Introduction to Hadith Studies LESSON FIVE Types of Hadiths (Continued…)

Mosnad (Linked) This is a Hadith which is linked with all the narrators from the infallible (as) till the last person in the chain of narrators. Mo’aliq (Hanging) This is a Hadith in which the narrators (one or more) are deleted or removed from the chain of narrators. This was due to the lack of space in the books, but the author of these books used to mention at the end of their books the whole chain to make it short avoid repetition. Morsal (Unlinked) This is a Hadith which lacks some or all narrators in the chain are missing and not mentioned.

Types of Mosnad A. Based on the number of narrators 1 Mostafeedh (abundant): In every level of the chain there are more than 2-3 narrators. 2 Mashoor (famous): When no specified number of narrators are required in each level of narrators, and another opinion is that there is no difference between both type and that they are synonyms. Value: These types are from the Zun which requires evidence to give strength to its authenticity.

B. Based on the name of the infallible (as) Mosarah (explicit): The name of the infallible (as) is clearly mentioned Modhamar (implicit): The name of the infallible (as) is referred to by a pronoun, like “I asked him (as)”, “He (as) told me”, “He (as) said”, “I heard from him (as)” There are many such narrations that are called modhmaraat (implicits). The modhmaraat are also called maqtoo’ (disconnected) or implicit and the explicit one is also called mowsool (connected).

Factors of implication of Modhamar Taqeya (Danger): There were times where the followers could not mention the name of the infallible. The brievity or shortness: In some of the 400 Usool, if the whole book is narrated by one imam’s sayings, then they used to use pronouns to make it brief. This method is seen when the Hadiths are taken from one of these Usool and written in another book as it is then this becomes a problem and such happened.

Factors of implication of Modhamar (cont.) To make the long Hadith short, for example, if there are several questions, asked to one infallible (as), the narrator uses pronouns. So when a book is written regarding a specific topic, and a Hadith or a paragraph is taken from between of the long Hadith, then it is taken as it is, with the pronouns, due to the copyrights. Reliance on the Qareena: Some how the narrator relies on the Qareena to specify the specific infallible (as) somehow due to some circumstances the Qareena (evidence) got lost and the Hadith is full with pronouns.

It is an absolute proof if it is narrated by a trustworthy narrator. Value: There are three opinions regarding the implicit (Modhamar) narration: If this type was narrated by very well known narrators, who are a pious jurist, then it is proof, otherwise, not. It is an absolute proof if it is narrated by a trustworthy narrator. It is absolutely not a proof even if it was narrated by trustworthy.

C- Based an the status of the narrator (trustworthy or not) There are the four main principle types of linked narrations. Saheeh (correct or true), literally means truthful and applies to the reality. An Idiomatical meaning refers to that Hadith which is linked to the infallible (as) through ‘Imami just’ accurate narrator in each level of the chain. (By accurate we mean, accurate in memorizing and transmitting or passing on the narrations). Hassan (accepted): In this type of the Hadith there is one or more in the levels of the chain of narrators who is an Imami and is praised (by REJALIS) but not known to be just.

Mowasaq (entrusted): In this type of Hadith there is some one in the link who is not an Imami, but known to be a trustworthy (who has been known as a trusted person) when narrating the narrations. This type is also known to some as Qawee (strong). The description of trust on the narrator should be a trusted in the opinion of the Imamis and not in his school. Dhaef (weak): In this type none of the previous types’ description apply. That means there is some one in the link who is unknown or his status is weak.

Definitions: Just (‘Adalat): It is defined as fulfillment of the duties by performing the obligations, avoiding the forbidden acts, and abstaining from unsuitable actions. (This is the popular) Some said in narrations it is only necessary that a person does not lie and it is trusted in his words, regardless of other actions. So he must be just in transmitting the narrations at least. It is important to know whether it is said by the infallible (as) regardless of the narrative status. The difference between Hassan and Mowasaq the first is an Imamis narrations and second is non-Imamis narrations; both are trusted but not known to be just.

Words or Terms used for the types There are many words or terms used to describe the narration of each sub-category of the four types. There are many words which reflect the narrators status by his being trusted, just, known, unknown, from the followers of Ahlul-Bayt (as) or from others, or by his narrations, i.e. his narration is weak, saheeh, Hassan, or maqbool. Some meanings of words overlap, especially in the first two types. The words of weak or false Hadith narrators are very obvious such as, liar, weak, corrupted. Some of the words are explained as follows:

Extreme love for the Ahlul-Bayt (as), those who worshipped them and raised them to the level of God, in everything. Ertifa: means raising the level of Ahlul-Bayt very high, like to the level of God. Ekhtelaaf (mixing up): not accurate in memorizing and transmitting the narrations, as he hears it, so narrates it mixed up with other than the original content. Yarif wa yonkir (Knows and denies): (a) Some of his narrations are known and some are denied (conflicting with Qur'an and other considered narrations) (b) Denied narrations could be strange narrations. (c) It could mean that some of his narrations are accepted while others rejected. (d) It could mean that some of his narrations are pure and some are mixed.

Ekhtelaaf fil-Madhab (controversial in his sect): He might be from a corrupted sect, might have corrupted beliefs, and might have deviated thoughts. There are many corrupted and deviated sects from the ones who claimed to be followers of Ahlul-Bayt (as). There were: (a) 24 Khwarijites (b) 6 Sunnis (c) 3 Jabirs (d) 13 Mo’tazilas (e) 7 Shiites (f) 4 Zaidis (g) 6 Golats

Degrees of strength and weakness The more close the narrators are to the qualification of the true Hadith, the stronger the Hadith is and vice versa. For example: the praise could be the infallible (as), or one of their companions or the author of Rajaal (narrators). This kind of information is beneficial when resolving the conflict between evidences. The types of Weak Hadiths 1 Maqbool (accepted): Though they are weak, but many scholars implement them, and issue verdicts based on them. The example is maqbool Hadith of Omar ibn Hanzala saying that the judge must be an Imami jurist. In that Hadith there are two weak narrators. 2 Mardood (rejected): The weak narrations which were rejected by scholars.