COMPILATION OF HADITH

1 J2020/21/Q2/B
In your opinion what were the main reasons for Hadith collections? Give
reasons for your answer. [4]

After the passing away of the Prophet (pbuh) the Muslim community passed
through a series of unrest and wars. Hadiths were forged to manipulate the
authority of the Sunna, so in order to distinguish original Hadith from the fake
Hadith compilations were made. To resolve all matters, secular and spiritual in the
light of the teachings of the Prophet (pbuh) it was essential to have authentic
Hadiths. The new generations of Muslims needed guidance on the true Islamic
way of life based on the life of the Prophet (pbuh). The Companions of the Prophet
(pbuh) were passing away and the Hadiths they remembered had to be preserved.
Overzealous teachers and heretics made up Hadiths to advance religious
teachings in the name of Islam and to undermine Islam respectively. Authentic
Hadiths were essential to keep the teachings of Islam uncorrupted. Also, the
Qur’an instructs Muslims to follow the practice of the Prophet (pbuh) and for
that reason Hadiths needed to be compiled so Muslims of all times can use the
knowledge they provided.

2 N2019/22/Q2/B
In your opinion, from the two Hadith collections (Musnad and Musannaf)
above, which is the more useful to Muslims? Give reasons for your answer.
[4]

In my opinion Musannaf collections of ahadith are more beneficial for Muslims to

have. As Musannaf collections are based on themes so they help in studying for a
particular topic. A person can directly refer to the topic they require knowledge
about without having to go through various narrators to find the ahadith they
need to study. Muslims gain guidance on specific topics like Salah, Saum, Zakat
and Hajj etc and learn specifics about them like what to do and what not to do
while practicing them. A Muslim planning to go for Hajj can directly refer to the
topic of Hajj to learn all that they need to know about it. As the laws are also
based on themes, they also help forming the laws on newly raised matters. When
scholars come together to establish a new ruling based on a newly raised issue,
they refer to the related topic in Musannaf collections to use Ahadith to come
about a decision; using it individually, or by using Hadith along with Ijma or Qiyas.
Referring to Musannaf collections saves time which is a valuable asset for all
humans.

3 N2013/21/Q2/B
What was the significance of the Prophet not allowing the writing down
of Hadiths in the early days of his prophethood? [4]

Firstly, his primary focus was to establish Islam. In the early days of his
prophethood, the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) was more concerned about the
flourishing of Islam. He (PBUH) first intended to take the Islamic mission into
the hearts of many and then to work on preservation of Islamic teachings in
memories and writings both. Secondly, it was to give more priority to the writing
down of Quranic revelations. He (PBUH) wanted his companions to focus more on
the writing down of Quranic revelations as Quran is the foundation of all Sharia
laws and guidance. Thirdly, he wanted to ensure the clear discrimination of his
sayings and the words of Allah. He (PBUH) didn’t want his companions to be
confused between the words of Allah and his sayings. Therefore, he initially asked
them write down only Quranic revelations and simultaneously he (PBUH) guided
and trained them to differ between his sayings and the sayings of Allah. Lastly,
once he was confident that companions were fully able to discriminate between
Quran and Hadith, he (PBUH) encouraged them to write down Ahadith.

4 J2013/22/Q2/B
Briefly discuss why the need arose during the early Islamic period to
compile the Hadiths of the Prophet. [4]

The need of compiling the Ahadith of Hazrat Mohammad (PBUH) arose few years
after the death of Mohammad (PBUH). The companions of Prophet (PBUH) had
spread far and wide. There were different centres established around the
residents of senior companions who lived in different parts of Islamic Empire.
The students used to learn Ahadith in these centers. However, the students were
not satisfied with the knowledge they received from one, center as that
companion may not have known all the Ahadith of Mohammad (PBUH). In result of
this, the students had to travel in different parts of Islamic Empire in order to
learn most of the teachings of Mohammad (PBUH). As Muslims were eager to
guide themselves so as they were keen to guide the future generations by the
teachings of Mohammad (PBUH) as closely as they could. Therefore, for the ease
of future generations they felt the need of compiling Ahadith. They brought most
of the Prophet (PBUH)’s teachings at one place making it convenient to learn most
of the Ahadith from one Book rather than learning them by travelling wide all
over the Islamic Empire.

5 J2009/22/Q2/B
Explain the main differences between musnad and musannaf Hadiths. [4]

In Musnad collection, Ahadith are collected and divided into chapters as per the
name of first narrator of Hadith, no matter what their content and theme are.
The chapters in Musnad collections are entitled with the name of companions like
of Hazrat Abu Bakr (RZ), Umar (RZ), Uthman (RZ), Ali (RZ), Aisha (RZ) etc. Thus,
in Musnad collection the Sanad of Hadith is focused. These collections are useful
for spotting Ahadith attributed to a particular companion.

In Musannaf collection, Ahadith are divided into chapters according to their

content or theme. In this category, Ahadith are grouped into chapters and sub-
chapters according to their theme for example chapter of Faith, Prayer, Fasting,
and Pilgrimage etc. Thus, in Musannaf collection the Matn of hadith is focused.
They are useful for understanding the Prophet (PBUH)’s teachings on a particular
point. They are also useful in establishing the Islamic laws.