在当今时代，人们已无法真正体会圣训学者（muḥaddithīn）为保存圣训所做的伟大牺牲，也无法想象他们为克服重重困难与障碍而付出的努力。正是由于这些牺牲，今天圣训（aḥādīth）的每一个词，甚至每一个字母，都得到了完整的保存。圣训学者为保存圣训而确立的规则，使这门学问成为一门独立的学科；要想深入圣训知识与圣训学原理（uṣūl al-ḥadīth），就必须学习这些规则。

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].

本小册子旨在向读者介绍圣训学的知识。书中讨论了一些重要问题,例如圣训是如何汇编的、圣训的保存、关于圣训真实性与软弱性的原则、圣训的重要性以及各类圣训书籍。书末附有若干著名圣训学者的简短传记。本小册子可视为掌握这门学科所需见解的第一步。若读者读完此书后,重新与圣训建立起联系,笔者希望这能成为作者得救的一条途径。恳请读者为作者、其父母及家人祈祷,愿真主在今世和后世赐福于他们。

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 2010年6月

Ibrahim Madani June 2010