Pada zaman kita ini, kekurangan ilmu Islam begitu parah sehingga bahkan imam-imam di komuniti kita tidak mengenali para pakar hadis yang memegang kedudukan dalam bidang hadis, apatah lagi orang Islam biasa. Ramai yang mengaku sebagai "pakar hadis" sendiri dan yang lain yang menggelar diri mereka "ahli hadis" [ahl al-hadith] benar-benar jahil tentang nama kebanyakan kitab hadis dan biografi para pakar hadis agung yang menyusunnya. Di bawah ini ialah pengenalan ringkas tentang beberapa pakar hadis yang paling agung.

In our times, the dearth of Islamic knowledge is so severe that even the imams of our communities are not familiar with the different hadīth masters who reigned in the field of ahadith, let alone common Muslims. Many self-proclaimed “hadīth masters” and others who call themselves the “people of hadīth” [ahl al-hadith] are completely ignorant of the names of most of the hadīth books and the biographies of the great hadīth masters who compiled them. Below is a brief introduction to some of the greatest hadīth masters.

Beliau bernama Muhammad bin Isma'il dan dilahirkan di Bukhara pada 13 atau 16 Syawal, 194 H / 810 M, pada hari Jumaat selepas solat 'Asar. Ayahnya meninggal dunia sebelum beliau dilahirkan. Imam Bukhari menjadi buta semasa kecil, tetapi doa dan permohonan ibunya yang tidak henti-henti membuahkan hasil, lalu penglihatannya dikembalikan. Selepas itu, beliau terus menuntut ilmu sehingga akhir hayatnya.

He was Muhammad ibn Isma’il and was born in Bukhara on the 13 or 16 of Shawwal, 194/c 810 on Friday after ‘Asr. His father died before he was born. Imam Bukhari became blind in childhood but his mothers ardent prayers and du‘as bore their fruit, and his eyesight was returned. After this, he sought knowledge until the end of his life.

Imam Bukhari menulis banyak kitab, termasuk koleksi yang terkenal, Sahih al-Bukhari. Nama asal yang diberikan kepada Sahih al-Bukhari ialah al-Jami‘ al-Sahih al-Musnad al-Mukhtasar min Umur Rasul Allah ﷺ.

Imam Bukhari wrote many books including the renowned collection Sahih al-Bukhari. The original name given to Sahih al-Bukhari was, al-Jami‘ al-Sahih al-Musnad al-Mukhtasar min Umur Rasul Allah Salla Allahu ‘alaihi wa Sallam.

Sahih al-Bukhari diiktiraf sebagai kitab yang paling sahih selepas al-Quran, dari segi akademik dan sejarah. Imam al-Bukhari diketahui mandi dan melakukan solat istikharah44 sebelum memasukkan sebarang hadis ke dalam kitabnya. Jika beliau berasa positif selepas istikharah, beliau memasukkan hadis tersebut ke dalam kitabnya; jika tidak, beliau menolaknya. Penyusunan Sahih al-Bukhari adalah hasil penyelidikan teliti selama enam belas tahun. Pujian apakah yang dapat kita berikan kepada Imam al-Bukhari, apabila Allah (SWTH) sendiri telah mengabadikan namanya untuk generasi silam, kini dan akan datang. Maka, tanpa menambah sebarang kata lagi, kita tamatkan perbincangan mengenai kemuliaan dan ketakwaan beliau di sini.

Sahih al-Bukhari is regarded as the most authentic book after the Qur’an, academically and historically. Imam Bukhari was known to bathe and perform istikhara44 before recording any hadīth into his book. If he felt positively after the istikhara, he admitted the hadīth into his book; otherwise, he rejected it. The compilation of Sahih al-Bukhari was the fruit of sixteen years of meticulous research. What praise can we bestow on Imam Bukhari when Allah (SWTH) Himself has immortalized his name for past, present and future generations. So without mentioning another word, we lay the subject of his excellence and piety to rest.

Malangnya, salah satu fakta yang paling menyedihkan dalam sejarah Islam ialah bahawa para ulama Islam yang benar dan hamba-hamba Allah (SWTH) yang ikhlas sentiasa menderita di tangan musuh-musuh mereka. Musuh-musuh Imam Bukhari telah mengganggunya sehinggalah beliau terpaksa berdoa, "Ya Allah (SWTH), bumi ini terasa sempit bagiku walaupun ia luas. Ambillah aku ke tempat kediaman-Mu." Imam Bukhari wafat di Samarqand pada malam Hari Raya Aidilfitri tahun 256 H, bersamaan kira-kira 870 M, pada usia enam puluh dua tahun.

Unfortunately, one of the saddest facts in the history of Islam is that the true scholars of Islam and sincere servants of Allah (SWTH) always suffered at the hands of their foes. The foes of Imam Bukhari harassed him until he was forced to pray, “O Allah (SWTH), this earth has become narrow for me despite its vastness. Take me to your abode.” Imam Bukhari died in Samarqand on the eve of Eid al-Fitr in 256/c870 at the age of sixty two.

Beliau bernama Muslim bin Hajjaj, tetapi dikenali dengan gelaran kunyahnya, Abu al-Hasan. Imam Muslim dilahirkan di Naishabur, Iran, pada tahun 204H/sekitar 820M atau 206H/sekitar 822M. Walaupun beliau mengarang banyak kitab, beliau paling dikenali melalui kitabnya Sahih Muslim. Diriwayatkan bahawa Imam Muslim tidak pernah mengumpat, dan beliau tidak pernah bercakap buruk tentang sesiapa pun sepanjang hidupnya. Muslim menjadi begitu popular di kalangan para ulama hadis sehinggakan sebahagian ulama bahkan meletakkan kitabnya di atas Sahih al-Bukhari; namun, kebanyakan ulama hadis meletakkan Muslim di bawah al-Bukhari. Perlu disebutkan bahawa tajuk-tajuk bagi bab-bab kecil dalam Sahih Muslim bukanlah ditulis oleh Imam Muslim, sebaliknya oleh Imam Nawawi.

He was Muslim ibn hajjaj, but was known by his agnomen, Abu al-hasan. Imam Muslim was born in Naishabur, Iran, in either 204/c820 or 206/c822. Though he authored many books, he is most recognized for his Sahīh al-Muslim. It is said that Imam Muslim would never backbite, nor did he speak ill of anyone throughout his life. Muslim became so popular amongst the hadīth masters that some scholars actually put it above Bukhari; however, most hadīth masters rank Muslim below Bukhari. It is worth mentioning that the headings of the sub-chapters in Muslim are not written by Imam Muslim but by Imam Nawawi.

Imam Muslim wafat pada tahun 261 H/sekitar 875 M. Ramai yang berkata bahawa punca kematiannya berlaku selepas seseorang pernah bertanya kepadanya tentang sebuah hadis. Beliau begitu bersemangat untuk mencari hadis tersebut sehingga beliau terus mencarinya sebaik sahaja pulang ke rumah. Semasa menjalankan kajiannya, beliau berasa lapar, lalu beliau menyimpan sebakul kurma di sisinya. Dari semasa ke semasa beliau mengambil sebiji kurma dari bakul itu dan terus mencari hadis tersebut. Akhirnya, tanpa disedarinya, beliau memakan begitu banyak kurma sehingga ia menjadi punca kematiannya.

Imam Muslim died in 261/c875. Many say that the cause of death came after someone once asked him about a hadīth. He was so eager to find the hadīth that he searched for it immediately after returning home. During his research, he became hungry and kept a basketful of dates next to him. Every little while he picked a date from the basket and continued looking for the hadīth. Ultimately, he unknowingly ate so many dates that it became the cause of his death.

Beliau ialah Malik bin Anas bin Malik bin Abi 'Amir, dan kunyahnya ialah Abu 'Abd Allah. Beliau dilahirkan pada tahun 93 H (kira-kira 712 M) di bandar Madinah yang diberkati, dan tinggal di sana sepanjang hayatnya. Beliau dimuliakan dengan gelaran "imam negeri hijrah." Beliau luar biasa sejak lahir, kerana ibunya mengandungkannya selama tiga tahun sebelum melahirkannya. Datuk neneknya yang terdahulu ialah orang pertama dalam keluarganya yang menerima Islam. Pada ketika itu, datuk neneknya tinggal di Yaman, dan kemudian berhijrah ke Madinah.

He was Malik ibn Anas ibn Malik ibn Abi ‘Amir and his agnomen was Abu ‘Abd Allah. He was born in 93/c712 in the blessed city of Madina and lived there his entire life. He was honored with the title, “imam of the place of migration.” He was exceptional from birth as his mother bore him after carrying him in her womb for three years. His great grandfather was the first in his family to accept Islam. At the time, his great-grandfather lived in Yemen and later migrated to Madina.

Keinginan Imam Malik untuk menuntut ilmu bermula sejak usia muda. Keluarganya sangat miskin sehingga mereka pernah terpaksa membuka siling rumah mereka, mengumpulkan kayu-kayan dan menjualnya untuk terus hidup. Namun, pada masa itu Imam Malik bersungguh-sungguh mengejar ilmu agama. Beliau sangat cerdas dan dikurniakan ingatan yang luar biasa. Diriwayatkan bahawa apabila beliau membaca sesuatu, beliau tidak pernah melupakannya. Kecintaannya kepada Nabi yang Diberkati ﷺ juga amat teladan. Pada suatu ketika, semasa beliau sedang mengajar hadis, seekor kala jengking menyengatnya tujuh belas kali, namun beliau terus mengajar dan tidak berganjak dari tempatnya kerana menghormati hadis tersebut.

Imam Malik’s thirst for knowledge began at an early age. His family was so poor that that they were once forced to tear open the ceiling of their house, collect the wooden beams and sell them to survive. However, during that time Imam Malik vigorously pursued the knowledge of din. He was highly intelligent and was gifted with a photographic memory. It is said that once he read something he never forgot it. His love for the Blessed Prophet (PBUH) was also exemplary. Once, while he was teaching hadīth, a scorpion stung him seventeen times, but he continued teaching and did not move from his spot out of respect for the hadīth.

Kitabnya adalah sebuah karya agung dalam bidang hadis. Selain Musnad Imam Abī Ḥanīfah [disusun oleh Imam Abu Hanifah, sezaman dengan Imam Malik], para ulama hadis menjadikan kitabnya sebagai asas bagi segala himpunan hadis sahih. Beliau wafat pada 11 Rabiulawal tahun 179 Hijrah bersamaan kira-kira 795 Masihi, dalam usia lapan puluh enam tahun, dan dimakamkan di Jannat al-Baqi‘ di Madinah.

His book was a masterpiece on hadīth. Aside from Musnad Imam Abī hanīfa [compiled by Imam Abu hanīfa, a contemporary of Imam Malik], the hadīth masters take his book as the cornerstone of all compilations of authentic ahadith. He died on the 11th of Rabī‘ al-Awwal in 179/c795 at the age of eighty-six and was buried in Jannat al-Baqī‘ in Madina.

Beliau bernama Muhammad bin ‘Isa dan kunyahnya ialah Abu ‘Isa. Dilahirkan kira-kira pada tahun 209H/c825M, beliau berasal dari kota Tirmidh di Balkh, dan kerana itulah nisbahnya ialah Tirmidhi. Imam Tirmidhi dikurniakan ingatan yang luar biasa dan ketakwaan. Beliau menjadi buta kerana terlalu banyak menangis. Beliau termasuk antara murid Imam Bukhari yang paling disayangi, walaupun beliau mengikuti mazhab Imam Shafi‘i dalam fiqh dan tidak menerima hukum-hukum Imam Bukhari.

He was Muhammud ibn ‘ösa and his agnomen was Abu ‘ösa. Born in approximately 209/c825, he was from the city of Tirmidh in Balkh, hence his attribution, Tirmidhī. Imam Tirmidhī was blessed with an outstanding memory and piety. He became blind due to excessive weeping. He was one of the most favored students of Imam Bukhari, though he was a follower of Imam Shafi‘ī in fiqh and did not accept the rulings of Imam Bukhari.

Sebenarnya, amat menakjubkan bahawa beliau menukil pendapat semua fuqaha yang lain dalam kitabnya Sunan al-Tirmidhī, tetapi tidak pernah menukil atau bahkan menyebut gurunya Imam Bukhari. Selepas setiap hadith, Imam Tirmidhī menyatakan darjat hadith tersebut, kemudian meriwayatkan hukum-hukum yang diistinbatkan oleh para imam daripada hadith itu. Beliau sering memberikan rujukan kepada hadith-hadith lain yang berkaitan dengan topik tersebut. Mengenai kitabnya, Imam Tirmidhī berkata, "Sesiapa yang mempunyai kitab ini di dalam rumahnya, maka seolah-olah di dalam rumahnya ada Nabi ﷺ yang sedang berbicara."

In fact, it is amazing that he quotes all the other jurists in his book Sunan al-Tirmidhī, but never quotes or even mentions his teacher Imam Bukhari. After every hadīth, Imam Tirmidhī notes the grade of the hadīth and then narrates the rulings the imams derive from that hadīth. He frequently gave reference to other ahadith related to that subject. Regarding his book, Imam Tirmidhī said, “Whosoever has this book in his house has the prophet who speaks in his house.”.

Imran ibn ‘Allan berkata, “Imam Bukhari meninggal dunia dan tidak meninggalkan orang yang lebih baik daripada Abu ‘Isa dalam ilmu dan ketakwaan.” Imam Tirmidhi wafat pada tahun 279 H / sekitar 892 M.

Imran ibn ‘Allan says, “Imam Bukhari died leaving no better person behind than Abu ‘ösa in his place in knowledge and piety.” Imam Tirmidhī died in 279/c892.

Beliau ialah Sulaiman bin Ash‘ath dan gelaran kunyahnya ialah Abu Dawud. Dilahirkan pada tahun 202 H/c817 M, beliau berasal dari bandar Sīstan yang berdekatan dengan wilayah Khurasan. Seorang murid yang setia kepada Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal, Imam Abu Dawud mengikuti mazhab [aliran fiqh] gurunya. Imam Abu Dawud terkenal dengan sifat rendah diri dan kesederhanaannya. Imam Abu Hatim berkata, "Imam Abu Dawud ialah imam dunia dalam ilmunya, hafazannya dan pemeliharaannya, pemahamannya, ketakwaannya dan kebijaksanaannya." Penerimaan kitab beliau oleh umat menjadi bukti bahawa Allah (SWT) menerimanya. Imam Abu Dawud wafat pada tahun 275 H/c888 M.

He was Sulaiman ibn Ash‘ath and his agnomen was Abu Dawud. Born in 202/c817, he was from the city of Sīstan near the province of Khurasan. A devoted student of Imam Ahmad ibn hanbal, Imam Abu Dawud followed the madhhab [school] of his teacher. Imam Abu Dawud was known for his humility and simplicity. Imam Abu hatim says, “Imam Abu Dawud was the imam of the world in his knowledge, preservation and memorization, understanding, piety and his judiciousness.” Allah’s (SWTH) acceptance of his book is evidenced by its acceptance in the umma. Imam Abu Dawud died in 275/c888.

Nama beliau ialah Ahmad bin Shu‘aib bin ‘Ali al-Nisa’ī dan kunyahnya ialah Abu ‘Abd al-Rahman. Beliau adalah pedang terhunus terhadap golongan ahli bid‘ah. Diriwayatkan bahawa beliau berpuasa selang sehari sepanjang hayatnya seperti Dawud. Beliau mengikuti mazhab Imam Shafi‘ī, walaupun ada yang mengatakan beliau mengikuti mazhab Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal. Imam Nisa’ī wafat pada tahun 303 H, bersamaan kira-kira 915 M.

His name was Ahmad ibn Shu‘aib ibn ‘Ali al-Nisa’ī and his agnomen was Abu ‘Abd al-Rahman. He was an unsheathed sword against the people of innovation [bid‘a]. It is said that he fasted every other day throughout his life as Dawud did. He followed the madhhab of Imam Shafi‘ī, though others say he followed the madhhab of Imam Ahmad ibn hanbal. Imam Nisa’ī died in 303/c915.

Beliau bernama Muhammad ibn Yazīd dan gelaran kunyahnya ialah Abu ‘Abd Allah. Nama ibunya ialah Maja, dan kerana itulah beliau dikenali sebagai Ibn Maja. Beliau dilahirkan pada tahun 209 H/c. 824 M di Qazwīn, Iran. Semua pakar hadis memuji susunan hadis dalam Ibn Maja yang sangat teratur serta bebas daripada pengulangan hadis. Berbeza dengan lima kitab yang lain daripada al-Sihah al-Sitta, banyak hadis dalam Ibn Maja adalah khusus dalam kitab ini dan tidak dapat dijumpai dalam mana-mana daripada lima kitab yang lain.

He was Muhammad ibn Yazīd and his agnomen was Abu ‘Abd Allah. His mother’s name was Maja, which is how he came to be known as Ibn Maja. He was born in 209/c824 in Qazwīn, Iran. All the hadīth masters laud the superb organization of the ahadith in Ibn Maja and also that it is devoid of repetitiveness in ahadith. Unlike the other five books of al-Sihah al-Sitta, many of the ahadith in Ibn Maja are exclusive to Ibn Maja and cannot be found in any of the other five books.

Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal terkenal dengan mazhabnya. Nama beliau ialah Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Hanbal ﷺ dan kunyahnya ialah Abu ‘Abd Allah. Dilahirkan di Baghdad pada tahun 164 H/c780 M, beliau digelar “imam Ahl al-Sunnah” [Pengikut Sunnah]. Beliau seorang yang warak dan zuhud; seorang yang tidak mempedulikan dunia. Beliau dipenjarakan dan diseksa kerana menentang golongan Rasionalis [Mu‘tazilah] [yang doktrinnya menjadi akidah rasmi raja ‘Abbasiyyah pada ketika itu] mengenai persoalan sama ada al-Qur’an itu makhluk atau tidak. Beliau tabah dan sabar menanggung penganiayaan raja ‘Abbasiyyah. Melalui pengorbanan beliau, Allah (SWT) menyelamatkan umat daripada ancaman yang berbahaya. Kitab beliau, Musnad Ahmad, ialah koleksi hadith yang menarik, di mana beliau menghimpunkan lebih 40,000 hadith. Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal wafat pada tahun 241 H/c855 M.

Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal is famous for his madhhab. His name was Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn hanbal and his agnomen was Abu ‘Abd Allah. Born in Baghdad in 164/c780, he is given the title of “imam of the Ahl al-Sunna” [People of the Sunna]. He was pious and austere; one who had nothing to do with the world. He was imprisoned and tortured for challenging the Rationalists [Mu‘tazilas] [whose doctrine was the official dogma of the ‘Abbasid king at the time] on the doctrine of whether the Qur’an is a creation or not. He persevered and endured the persecutions of the ‘Abbasid king patiently. Through his sacrifices, Allah (SWTH) saved the umma from a dangerous threat. His book, Musnad Ahmad, is a fascinating collection of ahadith in which he compiled over 40,000 ahadith. Imam Ahmad ibn hanbal passed away in 241/c855.

Beliau ialah ‘Abd Allah ibn ‘Abd al-Rahman al-Darimī dan kunyahnya ialah Abu Muhammad. Beliau dilahirkan pada tahun 181 H/c797 M di Samarqand. Imam Muslim dan Imam Nisa’ī kedua-duanya merupakan murid beliau. Kitabnya, Sunan al-Darimī, merupakan salah satu kitab hadith yang paling penting. Beliau wafat pada tahun 255 H/c869 M.

He was ‘Abd Allah ibn ‘Abd al-Rahman al-Darimī and his agnomen was Abu Muhammad. Born in 181/c797 in Samarqand, Imam Muslim and Imam Nisa’ī were both his students. His book, Sunan al-Darimī, is one of the most important books of hadīth. He passed away in 255/c869.

Beliau ialah Ahmad bin Husain Baihaqi dan kunyahnya ialah Abu Bakr. Beliau dilahirkan pada tahun 384 H/c 994 M dan menulis banyak kitab besar, yang paling masyhur ialah Sunan al-Baihaqi. Beliau mengikuti mazhab Syafi‘i dalam fiqh. Beliau wafat pada tahun 456 H/c 1064 M di Naishabur, Iran.

He was Ahmad ibn husain Baihaqī and his agnomen was Abu Bakr. He was born in 384/c994 and authored many great books, the most acclaimed being Sunan al-Baihaqī. He followed the Shafi‘ī school of fiqh. He died in 456/c1064 in Naishabur, Iran.

Beliau bernama ‘Abd al-Rahman ibn ‘Ali dan kunyahnya ialah Abu al-Faraj, namun beliau terkenal dengan nama Ibn al-Jauzī. Beliau dilahirkan pada tahun 517 H, bersamaan kira-kira 1123 M, di Baghdad. Beliau seorang yang mahir dalam pelbagai bidang ilmu-ilmu Islam dan dikurniakan kecerdasan akal yang tajam. Antara karya beliau yang terkenal ialah himpunan hadis-hadis palsu, walaupun beliau keras dalam menilai hadis-hadis. Imam Ibn al-Jauzī kembali ke rahmatullah pada tahun 597 H, bersamaan kira-kira 1200 M.

He was ‘Abd al-Rahman ibn ‘Ali and his agnomen was Abu al- Faraj, though he became famous by the name Ibn al-Jauzī. He was born in 517/c1123 in Baghdad. He was a master in many of the different fields of Islamic sciences and was blessed with a penetrating intellect. Amongst his famous works is his collection of fabricated ahadith, though he was harsh in his judgment of the ahadith. Imam Ibn Jauzī passed away in 597/c1200.

Beliau dilahirkan pada tahun 544 H / 1149 M di sebuah pulau bernama Ibn ‘Umar di tebing Sungai Tigris. Beliau menulis banyak kitab dalam bidang hadis. Al-Nihaya fī Gharīb al-hadīth ialah sebuah kitab yang sangat baik dalam lima jilid, manakala kitab yang masyhur, Jami‘ al-Usul, ialah himpunan hadis daripada Bukhari, Muslim, Abu Dawud, Muwatta’ dan Nisa’ī, yang terdiri daripada dua belas jilid. Beliau sangat disukai oleh raja dan para menterinya kerana kebolehannya membuat keputusan serta ilmunya yang luas, dan mereka sering merujuk kepadanya dalam perkara-perkara penting. Menjelang akhir hayatnya, beliau menjadi lumpuh. Raja dan para menterinya mengawasi rawatannya, tetapi tiada apa yang membantu. Seorang lelaki datang kepadanya dan berkata, “Rawatan saya sentiasa berjaya; tuan boleh membayar saya selepas tuan sembuh.” Lelaki itu pun mula merawat syeikh tersebut, dan beliau benar-benar mula menunjukkan tanda-tanda pemulihan.

He was born in 544/c1149 on the island of Ibn ‘Umar along the bank of the Tigris River. He wrote many books on the subject of ahadith. Al-Nihaya fī Gharīb al-hadīth is an excellent book in five volumes while the famous, Jami‘ al-Usul is a collection of ahadith from Bukhari, Muslim, Abu Dawud, Muwatta’ and Nisa’ī which consists of twelve volumes. Highly favored by the king and his ministers for his decision-making capabilities and for his vast store of knowledge, he was often consulted by them on important matters. He became paralyzed near the end of his life. The king and his ministers oversaw his treatment, but nothing helped. One man came to him and said, “My treatment always works; you can pay me after you recover.” He began treating the shaikh, who indeed began showing signs of recovery.

Ibn al-Athīr berkata kepada saudaranya ‘Izz al-Dīn, “Bayarlah lelaki ini dan lepaskan dia pergi.”

‘Ibn al-Athīr told his brother ‘Izz al-Dīn, “Pay this man and send him off.”.

Saudaranya menjawab dengan terkejut, "Tetapi rawatannya berhasil dan kamu sedang beransur pulih."

His brother replied in suprise, “but his treatment is working and you are recovering.”.

Ibnu al-Athīr menjawab, "Inilah sebabnya saya tidak mahu dirawat olehnya. Jika saya sembuh, saya akan terpaksa menziarahi istana raja dan rakyatnya. Sekarang, sekurang-kurangnya saya boleh duduk dan melakukan ibadat saya, sementara mereka yang datang menziarahi saya." Selepas itu, rawatannya terhenti dan beliau meninggal dunia pada tahun 606H/c1209M pada usia enam puluh dua tahun.

Ibn al-Athīr replied, “This is why I don’t want to be treated by him. If I recuperate, I will have to pay visits to the courts of the king and his subjects. Right now, I can at least sit and perform my worship while they come to visit me.” After that, his treatment was cut short and he passed away in 606/c1209 at the age of sixty-two.

Beliau ialah Ahmad bin 'Ali bin Muhammad dan kunyahnya ialah Abu al-Faðl. Beliau dikenali sebagai Ibnu Hajar kerana beliau dilahirkan dalam kalangan kabilah Hajar. Beliau dilahirkan pada 22 Sya'ban 773H, bersamaan dengan kira-kira 1372M, di Mesir, walaupun keluarganya asalnya berasal dari 'Asqalan, sebuah bandar di Palestin. Beliau menjadi yatim pada usia muda, dan selepas menghafal al-Qur'an, beliau mempelajari hadis bersama Zain al-Din 'Iraqi selama sepuluh tahun. Dalam tempoh yang singkat ini, beliau membina asas yang kukuh dalam pelbagai bidang ilmu hadis.

He was Ahmad ibn ‘Ali ibn Muhammad and his agnomen was Abu al-Faðl. He is known as Ibn hajar as he was born into the tribe of hajar. He was born on the 22nd of Sha‘ban, 773/c1372 in Egypt, though his family was originally from ‘Asqalan, a town in Palestine. Orphaned at a young age, after memorization of Qur’an, he studied ahadith with Zain al-Dīn ‘Iraqī for ten years. In this brief time, he developed a solid foundation in the different fields of ahadīth.

Kitab syarahan beliau terhadap Bukhari, Fath al-Barī, tidak memerlukan pengenalan. Karyanya dalam bidang hadis sangat diperlukan, dan atas sebab itu gelaran hafiz menjadi kekal melekat pada namanya. Akhirnya, beliau dikenali di kalangan umat sebagai hafiz al-hadis.

His commentary of Bukhari, Fath al-Barī, needs no introduction. His work on ahadith was indispensable and for that reason the title hafiþ became permanently fixed to his name. Eventually, he became known as hafiþ al-hadīth in the umma.

Beliau seorang pembaca yang tekun dan pantas, menamatkan Sahih Muslim dalam masa dua setengah hari. Pada suatu ketika, beliau menamatkan kitab hadis tiga jilid, al-Mu‘jam al-Saghīr, antara waktu zuhur dan asar. Beliau adalah pengikut mazhab Syafi‘i. Beliau meninggal dunia pada 28 Zulhijjah 852 H/c.1449 M di Kaherah, pada usia tujuh puluh sembilan tahun.

He was an avid and fast reader, finishing Muslim in two and a half days. Once, he finished the three-volume hadīth book, al-Mu‘jam al-Saghīr between þuhr and asr. He was a follower of the Shafi‘ī school. He passed away on the 28 of Dhu al-hijja, 852/c1449 in Cairo at the age of seventy-nine.

Nama penuhnya ialah ‘Abd al-‘Aþīm ibn ‘Abd al-Qawīyy ibn ‘Abd Allah dan kunyahnya ialah Abu Muhammad. Nenek moyangnya berhijrah dari Syria, tetapi beliau dilahirkan pada tahun 581H/sekitar 1186M di Mesir. “Tiada seorang pun yang dapat menandingi al-Mundhirī dalam hafalan hadis pada zamannya,” tulis al-Dhahabī.

His full name was ‘Abd al-‘Aþīm ibn ‘Abd al-Qawīyy ibn ‘Abd Allah and his agnomen was Abu Muhammad. His forefathers migrated from Syria, but he was born in 581/c1186 in Egypt. “Nobody could beat Mundhirī in memorization of ahadith in his time,” wrote Dhahabī.

Mundhirī menulis banyak kitab, termasuk karya yang luar biasa, al-Targhīb wa al-Tarhīb. Walaupun terkenal dengan ketakwaan dan keutuhan peribadinya, beliau paling masyhur kerana sikap zuhudnya. Dalam kitabnya, al-Targhīb wa al-Tarhīb, beliau mengkhaskan satu bab penuh kepada kepentingan zuhud. Beliau memberi tajuk bab itu, “al-Targhīb fi al-Zuhd fi al-Dunya wa al-Akfa’ minha bi al-Qalīl” [“Galakan Terhadap Zuhud dari Dunia Materi dan Berpuas Hati dengan Sedikit”].

Mundhirī wrote many books, including the outstanding work al- Targhīb wa al-Tarhīb. Though renowned for his piety and integrity, he was most famous for his abstinence. In his book, al-Targhīb wa al-Tarhīb, he devoted a whole chapter to the importance of abstinence. He titles the chapter, “al-Targhīb fi al-Zuhd fi al-Dunya wa al-Akfa’ minha bi al-Qalīl” [“Exhortation Towards Abstinence from the Material World and to be Content with Little”].

Beliau menghimpunkan 160 hadith di bawah bab ini; tiada bab lain dalam kitab tersebut yang mengandungi begitu banyak hadith. "Sekiranya kami hendak menulis biografi para salaf, kami mudah sahaja boleh menghasilkan beberapa jilid, tetapi itu bukan tujuan kitab ini. Kami menulis sebanyak ini hanya untuk mendapatkan keberkatan." Mundhirī meninggal dunia pada tahun 657H/c1259M di Mesir.

He compiled 160 ahadith under this chapter; no other chapter in the book contained so many ahadith. “If we were to write the biographies of the predecessors [salaf], we could easily produce a few volumes, but this is not the objective of this book. We wrote this much only for blessing.” Mundhirī passed away in 657/c1259 in Egypt.

Beliau ialah Sulaiman bin Dawud bin al-Jarud al-Tayalasi dan gelaran kuniahnya ialah Abu Dawud. Beliau dilahirkan pada tahun 136H/c754M. Nisbah al-Tayalasi beliau berasal daripada perniagaan keluarganya, iaitu menjual syal [tailasan]. Nenek moyangnya berketurunan dari Parsi dan pernah dijual sebagai hamba di Arab, tetapi kemudiannya dibebaskan. Imam Abu Dawud al-Tayalasi sendiri berasal dari Basrah, Iraq. Pada zaman itu, Basrah dan Kufah merupakan pusat ilmu pengetahuan, maka beliau mendalami ilmu agama sejak usia muda. Ingatannya yang tajam merupakan kelebihan besar dalam pengajian hadis. Murid kesayangan ahli hadis yang termasyhur, Shu‘ba, Abu Dawud al-Tayalasi kemudiannya menggantikan tempat gurunya. Kitabnya, Sunan Abi Dawud al-Tayalasi, merupakan salah sebuah kitab hadis yang paling terkenal. Beliau adalah pengikut mazhab Hanafi. Beliau meninggal dunia pada tahun 203H/c819M atau 204H/c820M.

He was Sulaiman ibn Dawu ibn al-Jarud al-Tayalasī and his agnomen was Abu Dawud. He was born in 136/c754. His attribution al-Tayalasī comes from the family business of selling shawls [tailasan]. His forefathers descended from Persia and were sold as slaves in Arabia, but were later freed. Imam Abu Dawud al-Tayalasī himself was from Basra, Iraq. During those times, Basra and Kufa were centers of learning and so he became learned in the knowledge of din from an early age. His sharp memory was a major asset in the study of ahadith. A favorite student of the renowned hadīth master Shu‘ba, Abu Dawud al-Tayalasī later took his teacher’s place. His book, Sunan Abī Dawud al-Tayalasī, is one of the most famous books of hadīth. He was a follower of the hanafī madhhab. He passed away in 203/c819 or 204/c820.

Beliau ialah Husain bin Mas‘ud bin Muhammad al-Farra’ al-Baghawī dan kunyahnya ialah Abu Muhammad. Beliau dilahirkan pada tahun 433 H / kira-kira 1041 M. Orang ramai mengenalinya sebagai Muhiyy al-Sunna [Penghidup Sunnah-sunnah]. Beliau menulis banyak kitab, yang paling terkenal antaranya ialah Sharh al-Sunna. Ketika beliau menulis Sharh al-Sunna, Nabi yang diberkati ﷺ muncul dalam mimpinya dan bersabda, "Semoga Allah (SWT) memanjangkan umurmu sebagaimana engkau menghidupkan Sunnahku." Kitab terkenal beliau yang lain ialah Masabīh al-Sunna, yang merupakan teks utama bagi Mishkat al-Masabīh. Tafsir beliau terhadap al-Quran, Ma‘alim al-Tanzīl, ditulis dengan sangat indah. Beliau mengikut mazhab Shafi‘ī. Beliau wafat pada tahun 516 H / kira-kira 1122 M.

He was Husain ibn Mas‘ud ibn Muhammad al-Farra’ al-Baghawī and his agnomen was Abu Muhammad. He was born in 433/ c1041. People knew him as Muhiyy al-Sunna [Reviver of the Sunnas]. He wrote many books, the most well-known of them, Sharh al-Sunna. When he wrote Sharh al-Sunna, the Blessed Prophet (PBUH) appeared in his dream and said, “May Allah (SWTH) keep you alive the way you revived my Sunna.” His other famous book is Masabīh al-Sunna, which is the main text of Mishkat al-Masabīh. His exegesis of the Qur’an, Ma‘alim al-Tanzīl is beautifully written. He was a follower of the Shafi‘ī madhhab. He passed away in 516/c1122.

Nama beliau ialah ‘Abd al-Rahman bin al-Kamal Abī Bakr, dan kunyahnya ialah Abu al-Fadl. Beliau dilahirkan pada tahun 849 H / lebih kurang 1445 M; ibunya meninggal dunia ketika melahirkannya. Beliau alim dalam pelbagai disiplin dan bidang ilmu, dan telah menulis lebih daripada enam ratus buah kitab. Beliau bermazhab Shafi‘i. Jalal al-Din Suyuti wafat pada tahun 911 H / lebih kurang 1505 M di Mesir.

He was ‘Abd al-Rahman ibn al-Kamal Abī Bakr and his agnomen was Abu al-Fadl. He was born in 849/c1445; his mother died during childbirth. Learned in various disciplines and fields, he authored over six hundred books. He followed the Shafi‘ī madhhab. Jalal al-Dīn Suyutī passed away in 911/c1505 in Egypt.

Beliau ialah ‘Ali ibn Sultan Muhammad al-Qarī dan kunyahnya ialah Abu al-Hasan. Beliau dilahirkan di Herat, sebuah bandar di utara Afghanistan. Ketika Sultan Isma’īl Safawī [seorang fanatik Syiah] menyerang Herat dan membunuh orang Islam tanpa belas kasihan, Mulla ‘Ali Qarī berhijrah ke Makkah dan menetap di sana. Beliau mula-mula mempelajari tajwid al-Qur’an dan dengan cepat menguasai ilmu tersebut sehingga menjadi pakar dalam bacaan al-Qur’an. Tidak lama selepas itu, beliau mula mempelajari ilmu hadith. Beliau menulis banyak kitab, antaranya Mirqat al-Mafatīh, sebuah syarah yang cemerlang terhadap kitab hadith al-Mishkat al-Masabīh, dan dikenali sebagai syarah hadith terbaik. Ramai ulama mengakui beliau sebagai mujaddid abad ke-10. Beliau pengikut mazhab Hanafī. Mulla ‘Ali Qarī wafat di Makkah pada bulan Syawal 1114H/sekitar 1702M, dan dikebumikan di perkuburan utama Makkah, Jannat al-Mu‘alla.

He was ‘Ali ibn Sultan Muhammad al-Qarī and his agnomen was Abu al-Hasan. He was born in Herat, a northern city of Afghanistan. When Sultan Isma’īl Safawī [a fanatic shiite] sacked Herat and killed the Muslims mercilessly, Mulla ‘Ali Qarī migrated to Makka and settled there. He first learned pronunciation [tajwīd] of Qur’an and quickly mastered the discipline until he became an expert in recitation of Qur’an. Soon after, he began studying the science of ahadith. He wrote many books, including Mirqat al- Mafatīh, a brilliant commentary of the hadīth book al-Mishkat al- Masabīh, and reputed to be the best commentary of hadīth. Many scholars acknowledge him as the revivalist [mujaddid] of the 10th century. He was a follower of the Hanafī madhhab. Mulla ‘Ali Qarī died in Makka in Shawwal 1114/c1702, and was buried in the main cemetery of Makka, Jannat al-Mu‘alla.

Nama penuhnya ialah Ahmad bin Muhammad bin Salamah al-Tahawi dan kunyahnya ialah Abu Ja‘far. Nama Tahawi berasal daripada Taha, sebuah kampung kecil di pinggir Kaherah. Beliau dilahirkan pada tahun 229 H / c. 843 M. Dua antara kitabnya yang paling masyhur ialah Sharh Ma‘ani al-Athar dan Mushkil al-Athar. Menurut Ibn Hazm, kedua-dua kitab ini lebih sahih daripada Muwatta' Imam Malik. Imam al-Tahawi mengikuti mazhab Hanafi. Beliau meninggal dunia pada tahun 321 H / c. 933 M.

His full name was Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Salama al-Tahawī and his agnomen was Abu Ja‘far. The name Tahawī comes from Taha, a small village on the outskirts of Cairo. He was born in 229/ c843. Two of his most renowned books are Sharh Ma‘anī al-ôthar and Mushkil al-ôthar. According to Ibn Hazm, these two books are more authentic than the Muwatta’ of Imam Malik. Imam Tahawī followed the Hanafī madhhab. He passed away in 321/c933.

Beliau ialah Yahya bin Sharaf al-Nawawi. Beliau dilahirkan pada bulan Muharram, tahun 631 H / sekitar 1233 M, di Nawa, sebuah bandar kecil berhampiran Damsyik. Sejak awal kehidupannya, beliau sudah menunjukkan tanda-tanda zuhud dan kurang berminat dengan permainan serta hiburan, lebih suka menghabiskan masanya dengan membaca al-Qur'an. Syeikh Yasin pernah berkata tentang beliau, "Saya melihatnya ketika dia berusia sepuluh tahun. Beberapa kanak-kanak mengajaknya datang bermain bersama mereka, tetapi dia lari daripada mereka dan menangis kerana dia mahu membaca al-Qur'an." Syeikh Yasin kemudian menjadi mursyid (guru rohaninya).

He was Yahya ibn Sharaf al-Nawawī. He was born in Muharram, 631/c1233 in Nawa, a small town near Damascus. He showed signs of abstinence early on in life and had little interest in play and games, preferring to spend his time reciting Qur’an. Shaikh Yasīn said of him, “I saw him when he was ten. Some children urged him to come and play with them, but he ran from them and cried because he wanted to recite the Qur’an.” Shaikh Yasīn later became his spiritual mentor [murshid].

Bapa Imam Nawawī mendudukkannya di kedainya, tetapi Imam Nawawī menghabiskan seluruh masanya di sana dengan membaca Al-Qur'an. Dia hanya makan sekali pada waktu siang dan sekali pada waktu malam, dan sebahagian besar malamnya dihabiskan dengan beribadah. Banyak kitabnya segera mendapat sambutan dan terbukti menjadi aset yang sangat diperlukan oleh umat. Kitabnya yang terkenal, Riyadh al-Salihīn, dipuji kerana pemilihan hadisnya yang diilhamkan, dan ia kekal sebagai salah satu kitab hadis yang paling banyak dibaca sehingga hari ini. Dua lagi kitabnya, Sharh al-Muhdhdhab dan Sharh al-Muslim, juga dialu-alukan oleh umat. Sebagai pengikut mazhab Shafi‘ī, Imam Nawawī wafat pada tahun 676H, bersamaan kira-kira 1277M.

Imam Nawawī’s father sat him in his shop, but Imam Nawawī occupied all his time there reciting Qur’an. He ate only once during the day and once at night, and spent most of his nights in worship. Many of his books were instant successes and proved to be indispensable assets for the umma. His famous book Riyadh al-Salihīn was acclaimed for its inspired selection of ahadith, and is one of the most widely read books of hadīth to this day. Two other books, Sharh al-Muhdhdhab and Sharh al-Muslim also were hailed by the umma. A follower of the Shafi‘ī madhhab, Imam Nawawī passed away in 676/c1277.

Nama gelarannya ialah Abu ‘Abd al-Rahman dan beliau dilahirkan pada tahun 118H / c736M. Ibu bapanya adalah hamba dari Turkmenistan yang kemudiannya dibebaskan. Beliau kaya dan hidup dengan boros, sehinggalah Allah (SWT) mengurniakan kepadanya hidayah. Apabila beliau mendekati agama, beliau menjadi “pemimpin orang-orang beriman” [amīr al-mu’minīn] dalam bidang hadith. Guru Imam Bukhari, Ibn Mahdī, pernah berkata, “Jika Ibn Mubarak tidak mengetahui sesuatu hadith, maka kita juga tidak mengetahuinya.” Ini menunjukkan bahawa Ibn Mubarak telah menghafal semua hadith dan oleh itu beliau disenaraikan di kalangan para huffaz hadith. Orang-orang tua dan warak berkumpul di rumahnya dan memperoleh keberkatan serta manfaat daripada ceramahnya.

His agnomen was Abu ‘Abd al-Rahman and he was born in 118/ c736. His parents were slaves from Turkmenistan who were later freed. He was rich and lived extravagantly, until Allah (PBUH) blessed him with guidance. When he came towards din, he became the “leader of the believers” [amīr al-mu’minīn] of hadīth. Imam Bukhari’s teacher Ibn Mahdī once said, “If Ibn Mubarak doesn’t know a hadīth, we don’t know it either.” This implies that Ibn Mubarak had memorized all the ahadith and is thus ranked amongst the hafiþ of hadīth. The elderly and pious gathered at his house and derived blessings and benefit from his talks.

Sufyan Thaurī pernah berkata, “Aku berharap satu tahun dalam hidupku dapat menjadi seperti tahun-tahun ‘Abd Allah ibn Mubarak. Aku berusaha untuk menjadi seperti dia, tetapi aku tidak mampu melebihi tiga hari.” Pada suatu ketika, raja Harun al-Rashīd sedang berada di al-Riqa, dan ‘Abd Allah ibn Mubarak kebetulan juga berada di sana. Orang ramai memenuhi jalan-jalan untuk melihat ‘Abd Allah ibn Mubarak. Salah seorang hamba perempuan raja datang melalui balkoni istana.

Sufyan Thaurī once said, “I wish that one year of my life could be like ‘Abd Allah ibn Mubarak’s. I strive to be like him, but I cannot go beyond three days.” Once, the king Harun al-Rashīd was staying at al-Riqa and ‘Abd Allah ibn Mubarak happened to be there also. Crowds of people filled the streets to see ‘Abd Allah ibn Mubarak. One of the King’s slave girls came by the balcony of the palace.

"Apa yang sedang berlaku?" tanyanya.

“What is going on?” She asked.

"Abd Allah ibn Mubarak ada di sini," itulah jawapannya.

“Abd Allah ibn Mubarak is here,” was the reply.

Dia berkata, "Inilah kerajaan yang sebenarnya; Harun al-Rashīd mesti berarak melalui jalan-jalan untuk memenuhinya dengan orang ramai seperti ini.

She said, “This is the real kingship; Harun al-Rashīd must parade through the streets to fill it with such crowds.

Gelaran (kunyah) beliau ialah Abu Sufyan dan beliau dilahirkan pada tahun 129H/c746M. Beliau ialah guru, atau guru kepada guru, bagi semua pengarang al-Sihah al-Sitta. Seorang pakar hadith dan faqih yang masyhur, beliau juga terkenal dengan kewarakan dan taqwanya, dan membaca satu Al-Qur'an penuh setiap malam. Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal berbangga kerana menjadi muridnya. Apabila beliau meriwayatkan sesuatu hadith daripada [Wakī‘ ibn al-Jarrah], beliau akan berkata, "Aku meriwayatkan hadith ini daripada seorang yang tidak pernah kamu lihat seumur hidup kamu." Beliau seorang pengikut yang tekun mazhab Hanafi dan menjalani hidupnya mengikut hukum-hukum Imam Abu Hanifah. Beliau wafat pada tahun 198H/c813M.

His agnomen was Abu Sufyan and he was born in 129/c746. He was the teacher or teachers’ teacher of all the authors of the al-Sihah al-Sitta. A renowned hadīth master and jurist, he was also famous for his piety and taqwa, reciting one whole Qur’an every night. Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal prided himself on being his student. If he ever narrated a hadīth from him [Wakī‘ ibn al- Jarrah] he would say, “I am narrating this hadīth from the likes of a person you have never seen in your lives.” He was a ardent follower of the Hanafī madhhab and lived his life by the rulings of Imam Abu Hanīfa. He died in 198/c813.

Kunyahnya ialah Abu Sa‘īd. Beliau seorang pakar dalam bidang biografi perawi hadith. Beliau ialah guru kepada Imam Ahmad dan ‘Ali ibn Madīnī. Beliau membaca satu al-Qur’an setiap malam selama dua puluh tahun dan tidak pernah tertinggal solat berjemaah. Riwayat-riwayat beliau terdapat dalam semua enam kitab hadith. Dhahabī berkata bahawa Yahya ibn Sa‘īd adalah orang pertama yang menulis dalam bidang biografi perawi hadith. Dalam fiqh, beliau mengikut mazhab Imam Abu Hanīfah. Beliau wafat pada tahun 198H bersamaan c813M di Basrah.

His agnomen was Abu Sa‘īd. He was an expert in the field of the biography of the narrators of hadīth. He was the teacher of Imam Ahmad and ‘Ali ibn Madīnī. He recited one Qur’an every night for twenty years and never missed the congregational salat. His narrations are found in all the six books of hadīth. Dhahabī said that Yahya ibn Sa‘īd was the first to write on the field of biography of the narrators of hadīth. In fiqh, he was a follower of Imam Abu Hanīfa. He died in 198/c813 in Basra.

Beliau ialah Mahmud bin Ahmad bin Musa al-‘Ainī, dan gelaran kuniyahnya ialah Abu Muhammad. Beliau dilahirkan pada 17 Ramadan 762H/c1361M di sebuah tempat bernama ‘Ain Tab, yang berdekatan dengan Halb [Aleppo, Syria]. Beliau seorang penganut mazhab Hanafi, seorang ulama fiqh, hadis dan sejarah. Walaupun menulis banyak kitab, beliau paling terkenal dengan syarahnya terhadap Bukhari, ‘Umdat al-Qarī. Kitab ini sangat dipuji oleh para ulama. Beliau wafat pada 4 Zulhijah 855H/c1451M ketika berusia sembilan puluh tiga tahun.

He was Mahmud ibn Ahmad ibn Musa al-‘Ainī, and his agnomen was Abu Muhammad. He was born on the 17 of Ramadan, 762/c1361 at a place called ‘Ain Tab, which is close to Halb [Aleppo, Syria]. A follower of the Hanafī madhhab, he was a scholar of fiqh, hadīth and history. Though he wrote many books, he is best known for his commentary of Bukhari, ‘Umdat al-Qarī. This book is highly commended by the scholars. He died on the 4th of Dhu al-Hijja, 855/c1451 at the age of ninety three.

Nama beliau ialah ‘Abd Allah bin Muhammad bin Ibrahim, dan kunyah beliau ialah Abu Bakr. Beliau ialah guru Imam Bukhari, Muslim, Abu Dawud dan ramai lagi ulama hadith yang terkemuka; riwayat beliau terdapat dalam semua kitab mereka. Karya beliau yang paling terkenal ialah al-Musannaf, yang tersendiri dengan banyak keistimewaannya. Ia menghimpunkan hadith-hadith mengenai setiap hukum Syari‘ah dan memuatkan semua riwayat para sahabat. Mengenai ingatan Ibn Abi Shaiba yang luar biasa, Imam Abu Zur‘ah al-Razi pernah berkata, “Aku belum pernah melihat seorang hafiz hadith yang setara dengannya.” Ibn Abi Shaiba wafat pada tahun 235 H, bersamaan kira-kira 850 M.

He was ‘Abd Allah ibn Muhammad ibn Ibrahīm, and his agnomen was Abu Bakr. He was the teacher of Imam Bukharī, Muslim, Abu Dawud and many other accomplished ahadīth masters; his narrations can be found in all of their books. His most notable piece of work is the al-Musannaf, which is distinctive in many ways. It compiles ahadith on every Shari‘a ruling and incorporates all the narrations of the Sahaba. Speaking on Ibn Abī Shaiba’s extraordinary memory, Imam Abu Zur‘a al-Razī once said, “I have not seen a hafiz of hadīth who equals him.” Ibn Abī Shaiba died in 235/c850.