Grading Lens
Compare how different scholars grade the authenticity of the same hadith
Understanding Hadith Grading
Hadith grading (Ilm al-Hadith) is the rigorous Islamic science of evaluating the authenticity of narrations attributed to the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. Scholars examine two key components: the chain of narration (isnad) — verifying that each person who transmitted the hadith is reliable and that the chain is unbroken — and the text itself (matn) — checking for contradictions with the Quran, established Sunnah, or historical facts.
This science developed in the early centuries of Islam as a safeguard against fabrication. Scholars like Imam al-Bukhari, Imam Muslim, and Imam al-Tirmidhi established systematic criteria that remain foundational. The four primary grades — Sahih, Hasan, Da'if, and Mawdu' — represent a spectrum from fully authenticated to fabricated.
The Four Primary Grades
Ṣaḥīḥ
AuthenticThe highest grade of authenticity. A hadith is classified as Sahih when its chain of narration (isnad) is unbroken, every narrator is known to be upright and precise in their transmission, and the text (matn) is free from hidden defects or irregularities. Both Sunni and Shia scholars apply this grade, though their criteria for narrator reliability may differ.
Browse Authentic Hadith →Ḥasan
GoodA hadith whose chain and text meet most criteria for authenticity, but one or more narrators may have slightly less precise memory or a minor deficiency. Hasan hadith are still used as evidence in Islamic jurisprudence. Al-Tirmidhi was the first scholar to systematically apply this intermediate grade.
Browse Good Hadith →Ḍa'īf
WeakA hadith that fails to meet the conditions of Sahih or Hasan — typically because of a break in the chain, an unreliable narrator, or a textual irregularity. Weak hadith are generally not used for deriving legal rulings, though some scholars permit their use for encouragement of good deeds (fada'il al-a'mal) under strict conditions.
Browse Weak Hadith →Mawḍūʿ
FabricatedA hadith that scholars have determined to be fabricated — invented and falsely attributed to the Prophet ﷺ. Fabricated hadith are identified through known liars in the chain of narration, anachronisms in the text, or contradictions with established Quran and authentic Sunnah. It is prohibited to transmit them except when explicitly warning that they are fabricated.
Browse Fabricated Hadith →Methodology & Consensus
Isnad Analysis
Scholars trace the chain of narration from the compiler back to the Prophet ﷺ, verifying that each narrator was alive at the right time, met the person they claim to have heard the hadith from, and was known for truthfulness and strong memory. A single weak link can downgrade the entire hadith.
Matn Examination
The text of the hadith is examined for internal consistency, alignment with the Quran, agreement with other authentic narrations, and historical plausibility. Even a hadith with a sound chain may be questioned if its content raises concerns.
Consensus Grading
When multiple scholars agree on a hadith's grade, this is noted as scholarly consensus (ijma'). The strongest consensus applies to the "Two Sahihs" — Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim — whose contents are accepted as authentic by the overwhelming majority of Sunni scholars.
Minority & Dissenting Views
Not all scholars agree on every hadith. Some narrations graded Sahih by one scholar may be graded Hasan or Da'if by another due to differences in evaluating specific narrators or weighing textual evidence. Notable cases include hadith where al-Bukhari and Muslim differ, or where later scholars like al-Albani reclassified hadith that earlier scholars accepted. These disagreements are a healthy feature of the science, not a flaw.
Sunni Hadith Collections
The Sunni tradition recognizes the "Six Major Books" (Kutub al-Sittah) as the most authoritative collections, alongside other important compilations. Click any grade to browse hadith from that collection filtered by authenticity.
Sahih al-Bukhari
صحيح البخاريThe most authentic collection of hadith, universally accepted by Sunni scholars. Contains rigorously verified narrations organized by topic.
Sahih Muslim
صحيح مسلمThe second most authentic collection. Known for its strict methodology and organized presentation of narrations.
Al-Adab al-Mufrad - The Book of Manners
الأدب المفردA standalone work by Imam al-Bukhari devoted exclusively to Islamic ethics, manners (adab), and the moral character of the believer. Compiled separately from his Sahih, it gathers narrations on topics including parents, kinship, neighbors, hospitality, speech, and conduct.
Sunan Abi Dawud
سنن أبي داودFocused on hadith related to legal rulings (fiqh). Part of the Kutub al-Sittah.
Jami' al-Tirmidhi
جامع الترمذيNotable for grading each hadith and noting scholarly opinions. Part of the Kutub al-Sittah.
Sunan al-Nasa'i
سنن النسائيKnown for its strict criteria, considered by some scholars to be second only to the Two Sahihs in authenticity.
Sunan Ibn Majah
سنن ابن ماجهThe sixth of the Kutub al-Sittah. Contains unique hadith not found in other collections.
Muwatta Malik
موطأ الإمام مالكOne of the earliest collections of hadith. Al-Shafi'i called it 'the most sound book after the Book of Allah.'
Musnad Ahmad ibn Hanbal
مسند أحمد بن حنبلOne of the largest collections, organized by narrator rather than topic. Contains hadith from over 900 companions.
Sunan al-Darimi
سنن الدارميAn early hadith collection predating several of the Kutub al-Sittah compilers.
Riyad as-Salihin
رياض الصالحينA curated compilation of authentic hadith from the major collections, focused on practical guidance for righteous living.
Mishkat al-Masabih
مشكاة المصابيحAn expanded version of Masabih al-Sunnah, adding hadith from additional sources with grading.
Bulugh al-Maram
بلوغ المرامA compilation of hadith related to jurisprudence (fiqh), with source grading from the author of Fath al-Bari.
Shama'il Muhammadiyah
الشمائل المحمديةA unique collection describing the Prophet's appearance, habits, worship, and daily life.
The Forty Hadith of Imam Nawawi
الأربعون النووية42 foundational hadith covering the core principles of Islam. One of the most memorized collections worldwide.
The Forty Hadith Qudsi
الأحاديث القدسيةSacred hadith (Hadith Qudsi) in which the Prophet reports words directly from Allah, distinct from the Quran.
The Forty Hadith of Shah Waliullah
الأربعون حديثاًA curated selection of hadith by the renowned Indian Islamic scholar and reformer.
Shi'a Hadith Collections
The Shi'a tradition has its own canonical collections known as Al-Kutub al-Arba'a (The Four Books), which draw their chains of narration through the Ahl al-Bayt (the Prophet's household). Shi'a hadith scholarship uses a similar grading framework but applies different criteria for narrator reliability.
Kitab al-Kafi
الكافيThe most important Shia hadith collection. Divided into Usul (principles), Furu (branches), and Rawda (garden).
Man La Yahduruhu al-Faqih
من لا يحضره الفقيهA practical collection intended as a reference for those without access to a jurist.
Tahdhib al-Ahkam
تهذيب الأحكامA commentary on al-Muqni'a containing hadith with detailed discussions on legal rulings.
Al-Istibsar
الاستبصارA concise companion to Tahdhib al-Ahkam, focused on reconciling apparently contradictory hadith.