Hadith (Sunnah) - by collector's

Hadith refers to the recorded sayings, actions, and approvals of Prophet Muhammad, as narrated by his companions and preserved in written collections. Hadith serves as an important source of Islamic guidance and law, as it provides practical examples of how the Prophet lived and applied the teachings of the Quran. Hadith collections are classified based on their authenticity, with the most reliable collections being Sahih (authentic) and Hasan (sound). Hadith scholarship involves analyzing the chains of narration (isnad) and the content (matn) of the reports to determine their authenticity and reliability.

Bukhari Hadith (most Authentic): 

The Sahih al-Bukhari contains a total of 7,563 hadiths. It is difficult to determine the exact number of unique hadiths in the collection, as some hadiths may have multiple chains of transmission and variations in wording. However, it is generally accepted that the number of unique hadiths in Sahih al-Bukhari is around 2,602.

Imam Al-Bukhari, the author of the famous Hadith collection "Sahih Al-Bukhari", had strict requirements for a hadith to be classified as "Sahih" (authentic). The main conditions for a hadith to be considered Sahih by Al-Bukhari were:

• The chain of narrators (isnad) should be continuous and all narrators should be known for their righteousness, honesty, and memory.
• The hadith should be mutawatir, meaning it should have been narrated by a large number of people at every level of the chain of narrators.
• The hadith should not contradict other authentic hadiths or the teachings of the Quran.
• The text of the hadith should be free from any defects or errors.
• The hadith should have been transmitted through an unbroken chain of narrators from the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

These strict conditions ensured that only the most reliable and authentic hadiths were included in Sahih Al-Bukhari. As a result, it is considered one of the most authentic and reliable sources of Islamic teachings after the Quran.

There were many major contributors of Hadiths (sayings and actions of the Prophet Muhammad) in Islamic history. Some of the most well-known and respected compilers and narrators of Hadiths include:

Imam Bukhari (810-870 CE) - is called the most Authentic
Imam Muslim (821-875 CE)
Imam Abu Dawud (817-889 CE)
Imam Tirmidhi (824-892 CE)
Imam An-Nasa'i (830-915 CE)
Imam Ibn Majah (824-887 CE)
Imam Malik ibn Anas (711-795 CE)
Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal (780-855 CE)
Imam Al-Bayhaqi (994-1066 CE)
Imam Al-Tahawi (853-933 CE)

Imam Al-Darimi (868-936 CE)
Imam Al-Nawawi (1233-1277 CE) - best known for his work on 40 Hadith's
Imam Ibn Khuzaymah (837-923 CE)
Imam Ibn Hibban (d. 965 CE)
Imam Ibn Abi Shaybah (749-849 CE)
Imam Al-Bukhari Al-Ju'fi (d. 936 CE)
Imam Abu Bakr Al-Athram (729-807 CE)
Imam Al-Baghawi (1044-1117 CE)
Imam Al-Hakim (933-1014 CE)
Imam Ibn Hazm (994-1064 CE)

These scholars were known for their expertise in Hadiths and their meticulous attention to detail in collecting and verifying them. Their works have played a significant role in the development and preservation of Islamic knowledge and have helped shape Islamic theology and practice.

There are some more notable contributors to Hadith literature in Islamic history in ascending order:

• Imam Malik ibn Anas (711-795 CE)
• Imam Abu Bakr Al-Athram (729-807 CE)
• Imam Ibn Abi Shaybah (749-849 CE)
• Imam Al-Shafi'i (767-820 CE)
• Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal (780-855 CE)
• Imam Ibn Khuzaymah (837-923 CE)
• Imam Al-Tirmidhi (824-892 CE)
• Imam Al-Nasa'i (830-915 CE)
• Imam Ibn Majah (824-887 CE)
• Imam Al-Darimi (868-936 CE)
• Imam Al-Tabarani (873-971 CE)
• Imam Al-Hakim (933-1014 CE)
• Imam Al-Mawardi (972-1058 CE)
• Imam Ibn Hazm (994-1064 CE)
• Imam Al-Bukhari Al-Ju'fi (d. 936 CE)
• Imam Al-Bayhaqi (994-1066 CE)
• Imam Ibn Hibban (d. 965 CE)
• Imam Ibn Qudamah (1146-1223 CE)
• Imam Al-Qurtubi (1214-1273 CE)
• Imam Ibn Taymiyyah (1263-1328 CE)
• Imam Al-Nawawi (1233-1277 CE)
• Imam Al-Dhahabi (1274-1348 CE)
• Imam Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali (1335-1403 CE)
• Imam Ibn Kathir (1301-1373 CE)
• Imam Al-Jazari (1360-1429 CE)
• Imam Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani (1372-1449 CE)
• Imam Al-Zarqani (d. 1399 CE)
• Imam Al-Suyuti (1445-1505 CE)
• Imam Al-Sakhawi (1428-1497 CE)
• Imam Al-Suyuti Al-Shafi'i (1445-1505 CE)
• Imam Al-Muttaqi al-Hindi (1500-1567 CE)
• Imam Muhammad al-Fasi (1571-1631 CE)
• Muhammad Tahir al-Fattani (1570-1641 CE) 
• Shah Waliullah Dehlawi (1703-1762 CE)
• Imam Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab (1703-1792 CE)
• Shaykh Muhammad Zakariya al-Kandahlawi (1898-1982 CE)
• Muhammad Zakariya al-Kandahlawi (1898-1982 CE)
• Abdullah Yusuf Ali (1872-1953 CE)
• Muhammad Iqbal (1877-1938 CE)
• Muhammad Abdul Aleem Siddiqui (1892-1956 CE)
• Sayyid Abul Ala Maududi (1903-1979 CE)
• Muhammad Hamidullah (1908-2002 CE)
• Muhammad Nasiruddin al-Albani (1914-1999 CE)
• Shaykh Abd al-Fattah Abu Ghuddah (1917-1997 CE)
• Ismail al-Faruqi (1921-1986 CE)
• Yusuf al-Qaradawi (1926-2021 CE)
• Shaykh Mustafa al-Azami (1928-2018 CE)
• Seyyed Hossein Nasr (born 1933 CE)

Here are some brief details about each of the individuals listed above:

• Imam Malik ibn Anas (711-795 CE): A scholar of hadith and law, known for his compilation of the "Muwatta" which became one of the foundational texts of Islamic law.
• Imam Abu Bakr Al-Athram (729-807 CE): A scholar of hadith who compiled a famous book of narrations and was known for his piety and devotion.
• Imam Ibn Abi Shaybah (749-849 CE): A scholar of hadith who compiled one of the earliest and most comprehensive collections of hadith narrations.
• Imam Al-Shafi'i (767-820 CE): A prominent scholar of Islamic law who founded the Shafi'i school of jurisprudence.
• Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal (780-855 CE): A prominent scholar of Islamic law and founder of the Hanbali school of jurisprudence.
• Imam Ibn Khuzaymah (837-923 CE): A scholar of hadith who compiled a famous collection of narrations and was known for his piety and knowledge.
• Imam Al-Tirmidhi (824-892 CE): A scholar of hadith who compiled a famous collection of narrations, known as the "Jami'".
• Imam Al-Nasa'i (830-915 CE): A scholar of hadith who compiled a famous collection of narrations, known as the "Sunan al-Nasa'i".
• Imam Ibn Majah (824-887 CE): A scholar of hadith who compiled a famous collection of narrations, known as the "Sunan Ibn Majah".
• Imam Al-Darimi (868-936 CE): A scholar of hadith who compiled a famous collection of narrations, known as the "Sunan al-Darimi".
• Imam Al-Tabarani (873-971 CE): A scholar of hadith who compiled a famous collection of narrations, known as the "Al-Mu'jam al-Kabeer".
• Imam Al-Hakim (933-1014 CE): A scholar of hadith who compiled a famous collection of narrations, known as the "Al-Mustadrak".
• Imam Al-Mawardi (972-1058 CE): A prominent scholar of Islamic law and political theory, known for his works on governance and statecraft.
• Imam Ibn Hazm (994-1064 CE): A prominent scholar of Islamic law and theology, known for his works on legal theory and religious disputes.
• Imam Al-Bukhari Al-Ju'fi (d. 936 CE): A prominent scholar of hadith who compiled one of the most famous collections of narrations, known as the "Sahih al-Bukhari".
• Imam Al-Bayhaqi (994-1066 CE): A scholar of hadith who compiled a famous collection of narrations, known as the "Sunan al-Kubra".
• Imam Ibn Hibban (d. 965 CE): A scholar of hadith who compiled a famous collection of narrations, known as the "Sahih Ibn Hibban".
• Imam Ibn Qudamah (1146-1223 CE): A prominent scholar of Islamic law and theology, known for his works on legal theory and spirituality.
• Imam Al-Qurtubi (1214-1273 CE): A scholar of Quranic exegesis and Islamic law, known for his famous commentary on the Quran.
• Imam Ibn Taymiyyah (1263-1328 CE): A controversial scholar of Islamic law and theology, known for his works on Islamic philosophy and religious reform.
• Imam Al-Nawawi (1233-1277 CE): A highly respected Sunni scholar known for his works on hadith, Islamic law, and spirituality. His most famous works include "Al-Minhaj al-Qawim" and "Al-Adhkar".
• Imam Al-Dhahabi (1274-1348 CE): A prominent scholar of hadith and biography of the Prophet Muhammad and his companions. He is known for his "Siyar A'lam al-Nubala" which is a collection of biographies of notable Muslims throughout history.
• Imam Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali (1335-1403 CE): A scholar of Islamic law and spirituality, known for his works on the Hanbali school of jurisprudence and his book "Jami' al-'Ulum wa'l-Hikam" which discusses Islamic morals and ethics.
• Imam Ibn Kathir (1301-1373 CE): A prominent scholar of Islamic history and Quranic exegesis, known for his famous commentary on the Quran called "Tafsir Ibn Kathir" and his book "Al-Bidayah wa'l-Nihayah" which is a comprehensive history of Islam.
• Imam Al-Jazari (1360-1429 CE): A renowned scholar of Quranic exegesis and the science of recitation, known for his book "Al-Jazariyyah" which is a famous poem on the rules of Quranic recitation.
• Imam Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani (1372-1449 CE): A prominent scholar of hadith and Quranic exegesis, known for his commentary on the collection of hadith known as "Al-Bukhari" and his book "Fath al-Bari" which explains the meanings and implications of hadith.
• Imam Al-Zarqani (d. 1399 CE): A scholar of Islamic law and spirituality, known for his book "Manahil al-'Irfan fi 'Ulum al-Quran" which is a commentary on the Quran that focuses on its spiritual meanings and practical application.
• Imam Al-Suyuti (1445-1505 CE): A prolific scholar known for his works on hadith, Quranic exegesis, and Islamic history. Some of his most famous works include "Al-Itqan fi 'Ulum al-Quran", "Tafsir al-Jalalayn", and "Tarikh al-Khulafa".
• Imam Al-Sakhawi (1428-1497 CE): A scholar of hadith and Islamic history, known for his book "Al-Daw' al-Lami' li-Ahl al-Qarni al-Tasi" which is a biographical dictionary of notable Muslim figures.
• Imam Al-Muttaqi al-Hindi (1500-1567 CE): A scholar of Islamic law and hadith, known for his book "Kanz al-'Ummal" which is a collection of hadith from various sources organized by topic.
• Imam Muhammad al-Fasi (1571-1631 CE): A Moroccan scholar of hadith and Islamic law, known for his commentary on the hadith collection "Sunan Abi Dawud" and his book "Tashil al-I'tiqad" which is a summary of Islamic beliefs.
• Muhammad Tahir al-Fattani (1570-1641 CE): A scholar of hadith and Islamic law from Yemen, known for his commentary on the collection of hadith known as "Al-Tirmidhi".
• Shah Waliullah Dehlawi (1703-1762 CE): An Indian scholar and reformer, known for his works on hadith, Quranic exegesis, Islamic law, and Sufism. He played a significant role in the revival of Islamic scholarship in India during the 18th century.
• Imam Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab (1703-1792 CE): A Saudi Arabian Islamic scholar and theologian who founded the Wahhabi movement, which emphasizes the strict adherence to Islamic law and the rejection of any innovations in religious practices.
• Shaykh Muhammad Zakariya al-Kandahlawi (1898-1982 CE): An Indian Islamic scholar and Sufi master, known for his extensive work in the field of hadith and his book "Faza'il-e-A'maal", which is a collection of hadith on virtues and good deeds.
• Muhammad Zakariya al-Kandahlawi (1898-1982 CE): A student of Shaykh Muhammad Zakariya al-Kandahlawi, known for his work in preserving and disseminating the teachings of his teacher.
• Abdullah Yusuf Ali (1872-1953 CE): An Indian Islamic scholar and translator, known for his translation of the Quran into English, which is widely used and respected.
• Muhammad Iqbal (1877-1938 CE): A Pakistani poet, philosopher, and politician, known for his work on Islamic philosophy and his efforts towards the revival of Muslim political thought.
• Muhammad Abdul Aleem Siddiqui (1892-1956 CE): An Indian Islamic scholar and journalist, known for his work in promoting interfaith dialogue and understanding between Muslims and people of other faiths.
• Sayyid Abul Ala Maududi (1903-1979 CE): A Pakistani Islamic scholar and founder of the Jamaat-e-Islami party, known for his work in promoting Islamic revivalism and his ideas on Islamic governance.
• Muhammad Hamidullah (1908-2002 CE): An Indian Islamic scholar and diplomat, known for his work on Islamic law and his contributions to the field of Quranic translation.
• Muhammad Nasiruddin al-Albani (1914-1999 CE): An Albanian Islamic scholar and hadith expert, known for his critical analysis of hadith literature and his efforts to revive the authentic teachings of Islam.
• Shaykh Abd al-Fattah Abu Ghuddah (1917-1997 CE): A Syrian Islamic scholar and hadith expert, known for his contributions to the field of Islamic jurisprudence and his work on the science of hadith.
• Ismail al-Faruqi (1921-1986 CE): A Palestinian-American philosopher and Islamic scholar, known for his work on Islamic philosophy and his efforts towards the promotion of Islamic education and understanding.
• Yusuf al-Qaradawi (1926-2021 CE): An Egyptian Islamic scholar and theologian, known for his work in Islamic jurisprudence and his advocacy for the revival of Islamic scholarship and political thought.
• Shaykh Mustafa al-Azami (1928-2018 CE): An Indian Islamic scholar and hadith expert, known for his contributions to the field of hadith literature and his efforts towards the preservation and authentication of hadith literature.
• Seyyed Hossein Nasr (born 1933 CE): An Iranian-American philosopher and Islamic scholar, known for his work on Islamic philosophy and his efforts towards the promotion of Islamic education and understanding.