ABU HURAYRAH’S ABUNDANT TRANSMISSION OF HADITH
'ILM AR-RIJAL
AL-AQA'ED RESEARCH CENTER
2 min read
Peace, mercy, and blessings of Allah be upon you
The issue of Abu Huraira’s frequent narration of prophetic hadiths was a subject of debate during his time, particularly among his contemporaries, including the Companions. This matter became so significant that he himself addressed it and responded to the criticism. Reports in both Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim document Abu Huraira’s own defense against these accusations.
In Sahih al-Bukhari, through his chain of transmission:
إنّ الناس يقولون: أكثر أبو هريرة
Al-Zuhri narrates from al-A‘raj, Sa‘id ibn al-Musayyib, and Abu Salama ibn ‘Abd al-Rahman, from Abu Huraira: “People say that Abu Huraira narrates excessively.” [1]
He also states:
إنّكم تقولون: إنّ أبا هريرة يكثر الحديث عن رسول الله (صلّى الله عليه وسلّم)
“You claim that Abu Huraira narrates many hadiths from the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him).” [2]
He further asserts:
يقولون: إنّ أبا هريرة يكثر الحديث، والله الموعد
“They say Abu Huraira narrates excessively—Our appointment will be with God.” [3]
And again:
إنّكم تزعمون أنّ أبا هريرة يكثر الحديث على رسول الله (صلّى الله عليه وسلّم) والله الموعد
“You allege that Abu Huraira attributes many hadiths to the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him)—Our appointment will be with God.” [4]
In Sahih Muslim, through his chain of transmission:
إنّكم تزعمون أنّ أبا هريرة يكثر الحديث عن رسول الله (صلّى الله عليه وسلّم) والله الموعد
Al-A‘raj narrates from Abu Huraira: “You claim that Abu Huraira narrates excessively from the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him)—Allah is my witness.” [5]
In Musnad Ahmad, through his chain of transmission:
إنّكم تزعمون أنّ أبا هريرة يكثر الحديث على إنّي رسول الله(صلّى الله عليه وسلّم)، [والله الموعد. إنّي كنت امرءاً مسكيناً ألزم رسول الله(صلّى الله عليه وسلّم) على ملء بطني]
‘Abd al-Rahman al-A‘raj narrates from Abu Huraira: “You allege that Abu Huraira narrates excessively; indeed, I was a poor man who remained in the company of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) simply to fill my stomach.” [6]
He also states:
إنّكم تقولون: أكثر أبو هريرة عن النبيّ(صلّى الله عليه وسلّم)، والله الموعد
“You claim that Abu Huraira narrates many hadiths from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him)—Allah is my witness.” [7]
May you remain under Allah’s care.
References
[1] Sahih al-Bukhari, Muhammad Al-Bukhari, Book 3, Hadith 60
[2] Sahih al-Bukhari, Muhammad Al-Bukhari, Book 34, Hadith 1
[3] Sahih al-Bukhari, Muhammad Al-Bukhari, Book 41, Hadith 28
[4] Sahih al-Bukhari, Muhammad Al-Bukhari, Book 96, Hadith 81
[5] Sahih Muslim, Muslim bin Hajjaj, Book 44, Hadith 227
[6] The Sunni Scholar Shu'ayb Al-Arna'ut has stated the following:
إسناده صحيح على شرط الشيخين
"Its chain of transmission is authentic according to the criteria of the two Shaykhs (al-Bukhari and Muslim)."
[Musnad Ahmad bin Hanbal, Ahmad bin Hanbal, Annotator: Shu'yab Al-Arnaut, Volume 12, Page 219]
[7] The Sunni Scholar Shu'ayb Al-Arna'ut has stated the following:
إسناده صحيح على شرط الشيخين
"Its chain of transmission is authentic according to the criteria of the two Shaykhs (al-Bukhari and Muslim)."
[Musnad Ahmad bin Hanbal, Ahmad bin Hanbal, Annotator: Shu'yab Al-Arnaut, Volume 13, Page 133]
The original text in Arabic can be found here
Was the issue of Abu Huraira’s extensive narration of Hadith a remarkable and unusual phenomenon in his time and among his contemporaries? Or was it a matter later raised by the Shi’a in subsequent centuries?
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