Be vigilant

It is a very grave mistake to say that the proof of a Mas'ala must necessarily be found in Bukhari and Muslim as Bukhari and Muslim were compiled much later after the 4 Imaams. It is to be noted that these 4 Imaams were the Muhadditheen of great calibre and had a very deep knowledge of the Qur'an-e-Kareem. So, if we do not find a Hadith on a certain Mas'ala in Bukhari and Muslim, it does not mean that there is no proof as these 4 Imaams do not depend on those who came after them. It is rather the opposite. That is, those who came after, depend on these 4 great Imaams. To understand it better, it is good to have knowledge of the eras of these 4 Imaams and the eras of the well-known Muhadditheen:

1. Imam Abu Hanifah (Rahmatullahi 'alayh) 80-150 H

2. Imam Malik (Rahmatullahi 'alayh) 90-179 H

3. Imam Shaa’fi’i (Rahmatullahi 'alayh) 150-204 H

4. Imam Ahmad Bin Hambal (Rahmatullahi 'alayh) 164-241 H

5. Imam Bukhari (Rahmatullahi 'alayh) 194-256 H

6. Imam Muslim (Rahmatullahi 'alayh) 206-261 H

7. Imam Abu Daawud (Rahmatullahi 'alayh) 202-275 H

8. Imam Tirmizi (Rahmatullahi 'alayh) 200-279 H

9. Imam Nasai (Rahmatullahi 'alayh) 215-303 H

10. Imam Ibn Majah (Rahmatullahi 'alayh) 209-273 H

[English version of "Prends compte" – Al Jamiat – Vol.1 No.9]