Question

What is the meaning of primary and secondary Hadith sources?

 

Answer

A primary Hadith source is a book where the author cites their own chain of narrators.

A secondary source refers to those works where the author presents a Hadith without mentioning their chain of transmission. In some books, these authors reference the Hadith to the primary source.

 

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.

Answered by: Mawlana Suhail Motala

Approved by: Mawlana Muhammad Abasoomar,

Preference is always given to referencing from a primary source, unless it is inaccessible, or there exists an additional benefit in the secondary source.