What is Islam
Pillars of Islam
What is Qur'an
What is Hadeeth
Who is Muhammad

What is Hadeeth

The second sacred source of every Muslim's faith and practice is Hadeeth (the first being Holy Qur'an).

Hadeeth are traditions of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) which inform us about the practical aspects of Divine commandments for human life and provide explanations and demonstrations of the basic principles outlined by God Almighty.

In fact Hadeeth are the sayings, deeds and approvals of the Prophet (PBUH) under Divine guidance and are called the Sunnah. So these Hadeeth are termed as Revelation narrated in the words of the Prophet (PBUH). The Hadeeth are reliably transmitted reports by the Prophet Muhammad's (PBUH) companions.

Imam Bukhari's (810-870 CE) collection of Hadeeth named "Sahih Bukhari" is the most authentic book after the Holy Quran. He chose approximately 7,563 Hadeeth with repetition and about 2,230 without repetition.

Imam Muslim's (821-875 CE) collection of Hadeeth named "Sahih Muslim" is the second most authentic book after "Sahih Al-Bukhari". He selected 4,000 Hadeeth for this collection.

Some Examples of the Hadeeth

1. Ibn Masud narrated: "The Prophet (PBUH) used to take care of us in preaching by selecting a suitable time, so that we might not get bored. (He abstained from annoying us with religious talk and knowledge all the time)." - collected by Sahih Al-Bukhari

2. "A good word is charity" - Sahih Al-Bukhari & Sahih Muslim

3. "The most perfect of the believers in faith are the best of them in morals. And the best among them are those who are best to their wives." - Ahmad & At-Tirmidi

4. "Pay the worker his wage before his sweat dries." - Ibn Majah

5. "God does not judge you according to your appearance and your wealth, but He looks at your hearts and looks into your deeds."

6. Abu Hurairah (R) reported: Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "He who believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him not harm his neighbour; and he who believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him show hospitality to his guest; and he who believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him speak good or remain silent." - Sahih Al-Bukhari & Sahih Muslim

7. Aishah (R) reported: When Messenger of Allah (PBUH) died, his armour was mortgaged with a Jew for thirty Sa' (measures) of barley. - Sahih Al-Bukhari & Sahih Muslim