What is a Hadith?
In Islam, a Hadith is a report of the sayings, actions, or silent approvals of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. These narrations serve as a vital source of guidance, second only to the Qur’an. While the Qur’an is the divine revelation, Hadith provides practical examples of how the Prophet lived and applied its teachings.
Each Hadith consists of two parts. There is isnad, which is the chain of narrators who transmitted the report and matn which is the actual content of the Hadith.
What is an example of a Hadith?
A well-known hadith is “Actions are judged by intentions.” (Sahih Bukhari, Hadith 1)
This Hadith emphasizes the importance of sincerity in all deeds and is foundational in Islamic ethics and jurisprudence.
What are the 5 Hadith of Islam?
This phrase often refers to the Hadith that outlines the Five Pillars of Islam, narrated by Abdullah ibn Umar:
“Islam is built on five:
Testifying that there is no god but Allah and Muhammad is His Messenger
Establishing prayer
Giving Zakah
Performing Hajj
Fasting in Ramadan.”
(Sahih Bukhari & Muslim)
These five pillars form the foundation of a Muslim’s faith and practice.
Classification and Authenticity
Hadiths are classified based on their reliability:
You have sahih hadith which have a sound/authentic meaning and have the highest reliability. Then there is hasan hadith which have a good/acceptable meaning with moderate reliability. Da’if hadith have a weak/low meaning with low reliability. Mawdu’ hadith have fabricated meaning and are rejected for their reliability.
Scholars assess Hadiths by examining the chain of narrators (Isnad) and the content (Matn). A hadith is considered sahih if it has a continuous chain of trustworthy narrators and no contradictions.
Key Hadith Collections for Beginners
If you're just starting out, here are some accessible and respected collections:
- 40 Hadith of Imam Nawawi: A concise and powerful compilation of essential Hadiths.
- Riyad as-Salihin: Focuses on ethics and spirituality.
- Sahih Bukhari & Sahih Muslim: The most authentic collections in Sunni Islam.
You can view our full range of hadith available at My Little Library here.
Studying Hadith requires care and guidance
Here are some tips:
- Start with trusted collections like Sahih Bukhari or Imam Nawawi’s 40 Hadith.
- Learn from qualified scholars to avoid misinterpretation.
- Understand the context — hadiths are rooted in specific historical and cultural settings.
- Use commentaries to grasp deeper meanings.
- Memorize gradually, focusing on short, impactful hadiths.
- Apply what you learn in daily life to reinforce understanding hadith safely and effectively