The Aqsaam (Categories or divisions) of the Sunnah in respect to its Sihhah (validity and soundness) and its Da’f (weakness)
he Sunnah is divided in respect to As-Sihhah (soundness) and Ad Da’f (weakness) into three categories:
Saheeh, Hasan and Da’eef.
1 - Al-Hadeeth As-Saheeh (Sound):
This is the Hadeeth in which its Isnaad (chain) connects the transmission of the ‘Adl Ad-Daabit from the ‘Adl Ad-Daabit until its end and is not Shaadh or Mu’allal.
Al-‘Adl (the just): As-Sudooq At-Taqi (The honest person who fears Allah and obeys Him).
Ad-Daabit (the precise): Known for his astuteness and not being careless or inattentive.
Until its end: The Sanad (chain) connects to the Messenger (saw).
Not Shaadh (irregular) or without Shudhoodh (irregularity): That it does not go against the Thiqqah (a trustworthy narrator) stronger than it.
Mu’allal (defective) or without an ‘Illah (defect): That it is free of defects like the interruption of the chain.
The highest level of the Saheeh Hadeeth is that which Al-Bukhaari and Muslim have agreed upon its Sihhah (soundness) and Riwaayah (report). This is what is indicated to by the statement: ‘Saheeh Mutaffaq ‘Alaihi’ (Agreed upon). The utilisation of the Saheeh Hadeeth as an evidence or proof for the Ahkaam is considered to be from the strongest forms of Ihtijaaj (evidential usage of proof to derive Ahkaam).