A cikin wannan zamani ba zai yiwu a fahimci irin babbar sadaukarwar da malaman hadisi (muḥaddithūn) suka yi ba, ko kuma wahalhalu da shingayen da suka yi gwagwarmaya don shawo kansu wajen kiyaye hadisi. Saboda wadannan sadaukarwa ne a yau kowace kalma, har ma kowace harafi na aḥādīth ta samu cikakkiyar kiyayewa. Dokokin da malaman hadisi suka kafa don kiyaye hadisi, wanda ta hanyarsu wannan fanni na ilimi ya zama ilimi na musamman, suna da muhimmanci ga duk mai son koyo da ci gaba a cikin ilimin hadisi da ka'idojin hadisi (uṣūl al-ḥadīth).

It is not possible in this day and age to comprehend the great sacrifices that were made by the hadith masters [muúaddithīn] or the difficulties and barriers they struggled to overcome for the preservation of hadith. It is a result of these sacrifices that today each word, in fact each letter of the aúódõth are fully preserved. The rules the hadith masters established to preserve the hadith and by which this branch of knowledge became a distinct science are necessary for one to learn and make headway into both the knowledge of hadith and principles of hadith [uüñl al-úadīth].

Wannan ƙaramin littafi an rubuta shi ne don gabatar da mai karatu ga ilimin hadisi. Yana tattaunawa kan muhimman batutuwa kamar yadda aka tattara hadisai, kiyaye hadisi, ka'idoji game da ingancin hadisi da rauninsa, muhimmancin hadisi, da nau'o'in littattafan hadisi daban-daban. Ya kammala da takaitattun tarihin rayuwar wasu shahararrun malaman hadisi. Ana iya ɗaukar wannan littafi a matsayin mataki na farko wajen samun fahimtar da ake buƙata don ci gaba a wannan ilimi. Idan bayan karanta wannan littafi mai karatu ya ji sabuwar alaƙa da hadisi, ana fatan zai zama hanyar tsira ga marubucin. Ana roƙon masu karatu su yi wa marubucin addu'a, da iyayensa, da iyalinsa, kuma Allah ya albarkace su a duniya da lahira.

This short booklet is written to introduce the reader to the knowledge of hadith. It discusses important issues such as how the hadith were compiled, the preservation of hadith, principles regarding the authenticity and weakness in a hadith, the importance of hadith and the various types of hadith books. It ends with short biographies of some of the famous hadith masters. This booklet may be looked upon as a first step in acquiring the insight that is necessary for advancing in this science. After reading this booklet, if one feels a renewed connection with the hadith, it is hoped that it will be a way of salvation for its author. The readers are requested to pray for the author, his parents and his family and that Allah bless them in this world and the Hereafter.

Ibrahim Madani Yuni 2010

Ibrahim Madani June 2010