Bukhari's
collection is recognized by the overwhelming majority of the Muslim
world to be one of the most authentic collections of the Sunnah of the
Prophet (SAW).
It
is important to realize, however, that Bukhari's collection is not
complete: there are other scholars who worked as Bukhari did and
collected other authentic reports.
Bukhari
states, "There was once a time during one of our sessions when my
teacher Ishaaq Ibn Rahway remarked it would be appreciated if someone
could collect ahadith which held strong and reliable testimonials and
write them in the form of a book." This inspired Bukhari which was later
strengthened by a dream in which Bukhari met the Prophet (SAW). Upon
waking, he visited several interpreters for an appropriate
interpretation. They all answered that it meant he would in future
cleanse the Prophet (SAW) of all lies spoken by the people through
narrating misunderstood ahadith. This gave Bukhari great comfort and
strength once he started the writing of his book Al-Jame-ul-Sahih. The
complete name of the book is
˜Al-Jame-ul-Sahih-al-Musnad-min-ahaadeethe-Rasulillah Sallallahu Alaihi
Wasallam-wa-sunanihi-wa-Ayyaamihi, which means a collected version of
ahadith in the form of a book which relates to us the sayings, actions
and the life of the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam (SAW).
Bukhari
had taken great care in writing the ahadith and choosing those which
met the standards and conditions which he set to find ahadith with only
strong testimonials which included only reliable and trustworthy
testifiers. He spent 16 years in writing the book, altering it a total
of three times. Allaamah Ayni reports of Ibn Tahir's remark that Bukhari
had written Sahih Bukhari in his hometown Bukhara. Ibn Bujair however,
relates that he had started his compiling in Makkah, and some have
reported of seeing him in Basra. There is still another differing remark
made by others who comment on seeing him in Madinah to write his book.
However, we find Bukhari relating himself that he wrote Sahih Bukhari in
Masjid-e-Haraam.
Before he actually placed a hadith in his
compilation he used to perform ghusl and prayed to Allah(SWT) through
two rakah nafl prayers asking for guidance. Bukhari worked such that
only after being completely satisfied with the hadith in question did he
give it a place in his book. Due to this great care which was taken,
the people were heard to say that the ahadith which Bukhari has narrated
have been so carefully phrased and with such precision that it is felt
that Bukhari had heard the ahadith directly through the Prophet(SAW).
Abu
Zaid Marwazi reports that I was once asleep in between the ˜Black
stone' and ˜Maqaam-e-Ibrahim' when the Prophet (SAW) appeared in my
dream he stated, "O Abu Zaid! For how long shall you teach Imam Shafi's
book ? When shall you start the teaching of my book?"
I questioned, "O Prophet (SAW)! Which book is yours?" He replied, "Mohammed Ibn Ismail's Al-Jame-ul-Sahih."
Hafiz
Ibn Hajar reports that Bukhari has kept it of utmost importance to only
narrate ahadith of a strong testimonial which can be proven by the name
of the book. However, along with this Bukhari also made an effort to
explain all points which are difficult to understand, which is the
reason why he has given a plentiful host of meanings for one sentence
which may include a word that is in reality difficult to understand.
Bukhari has included within his book(s) the art of narrating ahadith
which have been divided into eight different chapters. These chapters
contain subjects which have been sub-titled and are famous for the
ingenious way in which they have been phrased.
Bukhari has
imposed conditions which all narrators and testifiers must meet before
the hadith can be selected. One condition requires that all testifiers
must have a strong memory. There are also restrictions made upon this
condition:
All the Muhadditheen who possess great knowledge of
ahadith must agree upon the testifiers... in question ability to learn
and memorize, along with his reporting techniques.
The testimonial must be complete without any missing testifiers.
If
there are two different narrators of a hadith related to them by a
Sahaabi then the hadith shall be given a high stage in rank. However, if
only one narrator can be found and the testimonial proves to be a
strong one then this shall be accepted without any doubts.
Allaamah
Nawawi relates that all scholars in Islam have agreed that Sahih
Bukhari has earnestly gained the reward of being the most authentic
after the
Ismail
the father of Bukhari had died in Bukhari's childhood, leaving him in
the care of his mother where he was nourished with love and care. At the
age of sixteen after having memorized the compiled books of Imam Waki
and Abdullah Ibn Mubarak, he performed Hajj with his elder brother and
mother. After the completion of Hajj Bukhari remained in Makkah for a
further two years and upon reaching the age of eighteen headed for
Medinah, and spent his nights next to the grave of the Prophet (SAW)
compiling the books of Qadhaayas-Sahaabah Wat-Taabieen and
Taareekhul-Kabeer with the moonlight as a means of lighting. Bukhari
traveled a great deal in order to expand his knowledge. He made two
trips to Syria and Egypt and stayed six years in Arabia. He also
happened to return to Kufa, Baghdad and Basra four times and at times
remained there for a period of five years. Also at Hajj season he used
to return to Makkah.
Bukhari
also had a vast amount of students. It has been stated that thousands
were privileged to sit in his lessons where he taught his book Shahi
Bukhari. There were travelers amongst these from all corners of the
world in order to join these pious sittings and to be honoured with a
glimpse of the knowledge that he held and which never failed to astonish
anybody.
Bukhari's
memory was considered to be inhuman, for as soon as the praying of a
hadith would finish Bukhari would repeat it orally. It has been known
that in his childhood he had memorized many ahadiths.
There
is one spectacular incident which took place in Baghdad when Bukhari
took up temporary residence there. The people having heard of his many
accomplishments, and the attributes which were issued to him, decided to
test him so as to make him prove himself to them. In order to do that
they chose one hundred different ahaadeeth and changing the testimonials
and the text of the ahaadeeth they were then recited by ten people to
Bukhari.
There
was a crowd of gathered people from within and outside the city to
witness the outcome of such a test. When the ahaadeeth were recited
Bukhari replied to all in one manner, "Not to my knowledge." However,
after the completion of all the ahaadeeth Imam Bukhari (R.A) repeated
each text and testimonial which had been changed followed by the correct
text and testimonial, such was the memory of Bukhari.
Bukhari
states himself that, "From the time of learning the prohibitions of
backbiting till now, I have refrained from such an act."
There
is also one incident when Bukhari was involved in Zohar prayers. After
completing his salaah he started to pray his Nafl. On finishing this he
turned towards his companions and lifting the bottom of his shirt said,
Is there anything inside this?" Suddenly a wasp fell out leaving 17
places which were swelling due to the violent stings of the wasp. One
companion asked why the salaah was not discontinued. He replied, "I felt
a certain pleasure from my salaah which I was reluctant to let go of."
His
abstinence was also an attribute which was incomparable and
undauntless. He had been left a considerable amount of wealth by his
father however, due to his generosity he spent it all in the path of
Allah so that at the end he had been left with no money forcing him to
spend his day on one or two almonds. He never took advantage from the
generosity of any king or ruler, although many occasions arose.
The
Governor of Bukhara made a special request for Bukhari to make daily
visits to his home in order to teach his children. Bukhari declined
stating that, "I give greater respect to knowledge rather than to
people, for it is they who are in need of the knowledge and it is they
who should seek it."
Upon
hearing this the Governor was further annoyed by Bukhari's answer and
made a second request that Bukhari make a special arrangement to teach
his children alone without anyone else being present which was also
refused by Bukhari. The Governor was infuriated by the second refusal
and ordered Bukhari out of Bukhara. The people of Samarqand hearing of
this quickly issued an invitation to Imam Bukhari to come to their town.
However, there was also a difference of opinion within the people of
Samarqand which forced Bukhari to turn towards Khartang.
It
was here that he spent the month of Ramadaan and in the month of
Shawwaal headed towards Samarqand, where death found him whilst he was
travelling. Bukhari died in the month of Shawwaal 256 A.H., at the age
of 62. (To Allah we belong and to Him we shall return.)
