected from every nook of corner of the world & that accuracy was
checked through a criterion that prevented hypocrites & non- Muslims from fabricating this
fundamental source of Shariah.

The six imams of the six authentic books set the criteria of Sanad & Matn for ensuring the
authenticity of Hadith. Sanad or Isnad is the chain of narrators who narrated the Hadith, starting
from the last narrator who records the Hadith and ending with the Prophet himself. This chain
consists of Taba Tabi'een, Tabi'een, Sahabah & Prophet Muhammad. For instance, Muhammad ibn
Al Muthanna reported from Abdul Wahab, from Ayyub from Abu Qilaabah, from Malik that the
Prophet said "Pray as you see ne you me praying".

The foremost rule in checking Sanad is ensuring that the more concise the chain of narrators, the
more the chances are of its accuracy. The chain must further be concise and unbroken, linking
directly from Taba Tabi'een to Tabi'een to Sahabah to Prophet. The narrator of the Hadith should be
Adil i.e., sincere, truthful, pious, God-pleasing & modest Muslim. The narrator should have Dabt
(brilliance). Moreover, his nickname, title, parentage, and occupation should be known e.g., it is
related to the Prophet that he said, "Abu Bakr is more knowledgeable & stronger, he should be
Caliph after me". The Hadith lacks the original narrator (Sahabah) & therefore it is Zaif & was
rejected. Additionally, it must also be checked also that if a narrator referred his Hadith to another
narrator, the two should have lived during the same period & must have met. Moreover, the
narrator must possess a sharp memory and be of the age of wisdom & profound understanding
when hearing the Hadith in order to ensure that the Hadith is transmitted word to word free from
any changes or alterations by the narrator. It is hence also important for the narrator to understand
the Hadith itself and recall the exact chain of transmission. The narrator must also be beat honest.

The second of the criterion i.e., Matn refers to the actual text of Hadith itself. For instance, on the
above Hadith the saying: "Pray as you see me praying" is the Matn of Hadith.

Similar to Sanad, Matn of the hadith is ensured through its individual criteria. It must be stated in
plain, simple Arabic language & must be free from indecent words that the Prophet would
otherwise never have said. The text must not contradict with teaching of Quran & other
established Hadith. It must further be ensured that the hadith does not cross the parameters of
logic and common sense such as someone related that Prophet said: "In ancient time there was a
man, Auj bin Anaq, so tall he could catch fish from the depth of sea and bake it in front of the
sun." This Hadith was rejected due to its unnatural text. The Hadith should also not oppose
recognised historical facts nor praise any infamous tribe, place or personality. For instant, the
Hadith of Sunan Ibn Majah was rejected by Muhajireen as it made mention of Prophet praising
Qazueen whom the Prophet had in fact no connections to. It must also be checked if the Hadith
threatens of a heavy punishment for ordinary sins & vice versa & such Ahadith must not be
accepted. It must also not hurl accusation at the family of Holy Prophet.

The Sanad and Matn play a pivotal role in checking the authenticity of Hadith. Hence, the Compilers
had a difficult task to travel long miles in order to check the authenticity of Hadith. Once, Imam
Bukhari went to see a man to hear a Hadith 1160 miles away. The man's horse had run away. In
order to catch it, he lifted his shirt acted if he had barley inside and started to tempt the animal in
order to catch him. Imam Bukhari asked if he really had barley, to which the reply was: "No I only did
it to bring the horse back." Imam Bukhari said." How can I take a blessed Hadith of the Prophet
from a man who lies to animals."

Hence, after checking the authenticity of Ahadith though ensuring the perfection of its Sanad &
Matn, the Hadith were categorised into four types: Sahih, Hassan, Zaif & Mawdu.