Kutub al-Sittah
Introduction
The Six Books (Arabic: الكتب الستة) are the six canonical collections of hadith literature accepted by Sunni Muslims. These collections form the basis of jurisprudence in the Sunni Islamic tradition, alongside the Quran. The term "Kutub al-Sittah" translates to "The Six Books" in English.
Origin and Significance
The Kutub al-Sittah was compiled during the third century of the Islamic calendar (9th century CE) by six scholars. These scholars were Muhammad al-Bukhari, Muslim ibn al-Hajjaj, Abu Dawood, Al-Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah, and An-Nasa'i. Each of these scholars has a collection named after them, which together form the Kutub al-Sittah.
The Kutub al-Sittah holds a significant place in Sunni Islam as it contains the sayings, actions, and approvals of the Prophet Muhammad. These hadiths serve as a source of Islamic law, ethics, and theology, supplementing the Quran.
The Six Books
The Six Books that comprise the Kutub al-Sittah are:
Sahih al-Bukhari
Sahih al-Bukhari is considered the most authentic book after the Quran. Compiled by Muhammad al-Bukhari, it contains about 7,275 hadiths (including repeated narrations).
Sahih Muslim
Sahih Muslim is the second most authentic hadith collection. Compiled by Muslim ibn al-Hajjaj, it contains about 12,000 hadiths.
Sunan Abu Dawood
Sunan Abu Dawood was compiled by Abu Dawood and contains approximately 5,274 hadiths.
Jami` at-Tirmidhi
Jami` at-Tirmidhi, compiled by Al-Tirmidhi, is known for its categorization of hadiths into three types: authentic, good, and weak.
Sunan ibn Majah
Sunan ibn Majah, compiled by Ibn Majah, contains about 4,341 hadiths.
Sunan an-Nasa'i
Sunan an-Nasa'i, compiled by An-Nasa'i, contains about 5,761 hadiths.
Criticism and Acceptance
While the Kutub al-Sittah is widely accepted among Sunni Muslims, it has faced criticism, primarily from Shia Muslims and Quranists. Shia Muslims have their own collections of hadiths, while Quranists reject the authority of hadiths altogether.
Despite these criticisms, the Kutub al-Sittah remains a central text in Sunni Islam, providing guidance on a wide range of religious, social, and personal matters.