Katika zama hizi haiwezekani kuelewa dhabihu kubwa zilizofanywa na wanazuoni wa hadith [muḥaddithīn], wala magumu na vikwazo walivyopambana navyo kwa ajili ya kuhifadhi hadith. Ni matokeo ya dhabihu hizi ndipo leo kila neno, hata kila herufi ya aḥādīth, imehifadhiwa kikamilifu. Kanuni ambazo wanazuoni wa hadith waliziweka ili kuhifadhi hadith, na ambazo kwa hizo tawi hili la elimu likawa sayansi inayojitegemea, ni lazima mtu azijifunze ili aweze kuendelea katika elimu ya hadith na misingi ya hadith [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].

Kijitabu hiki kifupi kimeandikwa ili kumtambulisha msomaji kwa elimu ya hadith. Kinajadili masuala muhimu kama vile namna hadith zilivyokusanywa, uhifadhi wa hadith, kanuni zinazohusu usahihi na udhaifu wa hadith, umuhimu wa hadith, na aina mbalimbali za vitabu vya hadith. Kinamalizia kwa wasifu mfupi wa baadhi ya wanazuoni maarufu wa hadith. Kijitabu hiki kinaweza kuchukuliwa kuwa hatua ya kwanza katika kupata maarifa yanayohitajika ili kuendelea katika taaluma hii. Baada ya kukisoma kijitabu hiki, ikiwa mtu atahisi kuwa na uhusiano mpya na hadith, inatarajiwa kwamba kitakuwa njia ya wokovu kwa mwandishi wake. Wasomaji wanaombwa kumwombea mwandishi, wazazi wake na familia yake, na Allah awabariki duniani na Akhera.

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 Juni 2010

Ibrahim Madani June 2010