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In plain terms
Hadith
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A hadith is a report of something the Prophet Muhammad said, did, or approved of. It passes down through a chain of narrators, called an isnad. Scholars grade each hadith's reliability (see sahih, hasan, da'if).
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Related terms
Isnad
An isnad is the chain of narrators reporting a hadith back to the Prophet Muhammad. Scholars examine each name for honesty, memory, and plausible contact with the next narrator…
Sahih
Sahih describes a hadith judged authentic. Its chain of narrators is unbroken and reliable, and its wording doesn't contradict stronger evidence. It is the highest of the…
Hasan
Hasan describes a hadith judged reliable, with a chain slightly weaker than sahih. Often this is because one narrator's memory, while trustworthy, is rated less precise. It still…
Da'if
Da'if describes a hadith judged weak, because of a gap or an unreliable narrator somewhere in its chain. Scholars differ on how, or whether, a da'if hadith may still be used. A…
Sunnah
Sunnah is the example of the Prophet Muhammad — his sayings, actions, and approvals, recorded in hadith. It is a source of Islamic law second only to the Qur'an. The word is also…