‫ﺑــﻠـﻮغ اﻟــﻤــﺮام‬

‫ﻡـﻦ أدﻟـﺔ اﻷﺣﻜﺎم‬

‫ﻫـ ﺓ‬852 ‫ﺍﳊﺎﻓـﻆ ﺍﺑـﻦ ﺣﺠـﺮ ﺍﻟـﻌـﺴـﻘـﻼﻧـﻲ‬

‘The Book of Fasting’

from

"Buloogh al-Maraam"
al-Haafidh Ibn Hajar al-‘Asqalaanee
(Allah’s Mercy Be Upon him)

Followed by Notes on

Mustalah al-Hadeeth
Compiled by Abu Muhammad Abdur-Ra’uf Shakir

1
 The Author’s Introduction to the Book

Praise is to Allah for his apparent and concealed bounties at all times, and peace and blessings be
upon His Prophet and Messenger Muhammad, his family and companions who strove steadfastly in
the path of serving Allah’s religion, and their followers who inherited the knowledge — for the
‘Ulama are the heirs of the Prophets — and may they be honored, whether they be Waarith (those
who inherit) or Mawrooth (those who are inherited from).
To proceed; this is a concise book comprising the Hadith evidence sources of the Sharia Rulings,
which I have compiled meticulously, so that the one who memorizes it excels among his peers; it
may assist the beginner student, and the learned one seeking more knowledge may find it
indispensable.
I have indicated at the end of every Hadith the Imâm who collected it, in order to fulfill the trust
to the (Muslim) Ummah. Therefore, As-Sab‘a (the Seven) stands for Ahmad, Al-Bukhâri, Muslim,
Abu Dâ’ud, An-Nasâ’i, At-Tirmidhi and Ibn Mâjah. As-Sitta (the Six)[1] stands for the rest excluding
Ahmad. Al-Khamsa (the Five)[2] stands for the rest except Al-Bukhâri and Muslim, or I may say
Al-Arba‘a (the Four)[3] and Ahmad. I mean by Al-Arba‘a (the Four) all except the first three (i.e.
Ahmad, Al-Bukhâri and Muslim), and by Ath-Thalâtha (the Three)[4] I mean all except the first
three and the last one. I mean by Al-Muttafaq ‘alaihi (the Agreed upon)[5] Al-Bukhâri and Muslim,
and I might not mention with them anyone else; and whatever is besides these (seven collectors) is
clear [i.e. clearly mentioned by name].
I have named it (this book) Bulûgh Al-Marâm min Adillat Al-Ahkâm (Attainment of the Objective
according to Evidence of the Ordinances); and I pray to Allah not to render, what we have learned, a
calamity against us; but may He guide us to act according to what pleases Him - the Glorified and
Exalted One.

‫ﻫـ‬852 ‫ ﺍﳊﺎﻓـﻆ ﺍﺑـﻦ ﺣﺠـﺮ ﺍﻟـﻌـﺴـﻘـﻼﻧـﻲ‬،‫ﺑـﻠـﻮﻍ ﺍﻟـﻤـﺮﺍﻡ‬

[1]
By Six he means: Al-Bukhâri, Muslim, Abu Dâ’ud, An-Nasâ’i, At-Tirmidhi and Ibn Mâjah.
[2]
By Five he means: Ahmad, Abu Dâ’ud, An-Nasâ’i, At-Tirmidhi and Ibn Mâjah.
[3]
By Four he means: Abu Dâ’ud, An-Nasâ’i, At-Tirmidhi, and Ibn Mâjah.
[4]
By Three he means: Abu Dâ’ud, An-Nasâ’i and At-Tirmidhi.
[5]
By ‘the Agreed upon’ he means: Ahadith accepted and agreed to by both Imam Bukhâri and Imam Muslim.
The Most reliable Hadith is that one which has been narrated by Bukhâri and Muslim. Secondly is the Hadith which
has been narrated only by Bukhâri. Third in reliability is that which has been narrated by Muslim alone. Ahadith
narrated by An-Nasâ’i, At-Tirmidhi, Abu Dâ’ud, Ibn Mâjah and Muwatta’ of Imâm Mâlik are graded thereafter in the
line of reliability, and then comes the place of Ahadith mentioned in other books. This established order of reliability
should be followed where there is a contention.

2
 THE AUTHOR’S BIOGRAPHY

The full name of the famous Imam Al-Hâfiz Ibn Hajar Al-‘Asqalâni is Abul-Fadl, Shihâbuddin Ahmad bin ‘Ali bin
Muhammad bin Muhammad bin Ahmad Al-Kinâni Ash-Shâfi‘i. Ibn Hajar Al-‘Asqalâni was born on the 10th of
Sha‘bân, 773 H. in Egypt, where he also grew up. He memorized the Qur’ân at the age of nine. He also memorized
Al-Hâwi, the book Mukhtasar of Ibn Al-Hajib, and other books. He traveled to Makka and listened to the teaching of its
‘Ulama. He admired the knowledge of Hadith and began to acquire it from the great Sheikhs in Hijâz, Ash-Shâm, Egypt
and stayed with Az-Zain Al-‘Irâqi for ten years. He also studied under Al-Balqeeni, Ibn Al-Mulaqqin and others. Many
eminent Sheikhs of his time approved his knowledge and allowed him to give religious verdicts and teach.

He had learned the two sources (Qur’ân and Hadith) from Al-‘Izz bin Jamâ‘a, al-Lughah (the language) and al-
‘Arabiyyah (Arabic) from Al-Majd Al-Fairooz Aabâdi and Al-‘Amâri, literature and poetry from Al-Badr Al-Mushtaki
and writing from a group (of teachers). He also recited some parts of the Qur’ân in all the seven styles of recitation
before At-Tanookhee.

He occupied himself with the promotion of the knowledge of Hadith, so he dwelt in its study, teaching, writing and
giving Fatawa (religious verdicts). He also taught Tafsîr (interpretation of the Qur’ân), Hadith, Fiqh (jurisprudence)
and preached at many places like Al-Azhar, Jâmi‘ ‘Amr and others. He also dictated to his students from his memory.
Many highly educated people and distinguished scholars traveled to him to acquire from his vast knowledge.

Ibn Hajar Al-‘Asqalâni authored more than 150 books — most of them being in the studies of Hadith — which
flourished during his lifetime, and the kings and princes exchanged them as gifts. His book most worthy of mentioning is
Fath Al-Bâri — the commentary of Sahih Al-Bukhâri, which he started in the beginning of 817 H., after finishing its
introductory part in 813H., and completed the whole commentary in Rajab 842 H. After the completion of the
commentary, he had a gathering attended by the Muslim dignitaries and spent 500 Dinar on it. Then some kings
requested it and paid 300 Dinar.

Ibn Hajar became the Qâdi of Egypt, and then Ash-Shâm was also added to his jurisdiction which he held for more
than twenty-one years. He was against holding the office of the Qâdi at first, until the Sultan assigned to him a special
case. Then, he accepted to substitute for Al-Balqeeni, when he begged him very much to preside for him as Qâdi. Then,
he substituted for others until he was assigned to hold the office of Chief Qâdi on 12 Muharram, 827 H. He then left, but
had to return to the office of the Chief Qâdi seven times until he left it finally in 852 H. which is the year in which he
died.

As concerns his personality, Al-‘Asqalâni was humble, tolerant, patient and enduring. He was also described as being
steadfast, prudent, ascetic, selfless, generous, charitable and a person praying and fasting voluntarily. On the other hand,
he was said to be used to making light jokes and telling of humorous rare stories. He also had good manners in dealing
with all the Imams, of the earlier generations and later generations, and with all those who sat with him, whether old or
young.

Ibn Hajar died after the ‘Ishâ prayer on Saturday, 8th Dhul-Hijja, 852 H. May Allah reward him generously.

3
 THE BOOK OF FASTING

527. Narrated Abû Huraira ‫رﺿ ﻰ اﷲ ﻋﻨﻪ‬: Allâh’s Messenger ‫ ﺻﻠﻰ اﷲ ﻋﻠﻴﻪ وﺳﻠﻢ‬said, “Do not fast
for a day or two days before Ramadân except a person who is in the habit of observing a
particular fast; he may fast on that day.” [Agreed upon].
528. Narrated ‘Ammâr bin Yâsir ‫رﺿ ﻰ اﷲ ﻋ ﻨﻬﻤﺎ‬: He who fasts on a day about which there is
doubt (concerning the start of Ramadân) has disobeyed Abul-Qâsim ‫ﺻ ﻠﻰ اﷲ ﻋﻠ ﻴﻪ وﺳ ﻠﻢ‬
[Al-Bukhâri reported it Mu‘allaq (broken chain from his side), while Al-Khamsa reported it
Mausul (unbroken chain) and Ibn Hibbân graded it Sahih].
529. Narrated Ibn ‘Umar ‫رﺿ ﻰ اﷲ ﻋ ﻨﻬﻤﺎ‬: I heard Allâh’s Messenger ‫ ﺻ ﻠﻰ اﷲ ﻋﻠ ﻴﻪ وﺳ ﻠﻢ‬saying,
“Fast when you see the new moon, and break your fast when you see it; but if the sky is
cloudy, calculate (the month as 30 days).” [Agreed upon]. Muslim has: “If it is cloudy,
calculate (the month as) thirty days.” Al-Bukhâri has: “Complete the number (of days) as
thirty.” Al-Bukhari reported the Hadith of Abû Huraira ‫ رﺿ ﻰ اﷲ ﻋ ﻨﻪ‬: “Complete the number
of (the month of) Sha‘bân as thirty days.”
530. Narrated Ibn ‘Umar ‫رﺿ ﻰ اﷲ ﻋ ﻨﻬﻤﺎ‬: The people tried to sight the new moon, so I
informed the Prophet ‫ ﺻ ﻠﻰ اﷲ ﻋﻠ ﻴﻪ وﺳ ﻠﻢ‬that I had seen it, so he fasted and commanded the
people to fast. [Abû Dâ’ud reported it and Al-Hâkim and Ibn Hibbân graded it Sahih].
531. Narrated Ibn ‘Abbâs ‫رﺿ ﻰ اﷲ ﻋ ﻨﻬﻤﺎ‬: A bedouin came to the Prophet ‫ ﺻ ﻠﻰ اﷲ ﻋﻠ ﻴﻪ وﺳ ﻠﻢ‬and
said, “I have seen the new moon (of Ramadân).” He asked, “Do you testify that nothing is
worthy of worship except Allâh?” He replied, “Yes.” He then asked, “Do you testify that
Muhammad is Allâh’s Messenger?” He replied, “Yes.” He then said, “Bilâl, announce to the
people that they should fast tomorrow.” [Reported by Al-Khamsa. Ibn Khuzaima and Ibn
Hibbân graded it Sahih; An-Nasâ’i held that the stronger view is that it is Mursal (missing link
after the Taabi’i)].
532.Narrated Hafsa ‫رﺿ ﻰ اﷲ ﻋ ﻨﻬﺎ‬, Mother of the Believers: The Prophet ‫ ﺻ ﻠﻰ اﷲ ﻋﻠ ﻴﻪ وﺳﻠﻢ‬said,
“The fast of one who does not make intention to fast before dawn is not accepted” [Reported
by Al-Khamsa. At-Tirmidhi and An-Nasa’i are inclined toward the opinion that it is Mauquf
(a saying of Hafsa). Ibn Khuzaima and Ibn Hibban authenticated it as Marfu‘ (attributed to
the Prophet)].
Ad-Dâraqutni has: “There is no fast for the one who does not make the intention to fast
during the night.”
533. Narrated ‘Aisha ‫رﺿ ﻰ اﷲ ﻋﻨﻬﺎ‬: The Prophet ‫ ﺻﻠﻰ اﷲ ﻋﻠﻴﻪ وﺳﻠﻢ‬came to visit me one day and
asked, “Do you have anything (to eat)?” I said, “No.” He said, “Then I am fasting.” Then he
came to me another day and I said, “I had been given a present of some Hais (a mixture of
dates and ghee). He said, “Show it to me, for I had began the day fasting.” Then he ate.
[Reported by Muslim].

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 Buloogh al-Maraam – Kitaab as-Siyaam

534. Narrated Sahl bin Sa‘d ‫رﺿ ﻰ اﷲ ﻋ ﻨﻪ‬: Allah’s Messenger ‫ ﺻ ﻠﻰ اﷲ ﻋﻠ ﻴﻪ وﺳ ﻠﻢ‬said, “The
people will continue to be on the right path as long as they hasten in the breaking of the fast.”
[Agreed upon].
At-Tirmidhi reports from the Hadith of Abû Huraira (‫ )رﺿ ﻰ اﷲ ﻋ ﻨﻪ‬from the Prophet ‫ﺻ ﻠﻰ اﷲ‬
‫ﻋﻠ ﻴﻪ وﺳ ﻠﻢ‬, who said that Allâh ‫ ﻋ ﺰوﺟﻞ‬said, “The most beloved to Me of my slaves is the one
who hastens most in breaking the fast.”
535. Narrated Anas bin Mâlik ‫رﺿ ﻰ اﷲ ﻋ ﻨﻪ‬: Allâh’s Messenger ‫ ﺻ ﻠﻰ اﷲ ﻋﻠ ﻴﻪ وﺳ ﻠﻢ‬said, “Take a
meal (just) before dawn, for there is a blessing in Sahur (taking a meal) at that time.”
[Agreed upon].

536. Narrated Salmân bin ‘Aamir Ad-Dabbî ‫رﺿ ﻰ اﷲ ﻋ ﻨﻪ‬: The Prophet ‫ ﺻ ﻠﻰ اﷲ ﻋﻠ ﻴﻪ وﺳ ﻠﻢ‬said,
“When one of you breaks his fast, he should do so with some dates; but if he can not get any,
he should break his fast with water, for it is purifying.” [Reported by Al-Khamsa. Ibn
Khuzaima, Ibn Hibbân and Al-Hâkim graded it Sahih].
537. Narrated Abû Huraira ‫رﺿ ﻰ اﷲ ﻋ ﻨﻪ‬: Allâh’s Messenger ‫ ﺻ ﻠﻰ اﷲ ﻋﻠ ﻴﻪ وﺳ ﻠﻢ‬forbade
continuous fasting. A man from among the Muslims said, “You fast continuously, O
Messenger of Allâh!” He replied, “Which one of you is like me? During the night my Rabb
(Allah) gives me food and drink.” When they refused to stop the continuous fasting, he
fasted with them for a day and then another. Then, they saw the moon. He then said, “If the
new moon had not appeared, I would have made you fast more (in this way).” It is as though
it would serve as a punishment for them, when they refused to stop. [Agreed upon].
538. Narrated (Abû Huraira) ‫رﺿ ﻰ اﷲ ﻋﻨﻪ‬: Allâh’s Messenger ‫ ﺻﻠﻰ اﷲ ﻋﻠﻴﻪ وﺳﻠﻢ‬said, “Whoever
does not abandon falsehood and action in accordance with it and foolishness, Allâh has no
need that he should abandon his food and drink.” [Reported by Al-Bukhâri, and Abû Dâ’ud
and the wording is his].
539. Narrated ‘Aisha ‫رﺿﻰ اﷲ ﻋﻨﻬﺎ‬: Allâh’s Messenger ‫ ﺻﻠﻰ اﷲ ﻋﻠﻴﻪ وﺳﻠﻢ‬used to kiss and fondle
while he was fasting, but he was the one among you who had most control over his sexual
desire. [Agreed upon]. The wording is Muslim’s, and in another narration, he has the
addition: “during Ramadân.”
540. Narrated Ibn ‘Abbâs ‫رﺿ ﻰ اﷲ ﻋ ﻨﻬﻤﺎ‬: The Prophet ‫ ﺻ ﻠﻰ اﷲ ﻋﻠ ﻴﻪ وﺳ ﻠﻢ‬had himself cupped
when he was wearing the Ihrâm (during Hajj or ‘Umrah) and had himself cupped when he
was fasting. [Reported by al-Bukhari].
541. Narrated Shaddâd bin Aus ‫رﺿﻰ اﷲ ﻋ ﻨﻪ‬: The Prophet ‫ ﺻﻠﻰ اﷲ ﻋﻠﻴﻪ وﺳﻠﻢ‬came across a man in
Al-Baqi‘ who was being cupped in Ramadân. He said, “The one who cups and the one who
is cupped have broken their fast.” [Reported by Al-Khamsa except At-Tirmidhi. Ahmad, Ibn
Khuzaima and Ibn Hibbân graded it Sahih].

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 Buloogh al-Maraam – Kitaab as-Siyaam

542. Narrated Anas ‫رﺿ ﻰ اﷲ ﻋ ﻨﻪ‬: The first time when cupping - for one who is fasting - was
disapproved was when: Ja‘far bin Abû-Tâlib had himself cupped while he was fasting; the
Prophet ‫ ﺻ ﻠﻰ اﷲ ﻋﻠ ﻴﻪ وﺳ ﻠﻢ‬came across him and said, “Both of these have broken their fast.”
Afterwards, the Prophet ‫ ﺻ ﻠﻰ اﷲ ﻋﻠ ﻴﻪ وﺳ ﻠﻢ‬allowed cupping for one who is fasting. Anas used
to have himself cupped when he was fasting. [Ad-Dâraqutni reported it and declared it to be
strong].
543. Narrated ‘Aisha ‫رﺿ ﻰ اﷲ ﻋ ﻨﻬﺎ‬: The Prophet ‫ ﺻ ﻠﻰ اﷲ ﻋﻠ ﻴﻪ وﺳ ﻠﻢ‬applied kohl in Ramadân
while he was fasting. [Reported by Ibn Mâjah through a weak chain of narrators].
At-Tirmidhi said, “There is nothing authentic on this subject.”
544. Narrated Abû Huraira ‫رﺿ ﻰ اﷲ ﻋ ﻨﻪ‬: Allâh’s Messenger ‫ ﺻ ﻠﻰ اﷲ ﻋﻠ ﻴﻪ وﺳ ﻠﻢ‬said, “Whoever
forgets while fasting and eats or drinks should complete his fast, for it is Allâh who has fed
him and given him drink.” [Agreed upon].
Al-Hâkim has, “Whoever breaks his fast forgetfully does not have to make-up for that fast
(al-Qadaa), nor expiate (al-Kaffaara) for it.” And the narration is authentic.
545. Narrated Abû Huraira ‫رﺿ ﻰ اﷲ ﻋ ﻨﻪ‬: Allâh’s Messenger ‫ ﺻ ﻠﻰ اﷲ ﻋﻠ ﻴﻪ وﺳ ﻠﻢ‬said, “Whoever
has a sudden attack of vomiting (while fasting), does not have to make-up the fast (al-
Qadaa), but whoever vomits intentionally must make up the day.” [Reported by Al-Khamsa;
Ahmad found it defective and Ad-Dâraqutni graded it strong].
546. Narrated Jâbir bin ‘Abdullâh ‫رﺿ ﻰ اﷲ ﻋ ﻨﻬﻤﺎ‬: Allâh’s Messenger ‫ ﺻﻠﻰ اﷲ ﻋﻠﻴﻪ وﺳﻠﻢ‬departed
to Makka in Ramadân in the year of the conquest. He and the people fasted till he came to
Kurâ‘ Al-Ghamim. He then called for a cup of water which he raised till the people looked at
it, and then he drank. He was told afterwards that some of the people had continued to fast,
and he said, “Those are the disobedient ones; those are the disobedient ones.”
In another narration : “It was said to him: The people have found the fast difficult, and are
waiting for what you will do.” He then called for a cup of water after the ‘Asr prayer and
drank. [Reported by Muslim].
547. Narrated Hamza bin ‘Amr Al-Aslamî ‫رﺿ ﻰ اﷲ ﻋ ﻨﻪ‬: He said, “O Allâh’s Messenger! I
find myself strong enough to fast while travelling, so is there any sin upon me (if I fast)?”
Allâh’s Messenger ‫ ﺻ ﻠﻰ اﷲ ﻋﻠ ﻴﻪ وﺳ ﻠﻢ‬said, “It is a permission given by Allâh and whoever acts
upon it has done well. And whoever desires to fast would not be guilty of sin.” [Reported by
Muslim. Its basic meaning is found in Al-Bukhâri and Muslim from ‘Aisha’s report that
Hamza bin ‘Amr had asked].
548. Narrated Ibn ‘Abbâs ‫ رﺿ ﻰ اﷲ ﻋ ﻨﻬﻤﺎ‬: Permission was given for an old man to break his
fast (in Ramadân) and feed a poor for every day, and no make-up (al-Qadaa) is required of
him. [Reported by Ad-Dâraqutni and Al-Hâkim both of whom authenticated it].

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 Buloogh al-Maraam – Kitaab as-Siyaam

549. Narrated Abû Huraira ‫رﺿ ﻰ اﷲ ﻋﻨﻪ‬: A man came to the Prophet ‫ ﺻﻠﻰ اﷲ ﻋﻠﻴﻪ وﺳﻠﻢ‬and said,
“O Messenger of Allâh, I am ruined.” He asked him, “What has ruined you?” He replied, “I
had intercourse with my wife during Ramadân.” He then asked him, “Can you get a slave to
free?” He said, “No.” He asked, “Can you fast two consecutive months?” He said, “No.” He
asked, “Can you provide food for sixty poor people?” He said, “No.” He then sat down.
Meanwhile an ‘Araq [a basket] containing [30 Saa’ of] dates was brought to the Prophet ‫ﺻﻠﻰ‬
‫اﷲ ﻋﻠ ﻴﻪ وﺳ ﻠﻢ‬. He said, “Give this as Sadaqa.” The man said, “Am I to give to one who is
poorer than we are? There is no family – between the two mountains of al-Madina – more in
need of it than mine.” The Prophet ‫ ﺻ ﻠﻰ اﷲ ﻋﻠ ﻴﻪ وﺳ ﻠﻢ‬thereupon laughed till his premolar teeth
appeared. He then said, “Go and feed your family with it.” [Reported by As-Sab‘a and the
wording is that of Muslim].
550. Narrated ‘Aisha and Umm Salama ‫رﺿ ﻰ اﷲ ﻋ ﻨﻬﻤﺎ‬: The Prophet ‫ ﺻ ﻠﻰ اﷲ ﻋﻠ ﻴﻪ وﺳ ﻠﻢ‬used to
get up at dawn while in a state of Janâba (sexual impurity). Then, he would take a bath and
fast. [Agreed upon]. And Muslim added in the Hadith of Umm-Salama: “He would not make
up (the fast).”
551. Narrated ‘Aisha ‫رﺿ ﻰ اﷲ ﻋ ﻨﻬﺎ‬: The Prophet ‫ ﺻ ﻠﻰ اﷲ ﻋﻠ ﻴﻪ وﺳ ﻠﻢ‬said, “Whoever dies while
some fast is due from him (which is unfulfilled), his heir must fast on his behalf.” [Agreed
upon].

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 Buloogh al-Maraam – Kitaab as-Siyaam

Chapter 1
THE VOLUNTARY FASTING AND THE DAYS FASTING HAS BEEN
PROHIBITED
552. Narrated Abû Qatâda Al-Ansâri ‫رﺿ ﻰ اﷲ ﻋ ﻨﻪ‬: Allâh’s Messenger ‫ ﺻ ﻠﻰ اﷲ ﻋﻠ ﻴﻪ وﺳ ﻠﻢ‬was
asked about the fast on the day of ‘Arafa, whereupon he said: “It expiates the sins of the
preceding year and the coming year.” And he was asked about fasting on the day of
‘Ashurâ’, whereupon he said: “It expiates the sins of the preceding year.” He was then asked
about fasting on Monday, whereupon he said: “That is the day on which I was born, on it I was
commissioned with Prophethood, and on it (the Qur’ân) was revealed to me.” [Reported by
Muslim].
553. Narrated Abû Ayub Al-Ansâri ‫رﺿﻰ اﷲ ﻋﻨﻪ‬: Allâh’s Messenger ‫ ﺻﻠﻰ اﷲ ﻋﻠﻴﻪ وﺳﻠﻢ‬said, “He
who fasts Ramadân, then follows it with six (days of fasting) from Shawwal, it will be (in
terms of rewards) as if he has fasted a whole year.” [Reported by Muslim].
554. Narrated Abû Sa‘îd Al-Khudri ‫رﺿ ﻰ اﷲ ﻋ ﻨﻪ‬: Allâh’s Messenger ‫ ﺻ ﻠﻰ اﷲ ﻋﻠ ﻴﻪ وﺳ ﻠﻢ‬said,
“No slave (of Allâh) will fast for a day while engaged in Jihâd, without Allâh removing the
Hell-fire a distance of seventy years from his face for that day.” [Agreed upon, and the
wording is Muslim’s].
555. Narrated ‘Aisha ‫رﺿ ﻰ اﷲ ﻋ ﻨﻬﺎ‬: Allâh’s Messenger ‫ ﺻ ﻠﻰ اﷲ ﻋﻠﻴﻪ وﺳﻠﻢ‬used to fast to such an
extent that we thought he would never break his fast, and he would go without fasting to
such an extent that we thought he would never fast. I never saw Allâh’s Messenger ‫ﺻ ﻠﻰ اﷲ‬
‫ ﻋﻠ ﻴﻪ وﺳ ﻠﻢ‬fast a complete month except in Ramadân, and I never saw him fast more in any
month than in Sha‘bân. [Agreed upon, and the wording is that of Muslim].
556. Narrated Abû Dhar ‫رﺿ ﻰ اﷲ ﻋ ﻨﻪ‬: Allâh’s Messenger ‫ ﺻ ﻠﻰ اﷲ ﻋﻠ ﻴﻪ وﺳ ﻠﻢ‬commanded us to
fast three days in the month; on the thirteenth, the fourteenth and the fifteenth.” [Reported by
At-Tirmidhi and An-Nasâ’i; Ibn Hibbân graded it Sahih].

557. Narrated Abû Huraira ‫رﺿ ﻰ اﷲ ﻋ ﻨﻪ‬: Allah’s Messenger ‫ ﺻ ﻠﻰ اﷲ ﻋﻠ ﻴﻪ وﺳ ﻠﻢ‬said: “It is not
lawful for a woman to fast (optional fasting), when her husband is present, except with his
permission. [Agreed upon; The wording is that of Al-Bukhâri]. Abû Dâ’ud added: “other
than Ramadân.”
558. Narrated Abû Sa‘îd Al-Khudri ‫رﺿ ﻰ اﷲ ﻋ ﻨﻪ‬: Allâh’s Messenger ‫ ﺻ ﻠﻰ اﷲ ﻋﻠ ﻴﻪ وﺳﻠﻢ‬forbade
fasting on two days, the day of Al-Fitr (breaking the fast of Ramadân) and the day of
Al-Adha (offering sacrifices). [Agreed upon].

559. Narrated Nubaisha Al-Hudhali ‫رﺿﻰ اﷲ ﻋﻨﻪ‬: Allâh’s Messenger ‫ ﺻﻠﻰ اﷲ ﻋﻠﻴﻪ وﺳﻠﻢ‬said, “The
days of At-Tashrîq are days of eating, drinking and the remembrance of Allâh, the Great and
Glorious.” [Reported by Muslim].

8
 Buloogh al-Maraam – Kitaab as-Siyaam

560. Narrated ‘Aisha and Ibn ‘Umar ‫رﺿﻰ اﷲ ﻋﻨﻬﻢ‬: Nobody was allowed to fast on the days of
At-Tashriq except those who could not afford the Al-Hady (sacrifices). [Reported by
Al-Bukhâri].
561. Narrated Abû Huraira ‫رﺿ ﻰ اﷲ ﻋﻨﻪ‬: The Prophet ‫ ﺻﻠﻰ اﷲ ﻋﻠﻴﻪ وﺳﻠﻢ‬said, “Do not single out
the night (preceding) Friday –from among the nights - for prayer; and do not single out
Friday -from among the days - for fasting, unless it occurs during a day of fasting, which one
of you normally observes.” [Reported by Muslim].

562. Narrated (Abû Huraira) ‫رﺿ ﻰ اﷲ ﻋ ﻨﻪ‬: Allâh’s Messenger ‫ ﺻ ﻠﻰ اﷲ ﻋﻠ ﻴﻪ وﺳ ﻠﻢ‬said, “None of
you should fast on Friday, unless he fasts (it together with) a day before it or a day after it.”
[Agreed upon].
563. Narrated (Abû Huraira) ‫رﺿﻰ اﷲ ﻋﻨﻪ‬: Allah’s Messenger ‫ ﺻﻠﻰ اﷲ ﻋﻠﻴﻪ وﺳﻠﻢ‬said: “When the
(month of) Sha‘bân is halfway through, do not fast.” [Reported by Al-Khamsa. Ahmad
considered it Munkar (rejected)].
564. Narrated As-Sammâ’ bint Busr ‫رﺿ ﻰ اﷲ ﻋ ﻨﻬﺎ‬: Allâh’s Messenger ‫ ﺻ ﻠﻰ اﷲ ﻋﻠ ﻴﻪ وﺳ ﻠﻢ‬said,
“Do not fast on a Saturday except what has been made obligatory on you; and if one of you
can get nothing but a grape-skin or a twig from a tree, he should chew it.” [Reported by
Al-Khamsa, and its narrators are reliable, but it is Mudtarib (narrated with irreconcilable
contradictions in the chain). Mâlik rejected it and Abû Dâ’ud said, ‘It is Mansûkh
(abrogated).’]
565. Narrated Umm Salama ‫رﺿ ﻰ اﷲ ﻋ ﻨﻬﺎ‬: Allâh’s Messenger ‫ ﺻ ﻠﻰ اﷲ ﻋﻠ ﻴﻪ وﺳ ﻠﻢ‬used to fast
mostly on Saturday and Sunday, and he used to say, “They are festival days for the
polytheists, and I want to act contrary to them.” [Reported by An-Nasâ’i. Ibn Khuzaima
graded it Sahih and this is his wording].

566. Narrated Abû Huraira ‫رﺿ ﻰ اﷲ ﻋﻨﻪ‬: the Prophet ‫ ﺻﻠﻰ اﷲ ﻋﻠﻴﻪ وﺳﻠﻢ‬prohibited fasting on the
day of ‘Arafa at ‘Arafât. [Reported by Al-Khamsa except At-Tirmidhi; Ibn Khuzaima and
Al-Hâkim authenticated it, and Al-‘Uqaili rejected it].
567. Narrated ‘Abdullah bin ‘Umar ‫رﺿ ﻰ اﷲ ﻋ ﻨﻬﻤﺎ‬: Allah’s Messenger ‫ ﺻ ﻠﻰ اﷲ ﻋﻠ ﻴﻪ وﺳ ﻠﻢ‬said,
“He who observes perpetual fasting, has not fasted.” [Agreed upon]. Muslim reported it from
Abû Qatada with the wording: “He has not fasted nor broken his fast.”

9
 Buloogh al-Maraam – Kitaab as-Siyaam

Chapter 2
AL-I‘TIKAF AND OFFERING OF PRAYERS DURING THE NIGHTS OF
RAMADAN
568. Narrated Abû Huraira ‫رﺿ ﻰ اﷲ ﻋ ﻨﻪ‬: Allâh’s Messenger ‫ ﺻ ﻠﻰ اﷲ ﻋﻠ ﻴﻪ وﺳ ﻠﻢ‬said, “He who
prays during the night in Ramadân with faith and seeking his reward from Allâh will have
his past sins forgiven.” [Agreed upon].

569. Narrated ‘Aisha ‫رﺿ ﻰ اﷲ ﻋ ﻨﻬﺎ‬: When the last ten days of Ramadân began, Allah’s
Messenger ‫ ﺻ ﻠﻰ اﷲ ﻋﻠ ﻴﻪ وﺳ ﻠﻢ‬used to tighten his waist belt (i.e. occupy himself with the
worship of Allâh), stay awake all night, and awaken his family (for night prayers). [Agreed
upon].
570. Narrated (‘Aisha) ‫رﺿ ﻰ اﷲ ﻋ ﻨﻬﺎ‬: When the Prophet ‫ ﺻ ﻠﻰ اﷲ ﻋﻠ ﻴﻪ وﺳ ﻠﻢ‬intended I’tikaf
(seclusion in the mosque for worship), he prayed the dawn prayer and then entered his place
of seclusion. [Agreed upon].
571. Narrated (‘Aisha) ‫رﺿ ﻰ اﷲ ﻋ ﻨﻬﺎ‬: The Prophet ‫ ﺻ ﻠﻰ اﷲ ﻋﻠ ﻴﻪ وﺳ ﻠﻢ‬used to engage in I’tikaf
(seclusion in the mosque for worship) during the last ten days of Ramadân till Allâh, Who is
Great and Glorious took his soul (to His Mercy). Then, his wives engaged in I’tikaf after him
(i.e. after his death). [Agreed upon].
572. Narrated (‘Aisha) ‫رﺿ ﻰ اﷲ ﻋ ﻨﻬﺎ‬: Allâh’s Messenger ‫ ﺻ ﻠﻰ اﷲ ﻋﻠ ﻴﻪ وﺳ ﻠﻢ‬would put his head
in my room - while he was in the mosque - and I would then comb it. And he would never
enter the house except for a need, if he was in I’tikaf (seclusion).[Agreed upon; the wording
is Al-Bukhâri’s].
573. Narrated (‘Aisha) ‫رﺿ ﻰ اﷲ ﻋﻨﻬﺎ‬: The Sunna for one who is observing I’tikaf (seclusion in
a mosque for worship) is not to visit a sick person, nor attend a funeral, nor touch nor fondle
a woman (one’s wife), nor go out for any need, except for that which is an absolute
necessity. There is no I’tikaf without fasting, and no I’tikaf except in a congregational
mosque. [Abû Dâ’ud reported it, and its narrators are acceptable, except that the strongest
opinion is that the end of it (the last sentence) is Mawqûf (saying of a companion, i.e.
‘Aisha)].

10
 Buloogh al-Maraam – Kitaab as-Siyaam

574. Narrated Ibn ‘Abbâs ‫رﺿ ﻰ اﷲ ﻋ ﻨﻬﻤﺎ‬: The Prophet ‫ ﺻ ﻠﻰ اﷲ ﻋﻠ ﻴﻪ وﺳ ﻠﻢ‬said: “Fasting is not
incumbent on one engaged in I’tikaf (seclusion in the mosque for worship) unless he imposes
it on himself.” [Reported by Ad-Dâraqutni and Al-Hâkim. The strongest opinion is that it is
also Mawqûf (saying of a companion, i.e. Ibn ‘Abbas)].
575. Narrated Ibn ‘Umar ‫رﺿ ﻰ اﷲ ﻋ ﻨﻬﻤﺎ‬: Some of the Prophet’s ‫ ﺻ ﻠﻰ اﷲ ﻋﻠ ﻴﻪ وﺳ ﻠﻢ‬companions
saw in their dreams that Lailat-ul-Qadr was among the last seven nights (of Ramadân).
Hence, Allâh’s Messenger ‫ ﺻ ﻠﻰ اﷲ ﻋﻠ ﻴﻪ وﺳ ﻠﻢ‬said, “I see that your dreams agree regarding the
last seven nights. Therefore, whoever is to seek it, should do so during the last seven nights.”
[Agreed upon].

576. Narrated Mu‘âwiya bin Abû Sufyân ‫ رﺿ ﻰ اﷲ ﻋ ﻨﻬﻤﺎ‬: With regard to Lailat-ul-Qadr, the
Prophet ‫ ﺻ ﻠﻰ اﷲ ﻋﻠ ﻴﻪ وﺳ ﻠﻢ‬said, “It is the twenty-seventh night.” [Reported by Abû Dâ’ud. The
strongest opinion is that it is Mawqûf (saying of a companion, i.e. Mu’awiya].
Forty different sayings were mentioned regarding the exact night of Lailat-ul-Qadr and I
mentioned them in Fath Al-Bâri [Explanation of Sahih al-Bukhari, by al-Hafiz Ibn Hajar].
577. Narrated ‘Aisha ‫رﺿ ﻰ اﷲ ﻋ ﻨﻬﺎ‬: I said, “O Allâh’s Messenger, tell me, if I know which
night is Lailat-ul-Qadr, what (supplication) should I say in it?’ He said, “Say, O Allâh, You
are forgiving and love forgiveness, so forgive me.” [Reported by the Al-Khamsa except Abû
Dâ’ud; At-Tirmidhi and Al-Hâkim authenticated it].
578. Narrated Abû Sa‘îd Al-Khudri ‫رﺿ ﻰ اﷲ ﻋ ﻨﻪ‬: Allâh’s Messenger ‫ ﺻ ﻠﻰ اﷲ ﻋﻠ ﻴﻪ وﺳ ﻠﻢ‬said,
“Do not set out on a journey except to three mosques; i.e., Al-Masjid Al-Harâm (at Makka),
my Masjid (at Al-Madîna) and Al-Masjid Al-Aqsâ (Mosque of Jerusalem).” [Agreed upon].

11
 Supplementary Notes

An Introduction to the Mustalah al-Hadeeth

The Importance of this Study!

Is the authentic Sunnah considered as Revelation?

The Sunnah (including the sayings, actions and approvals of the Prophet) is the second of the two revealed
Fundamental Sources of Islam (along with the Qur'an).

What are the primary parts of a Hadeeth?

Every Hadeeth has two parts: Matn (text, or words which are reported) Isnaad (chain of narrators/reporters
through whom the text is transmitted).

Why is the Isnaad Important?

"The Isnaad is part of the Deen; had it not been for the Isnaad, whoever wished to would have said whatever
he liked." [Abdullah ibn al-Mubaarak (d. 181AH)]

Why is there a need for Verification of the Isnaad?

(a) Due to omission of a reporter (link) in the chain (for one reason or another)
(b) Due to deliberate fabrication of Ahaadeeth by various sects which appeared amongst the Muslims, in
order to support their deviations.

Acceptance or Rejection of a Hadeeth based upon its Narrators:

"They would not ask about the Isnaad. But, when the fitnah (trouble, turmoil...) happened, they said: Name to
us your men. So, the narrations of the Ahlus-Sunnah would be accepted, while those of the Ahlu-l-Bid'ah
would not be accepted. [Muhammad Ibn Seereen (d. 110AH)]

General overview of the Sciences of Hadeeth.

a. al-Mutoon (Matn) – The Texts of Ahaadeeth
b. ash-Shurooh (Sharh)– Explanations of the Ahaadeeth
c. al-Mustalah – Technical Classifications of the Hadeeth
d. at-Takh-reej/ar-Rijaal – Extraction and Identification of the Sources of Hadeeth;
Identification and Critical Classification of the Narrators of Hadeeth (Rijaal).

12
Brief History of Mustalah al-Hadeeth

The First Stage (Oral Transmission)

As time passed, more reporters were involved in each Isnaad, and hence the need for a more systematic
approach to the acceptance or rejection of Hadeeth. This system or science related to the rules and principles
of classification of Hadeeth is what is known as Mustalah al-Hadeeth. In the initial stage this information was
transmitted by the scholars orally.

The Second Stage (Scattered Writtings)

Later these rules and principles were written down (systematically), but in scattered writings - along with
other sciences such as al-Fiqh, Usool al-Fiqh, Hadeeth... - in such books as ar-Risaalah and al-Umm [Imaam
ash-Shaafi'ee (d.204AH)], the Introduction to Saheeh Muslim [Imaam Muslim ibn al-Hajjaaj (d.261AH)],
and al-Jaami' [Imaam at-Tirmidhee (279AH)]

The Third Stage (Independent/Specialized Works)

As time went on and the various sciences developed - in the 4th Century of the Hijrah - the scholars began to
author books for each science independently. One of the first to author a comprehensive book on the subject
of al-Mustalah was Abu Muhammad al-Hasan ibn Abdur-Rahmaan ar-Raama-hur-muzee (d.360AH), with
his book al-Muhaddith al-Faasil baina ar-Raawee wa-l-Waa'ee.

Many important books were written during this stage, including the books of al-Haakim an-Naisaabooree
(d.405H), al-Khateeb al-Baghdaadee (d.463H), al-Qaadee 'Iyaadh (d.544H), etc. Then, in the 7th Century of
the Hijrah, a book was written which came to be the standard reference for thousands of scholars and students
of Hadeeth until today: Uloom al-Hadeeth (which is known today as Muqaddimah Ibn Salaah) by Abu 'Amr
'Uthmaan ibn Abdur-Rahmaan ash-Shah-razooree [known as Ibn Salaah (d.643H)]

Many notable works were produced later - based upon the Muqaddimah of Ibn Salaah
Including: Taqreeb an-Nawaawee [an-Nawawee (d.676H)]; Tadreeb ar-Raawee [as-Suyootee (d.911H)];
Ikhtisaar Uloom al-Hadeeth [Ibn Katheer (d.774)]; at-Taqyeed wa-l-Eedaah [al-'Iraaqee (d.806H)]; an-
Nukat ala Kitaab Ibn Salaah [Ibn Hajar al-Asqalaanee (d.852H)];

Mustalah al-Hadeeth

The various books of al-Mustalah primarily deal with the classification of Hadeeth based upon various
considerations, including:
Reference to a Particular Authority: [Marfoo' - Mawqoof -Maqtoo']
Reference to the Links in the Isnaad: [Muttasil, Munqati', Mu'allaq...]
Reference to the number of reporters in every stage: [Mutawaatir, Aahaad]
Reference to the manner in which the Hadeeth is reported: ['An, Haddathanaa..]
Reference to the Nature of the Text or Chain: [Ziyaadah ath-Thiqah, Shaadh, Mudraj]
Reference to the Hidden Defects in the Text or Chain: [Mu'allal: Maqloob, Mudtarib]
Reference to the Reliability and Memory of the Reporters: [Saheeh, Hasan, Da'eef...]

13
Preliminary Definitions:

Ilm al-Mustalah
The knowledge of the principles and rules by which the condition/state of the Isnaad (chain of narrators) and
the Matn (Text) may be known, in reference to its acceptance or rejection.

Its Subject Matter

The Sanad (chain of narrators) and the Matn (Text) as regards its acceptance or rejection.

Its Benefit
The distinction between the Ahadeeth which are authentic and those which are weak.

Al-Hadeeth
(1) Linguistically: Something new
(2) Technically: That which is attributed to the Prophet – from his words, actions or approvals.

Al-Khabar
(1) Linguistically: News/Information
(2) Technically:
(a) It is the same as al-Hadeeth
(b) Something reported from other than the Prophet
(c) Including that which is reported from the Prophet or others

Al-Athar
(1) Linguistically: Remains/Remnants of something
(2) Technically:
(a) It is the same as al-Hadeeth
(b) The sayings and actions reported from the Sahaabah and Taabi’een.

Al-Isnaad
(a) Attributing or ascribing the Hadeeth to the one who said it – by way of a chain of narrators
(b) The actual chain of narrators that extends back to the text; and this meaning is the same as Sanad.

As-Sanad
(1) Linguistically: The Support/Prop (upon which something rests)
(2) Technically: The actual chain of narrators that extends back to the text.

Al-Matn
(1) Linguistically: Something solid, which is raised up from the earth.
(2) Technically: The actual speech/words that the chain of narrators ends with.

Al-Musnad
(1) Linguistically: That which has been attributed to someone.
(2) Technically:
(a) Every book whose narrations are separately arranged according to the Sahaabee who reported
it.
(b) That hadeeth which is traced back to the Prophet (marfoo’) with an unbroken chain
(muttasil).
(c) It may also refer to the Sanad (chain).

Al-Musnid
The one who narrates the hadeeth with its chain of narrators.

14
Al-Muhaddith
One who is engaged with the science of hadeeth – Riwaayatan (classification of the hadeeth and the narrators)
and Diraayatan (the texts of the hadeeth and its explanations) – having knowledge of a great many texts of
hadeeth and narrators.

Al-Haafidh
(a) The same as al-Muhaddith
(b) One who is of a higher standard – such that what he knows at every level of narrators is more than
what he does not know.

Al-Haakim
He who has knowledge comprehending almost all of the ahaadeeth, whereas only a few might escape him.

15
Rijaal al-Hadeeth
'Ilm ar-Rijaal deals with examination, inspection and scrutinizing the Biographies of the reporters/narrators of
Hadeeth for authenticating/favorable remarks (Ta'deel), or disparaging/unfavorable remarks (Jarh) about the
character ('Adaalah) of the narrators and their accuracy (Dabt) in reporting - in order to determine the
reliability and acceptability of what they have reported from the Prophet.

Examples of such remarks, in descending order of authentication, are:

Imaam (leader), Haafiz (preserver) (Saheeh - Authentic)
Thabt - Thiqah (reliable, trustworthy) (Saheeh - Authentic)
Yukh-tee (makes mistakes) (Da'eef or Hasan Li-Ghairi-hi -...)
Da'eef (weak) (Da'eef - Weak)
Matrook (abandoned by the scholars of Hadeeth) (Da'eef Jiddan - Very Weak)
Khadh-dhaab (liar, used to fabricate ahaadeeth) (Mawdoo' - Fabricated)

Note: In the case of conflicting remarks – from the same scholar or from two or more different scholars – all
remarks have to be reviewed carefully with consideration of: the reason given for the unfavorable remark;
the seriousness of the particular criticism; the authenticity of the chain by which the critical remarks are
transmitted; the eras of the critics whose remarks conflict; differences in the usage of the various technical
terms by different scholars; the strictness or leniency of the scholar or scholars whose comments are under
consideration…etc.

The scholars have been classified into three general categories here: Muta’annit, Muta-thabbit (extremely
critical, strict) Mu’tadil, Munsif (balanced, fair) Mutasaahil (lenient, easy going).

Outline of the general catagories of Hadeeth

-Relating to the number of narrators/reporters at each level of the chain
a. Al-Khabar al-Mutawaatir (consecutive)
b. Al-Khabar al-Aahaad (single, isolated): al-Mash-hoor (famous), al-Azeez (rare, strong), al-
Ghareeb (scarce, strange)

-Relating to the Acceptance or Rejection of a particular hadeeth

a. al-Khabar al-Maqbool (acceptable reports):
as-Saheeh (sound, authentic), al-Hasan (good); Saheeh Li-Ghairi-hi (due to
the support of other narrations), Hasan Li-Ghairi-hi (due to the support of other narrations)
b. al-Khabar al-Mar-dood (rejected reports): ad-Da’eef (weak)…
c. Reasons why a hadeeth may be rejected:
---A Break in the chain of narrators: al-Mu’allaq (hanging, suspended), al-Mursal (hurried), al-
Munqati’ (broken, cut off), al-Mu’dal (weakened)
Critical remarks concerning the narrators [Dabt (accuracy) or ‘Adaalah(character)]: al-Mawdoo’
(fabricated, forged), al-Matrook (abandoned), …
Al-Jahaalah bi-l-Raawee (A narrator whose credibility is not confirmed)

–Relating to the Source or Authority from whom the Hadeeth is related

al-Hadeeth al-Qudsee (reported from Allah), al-Marfoo’ (elevated, raised up), al-Mawqoof (stopped,
suspended), al-Maq-too’ (severed, cut off)

-Other Categories of Hadeeth which may be Acceptable or Rejected

al-Musnad (supported); al-Muttasil (continuous)

16
Classification of Hadeeth With Reference to a Particular Authority

Marfoo’
Linguistically: Raised up, Elevated
Technically: That which has been ascribed or attributed to the Prophet

Mawqoof
Linguistically: Stopped, suspended
Technically: That which has been ascribed or attributed to the Sahaabah; it may also be used to
refer to those after the Sahaabah, if restricted by such saying as: Mawqoof az-Zuhree (a saying of
Ibn Shihaab az-Zuhree).

Some types of narrations appear to be mawqoof, while, in fact, they take the ruling of marfoo’
[raised up to the Prophet].

Maqtoo’
Linguistically: Severed, cut off
Technically: That which has been ascribed or attributed to the Taabi’een or those who came after
them.

Classification of Hadeeth With Reference to the Links in the Isnaad

[In consideration of whether the chain is broken (munqati’) or unbroken (muttasil)]

Musnad
Linguistically: That which has been attributed to someone.
Technically:
(a) That hadeeth which is traced back to the Prophet (marfoo’) with an unbroken chain
(muttasil).
(b) Every book whose narrations are separately arranged according to the Sahaabee who
reported it.

It’s Ruling (Hukm): It could be Saheeh, and it could be Da’eef.

Munqati’
Linguistically: Cut off, detached, non continuous
Technically: The (hadeeth) whose Isnaad is not connected (non-continuous), without consideration
of how or where the break(s) occurs. This definition includes all types of broken chains. However,
many of the scholars use it to refer specifically to broken chains other than: Mursal (a break at the
end), Mu’allaq (a break at the beginning) or Mu’dal (two consecutive missing links) [full definitions
follow].

It’s Ruling (Hukm): It is Da’eef (weak).

Mursal
Linguistically: Set free, hurried

17
Technically: The (hadeeth) whose narrator(s) is missing – at the end of the Isnaad, after the
Taabi’ee; for example, a Taabi’ee says: ‘Qaala Rasoolu-llah…’

It’s Ruling (Hukm): There are three (3) opinions:

(a) Da’eef Mardood (weak, rejected). This is the opinion of the majority of scholars of Hadeeth,
as well as many of the scholars of Fiqh (Jurisprudence) and Usool (Fundamentals of
Jurisprudence) - due to ignorance of the status of the missing link who could very well be
other than a Sahaabee (companion).

(b) Saheeh Hujjah (authentic, proof), with the condition that the narrator who reports from the
Prophet (at the point of the missing link) is Thiqah (reliable), and that he is known not to
leave out the person he reports from except that the missing person is Thiqah (reliable) also.
This is the opinion of Abu Haneefah, Maalik, and the more well known opinion of Ahmad.
They say that it is not possible that a reliable Taabi’ee would attribute something to the
Prophet unless he heard it from a reliable source.

(c) Maqbool (acceptable), if supported by other factors [The opinion of ash-Shaafi’ee ..]

Mursal as-Sahaabee
It is the ahaadeeth reported from the Companions, which they have not heard directly from the
Prophet nor witnessed – due to their young age, late acceptance of Islam, or being absent from the
Prophet.

It’s Ruling (Hukm): Saheeh Hujjah (authentic, proof), according to the majority of scholars – since
a Sahaabee rarely narrates from other than another Sahaabee, and if they narrated from a Taabi’ee
they would say so clearly; otherwise, the failure to mention the name of the Sahaabee whom he
heard from is not detrimental since all of the Sahaabah are reliable trustworthy reporters.

Mu’allaq
Linguistically: Hanging, suspended
Technically: The (hadeeth) which has one or more consecutive narrators deleted from the beginning
of it’s Isnaad (chain) [from the point of the collector, like al-Bukhaaree, etc.].

It’s Ruling (Hukm): Mardood (rejected), since it is missing one of the conditions of Qubool
(acceptance), i.e. a connected chain of narrators (ittisaal as-sanad), due to the deletion of one or
more narrators, whose condition (or reliability) is unknown.

Mu’dal
Linguistically: Perplexing, weakened, disabled
Technically: The (hadeeth) which has two or more consecutive narrators deleted from it Isnaad
(chain of narrators) – at any point of the chain, except the beginning (Mu’allaq) or the end (Mursal).

It’s Ruling (Hukm): Da’eef (weak). It is weaker than the Mursal and Munqati’- due to the increase
in the number of missing narrators from the Isnaad.

18
Classification of Hadeeth According to the Number of Reporters at each Stage of the
Chain

Mutawaatir
Linguistically: That which is consecutive, or comes in succession.
Technically: That which is reported by such a large number of people that it would be impossible –
under normal conditions – to conspire to forge or fabricate it.

Its Conditions (Shuroot):

(a) That it be reported by a very large number of people (which is not agreed upon)
(b) That its large number of reporters is found in every level of the chain
(c) That under normal circumstances, it would be impossible to conspire to forge the report
(d) That its basis be derived from something known by the senses: sight, hearing, touching…

It’s Ruling (Hukm): al-Ilm ad-Darooree (Yaqeenee) Certain knowledge is derived from it, which a
person is obligated to accept just as if he/she had actually witnessed it. There is no need to seek out
the status of the chain of reporters.

Its Divisions (Aqsaam):

(a) al-Mutawaatir al-Lafzee (in the actual wording); the one whose wording and meaning are
Mutawaatir,
(b) Al-Mutawaatir al-Ma’nawee (in the meaning only); like the hadeeth of raising the hands in
supplication, punishment in the grave, the fountain of the Prophet on the Day of
Resurrection, building a masjid for the sake of Allah…

Khabar al-Aahaad
Linguistically: It is the plural of one (ahad)
Technically: That which does not fulfill all the conditions of the Mutawaatir.

Its Ruling (Hukm) al-Ilm an-Nadharee Knowledge which requires investigation [to confirm
its authenticity or its indications].

Al-Mash-hoor
Linguistically: Well-known, famous
Technically: That which is reported by three or more people at every level in the chain, while not
fulfilling the conditions for Mutawaatir.

Its Ruling (Hukm): Neither of the two types of Mash-hoor is necessarily described as Saheeh
(authentic) or Da’eef (weak); it may be Saheeh, Hasan, Da’eef or even Mawdoo’

al-Azeez
Linguistically: Rare or Strong
Technically: That which is reported by no less than two narrators at every level of the chain [even if
it exceeds two at some of the levels in the chain of narrators]. An example of a Hadeeth Azeez:
None of you is a believer (perfectly) until I am more beloved to him than his father, his child and all
of mankind. [Bukhaaree, Muslim].

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Its Ruling (Hukm): It is not necessarily described as Saheeh (authentic) or Da’eef (weak); it may be
Saheeh, Hasan, Da’eef or even Mawdoo’

Ghareeb
Linguistically: Single, Alone; or far from one’s relatives
Technically: That which has been reported by a single narrator at one or more levels of the chain of
narrators. Another Name for the Ghareeb Hadeeth is al-Fard

Its Ruling (Hukm): It could be Saheeh or Da’eef, though more often than not, it is weak.

Classification of Hadeeth According to the Manner In Which the Hadeeth is Reported

Al-Mudallas
Linguistically: It is derived from at-Tadlees, i.e.: hiding the defect of a product from the
purchaser.
Technically: Hiding the defect in the chain of narrators to improve its appearance.

(a) Tadlees al-Isnaad: It has a number of definitions from the earlier scholars, including:
--The narrator reports from his teacher [whom he has heard some hadeeth from]
other hadeeth which he has not heard directly from his teacher;
but he has actually heard it through a third party –
and he uses an expression (such as Qaala: he said or ‘An: from)
which gives the impression – without actually saying it –
that he has heard it directly from his teacher.

--The narrator reports from a contemporary scholar [whom he may or may not have met]
Hadeeth which he did not hear from him,
Using an expression (such as Qaala: he said or ‘An: from so-and- so)
Giving the impression – without actually saying it –
That he has actually heard it directly from that contemporary scholar.
[Some scholars view this second definition as al-Mursal al-Khafee]

Tadlees at-Tasweeyah: It is a sub-type, of Tadlees al-Isnaad.

It is when a narrator reports a hadeeth from a weak reporter – who is the link in the chain between
two reliable reporters, and both of the reliable reporters have met each other [leaving open the
possibility of one of them narrating from the other]. Here, the first narrator deletes the weak
reporter – who is in between the two reliable ones – and reports the hadeeth as though one of the
reliable reporters heard it directly from other, which gives the appearance that the chain of narrators
is Saheeh. While in fact, the reliable reporter heard it from a weak reporter, who in turn heard it
from a reliable reporter. Therefore, the chain would be considered Da’eef.

(b) Tadlees ash-Shuyookh

This is when a narrator reports a hadeeth which he has actually heard from his teacher, then
mentions his teacher with a name, Kunyah, title, description which he is not well known by, in
order to hide his true identity.

The Ruling (Hukm) Concerning the Reports from those who practiced at-Tadlees:
First Opinion: All of their narrations are rejected, even if they make it clear that they heard that
particular hadeeth from the teacher whom they are reporting from.

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Second Opinion: There should be a distinction made between the reports or narrations that the
Mudallis makes clear that he has heard it from his teacher [to be accepted]; and those for which he
uses expressions that do not make it clear [to be rejected]. This is the correct opinion.

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Classification of Hadeeth According to the Nature of the Text and Isnaad

Shaadhdh [see also Mah-fooz]

Linguistically: it means infiraad: the odd one in the group
Technically: That which is narrated by a reliable (maq-bool) narrator, in contradiction to what is
narrated by those who are more reliable than him.

Its Ruling (Hukm): It is classified as a weak hadeeth – rejected.

Its opposite is Mahfooz (the preserved or correctly memorized narration), that which is narrated by a
more reliable narrator in contradiction to a less reliable narrator.

Munkar [see also Ma’roof]

Linguistically: That which is rejected or repudiated, as opposed to that which is accepted.
Technically: It has been defined in a number of ways. The following are two:
(a) The hadeeth whose chain of narrators contains a narrator who makes serious mistakes (Fah-
sha al-Ghalat), innumerable instances of unmindfulness (Kath-ratu al-Ghaf-lah), or openly
displays evil or immoral behavior (Zuhoor al-Fisq).
(b) The hadeeth which is reported by a weak (da’eef) narrator – in contradiction to that which is
reported by a reliable narrator (thiqah).

Its Ruling (Hukm): It is classified as a very weak hadeeth (da’eef jiddan) – rejected.
Its opposite is Ma’roof (the approved or accepted narration), that which is narrated by a reliable
(thiqah) narrator in contradiction to what is narrated by a weak (da’eef) narrator.

Mudraj
Linguistically: that which has been entered into something else and joined to it.
Technically: That isnaad (chain of narrators) whose order has been changed; or the matn (text)
which has had something added to it - which is not part of it - without any indication of separation.

Its Ruling (Hukm): It is forbidden to do it (Idraaj), except in the case of explaining a word as az-
Zuhri used to do.

Classification of Hadeeth According to a Hidden Defect in the Isnaad or Text of a

Hadeeth

Mud-tarib
Linguistically: it is derived from id-tiraab: disturbance (of a system), disorder, confusion; shaking.
Technically: That which has been reported in (a) contradictory narrations [which do not allow for
reconciliation], while each narration is (b) of equal strength [such that no one of them can be given
preference over the other(s)]. Both of these factors must be present for a hadeeth to be considered
Mud-tarib.

Maq-loob
Linguistically: reversed, turned upside down
Technically: Exchanging an expression for another in the isnaad or matn, by advancing or putting
back.

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Classification of Hadeeth According to the Reliability and Memory of the Reporters

Saheeh
Linguistically: The opposite of sick/defective: Healthy, Sound.
Technically: That which has been reported with (1) a connected chain of narrators (Ittisaal as-
sanad); through narrators – from the beginning of the chain until the end - who are known to be (2)
trustworthy/of good character (‘Adl) and (3) accurate/precise memory (Daabit); being free of (4)
contradicting those who are more reliable (Shaadhdh); and free of any (5) hidden defect (‘Illah
Qaadihah) which affects the authenticity of the hadeeth - though it appears to be free of any defect.
Its Ruling: It is Obligatory to act upon it according to the consensus of the scholars …

Hasan
Linguistically: Good, handsome, beautiful.
Technically: That which fulfills the five (5) conditions of a Saheeh Hadeeth, i.e.:(1) Ittisaal as-
sanad; (2) ‘Adl and (3) Daabit; not being (4) Shaadhdh; nor having any (5) ‘Illah Qaadihah -
except that the accuracy/precision of one or more of its narrators is of a lesser standard than the
narrators of a Saheeh Hadeeth.
Its Ruling: It is the same as for the Saheeh, except that it is less than the Saheeh in strength.
The Sub-divisions of Saheeh and Hasan
As-Saheeh li-Ghairi-hi (Raised up to Saheeh, due to support from other narrations)
This is a hadeeth which is Hasan on its own merit, and then is reported by another chain of narrators
similar to it in strength – or stronger – which supports it and raises it to the level of Saheeh.

Its Ruling It may be used as a proof in religious matters.

Al-Hasan li-Ghairi-hi (Raised up to Hasan, due to support from other narrations)

This is a hadeeth which is originally Da’eef, but due to other chains of narrators reporting the same
matn (text) literally or in meaning – it is strengthened and considered Hasan li-Ghairi-hi.

Its Ruling It may be used as a proof in religious matters.

Da’eef
Linguistically: Opposite of the strong: Weak
Technically: That which does not fulfill the conditions of the Saheeh nor the Hasan hadeeth – due to
the absence of one or more of its conditions. And just as there are levels of the Saheeh, there are
levels of the weak – the weaker the narrators, the weaker it becomes, ranging through: Da’eef
(Weak), Da’eef Jiddan (Very Weak), Waahee (Baseless) Munkar (Weak and contradicting
something more authentic), and Mawdoo’ (Fabricated), the worst of the rejected reports.

Its Ruling: Some of the great scholars, amongst them Imaams al-Bukhaaree, Muslim, Ibn Ma’een
and Ibn Hazm, hold that the weak hadeeth is rejected outright and not to be acted upon as it is not
knowledge.
--Others hold that it may be acted upon if conditions are met – and then only with regards to
encouragement for doing good or avoiding evil. The conditions, as explained by Ibn Hajr are:
(a) That its weakness is not severe
(b) That it falls under something general already established in the Sharee’ah, and
(c) That it is not considered to be something established or as having come from the Prophet

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Classification of Hadeeth According to the Reliability and Memory of the Reporters
(cont’d)

Mawdoo’
Linguistically: That which is put down. It is named as such due to its lowly status.
Technically: It is Kadhib (a lie), Mukh-talaq (invented), Mas-noo’ (manufactured) which is then
attributed to the Prophet.

Its Ruling: Scholars have agreed that it is not permissible to narrate it except that it is accompanied
with clear mention of it being a fabrication. This is due to the hadeeth reported by Muslim in the
introduction to his book (Saheeh Muslim): Whoever narrates from me that which he thinks (knows)
that it may be a lie, then he is one of the two liars [one has fabricated it, and the other passes it on to
others].

How is the Fabricated Hadeeth Known?

(a) Al-Iqraar: Confession
(b) That which is equivalent to a confession:
(c) Qareenah fi ar-Raawee: An indication in the Narrator
(d) Qareenah fi al-Marwee: An indication in the narration

Reasons For Fabrication and the Types of People Who Did It

(a) Seeking Nearness to Allah (at-Taqarrub ila Allah) [and His Reward].
(b) To Support their Madh-hab (al-Intisaar lil-Madh-hab)(School of Thought).
(c) To Disgrace/Attack Islaam (at-Ta’an fi al-Islaam).
(d) Seeking to Flatter/Earn the Favor of the Rulers (at-Tazalluf ila al-Hukkaam).
(e) Seeking to Earn a Living (at-Takassub wa Talab ar-Rizq) (Livelihood).
(f) Seeking Fame, Notoriety (Qasd ash-Shuh-rah).

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