Question

What are all the “original/main sources” books of Hadith that were not compiled from other sources?

And in a sepearted list from this can you list the “famous” books which were compiled from “main sources”.

 

Answer

It is impossible to enlist every such book. You may refer to the book Ar Risalatul Mustatrafah, the masterpiece of Al Muhaddith Muhammad ibn Ja’far Al Kattani (rahimahullah) for a broader exposure to the Hadith sources.

Hereunder are the names of twenty original/primary sources:

The Sahih of Imams: Bukhari, Muslim, Ibn Khuzaymah and Ibn Hibban (rahimahumullahu jami’an).

The Sunan of Imams: Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah, Nasai, Darimi, Sa’id Ibn Mansur, Bayhaqi (rahimahumullahu jami’an).

The Musannaf of Imams: ‘Abdur Razzaq, Ibn Abi Shaybah and Baqiy Ibn Makhlad (rahimahumullahu jami’an).

The Musnads of Imams: Ahmad, Ishaq Ibn Rahuyah, Ibn Abi Shaybah, Abu Dawud At-Tayalisi, Abu Ya’la, Bazzar (rahimahumullahu jami’an).

Ten famous non-primary Hadith books

1. Mishkatul Masabih,

2. At-Targhib Wat-Tarhib of ‘Allamah Mundhiri,

3. Riyadus Sawlihin,

4. Al-Matjarur Rabih,

5. Hisnul Hasin,

6. Majma’uz Zawaid,

7. Al-Maqasidul Hasanah,

8. Al-Qawlul Badi’

9. Al-Jami’us Saghir,

10. Al-Jami’ul Kabir,

Note: As a rule, the mere existance of a Hadith in a Hadith book; be it a primary or non primary source doesn’t necessitate the authenticity of that narration. Unless the author ensures so, as is the case with the books entitled: “Sahih” like Sahih Bukhari, Muslim, Ibn Khuzaymah and Ibn Hibban.

From the non primary sources, the kitab Riyadus Sawlihin enjoys the same privilege, since the author guaranteed that every Hadith therein will be authentic.

If that is not the case (i.e., the author does not guarantee authenticity) then each narration will have to be vetted on an individual basis.

(Muqaddimah ibnus Salah)

 

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best,

Answered by: Mawlana Muhammad Abasoomar

Checked by: Mawlana Haroon Abasoomar