The Hadith refers to the recorded oral traditions of Prophet Muhammad's sayings, actions (Sunnah), and tacit approvals. In Sunni Islam, the Hadith serves as a foundational secondary source for jurisprudence (fiqh) alongside the Quran, forming part of the “Quran + Sunnah” principle. These traditions were compiled by scholars over centuries after Muhammad's death (632 CE), with varying degrees of authenticity. Scholars classify Hadith into categories such as *Sahih* (authentic), *Hasan* (good), and *Da'if* (weak) based on rigorous scrutiny of the chain of narrators (*isnad*) and the content (*matn*). The Zahiri School, a minor school of Sunni jurisprudence, interprets Hadith literally, rejecting reliance on opinion or analogical reasoning (*qiyas*).

Major Hadith collections include *Sahih al-Bukhari*, *Sahih Muslim*, *Sunan Ibn Majah*, and others. These compilations were systematically organized by scholars like Muhammad al-Bukhari (810-870 CE) and Muslim ibn al-Hajjaj (821-875 CE), who employed stringent criteria to authenticate the chains of transmission. The Hadith, alongside the Quran, forms the basis for legal rulings (*fiqh*) and ethical guidance in Sunni Islam. Scholars assess Hadith through methods such as *tawatur* (consensus-based authenticity, where multiple reliable narrators transmit a report) and *ahad* (isolated reports requiring stricter scrutiny). Institutions like Al-Azhar University and Dar al-Ifta have contributed to ongoing Hadith scholarship.

Digital projects, such as the Hadith Database and online repositories, have enhanced preservation and accessibility. The role of *muhaddithun* (Hadith scholars) remains crucial in verifying and grading traditions. Some scholars debate the historicity and reliability of certain Hadiths, particularly those with weak chains or conflicting reports. For a detailed history of compilation and criticism, see hadith-history.

hadith-viewpoint-sunni-islam-viewpoint: Sunni Islam regards the Hadith as central to religious practice and law, relying on authenticated collections like *Sahih al-Bukhari* and *Sahih Muslim*. hadith-viewpoint-shia-islam-viewpoint: Shia Islam rejects some Sunni Hadith collections, preferring traditions attributed to the Twelver Imams. hadith-viewpoint-zahiri-school-viewpoint: The Zahiri School advocates for literal interpretation of Hadith without analogical reasoning or juristic preference (*taqlid*). hadith-viewpoint-reformist-skeptical-viewpoint: Reformist and skeptical perspectives question the authenticity or historical accuracy of certain Hadiths, often citing methodological concerns such as late compilation (some collections were finalized centuries after Muhammad's time) and reliance on single-chain transmission (*ahad*), which critics argue introduces higher risks of error or fabrication. hadith-viewpoint-salafi-wahhabi-viewpoint: Salafi/Wahhabi thought emphasizes reliance on *Sahih* collections while minimizing lesser-known traditions.

- hadith-viewpoint-zahiri-school-interpretation-viewpoint - hadith-viewpoint-sunni-shia-comparison-viewpoint - hadith-viewpoint-sufi-spirituality-role-viewpoint

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