Different categories of narrations

Question:-

What is the difference between “Saheeh”, “Hasan” and “Mutawaatir”?

Answer:-

Firstly, let us understand the definition of “Saheeh” , “Hasan” and “Mutawaatir” according to the experts in the field of Ahaadith.

1.  A “Saheeh” Hadith refers to that narration wherein the chain reaches Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam via such narrators that are Aadil (reliable), with excellent memories, and the narration is neither Shaaz (a single narration with no similar narrations, wherein the narrator has differed in some aspects of the narration with a narrator that is higher ranked than him), nor is it Muallal (defective due to various reasons).

(علوم الحديث لابن الصلاح ص12)

2. “Hasan” refers to such Ahadith that rank one level below a “Sahih” Hadeeth and its source and narrators are well known. The basis of most Ahadith are dependent on these factors, and this is (the type of Hadith) that most Ulema accept and majority of the Fuqaha use (to prove Masaa’il of Shariah).

الحسن ما عرف مخرجه واشتهر رجاله  قال وعليه مدار اكتر الحديث وهو الذي يقبله اكثر العلماء ويستعمله عامة الفقهاء

 (علوم الحديث لابن الصلاح ص 30)

However, Imaam Tirmizhi Rahimahullah states that, “Hasan” refers to such a narration wherein no narrator in the chain of narrators has not been accused of lying, nor is the narration the only narration (in the chapter), but other similar narrations (with a similar subject matter) have been recorded as well.

(علوم الحديث لابن الصلاح ص 30)

Some of the latter scholars, such as Ibn Jowzi, have mentioned that “Hasan” refers to that narration that could possibly contain some weakness, but it is correct to act upon it.

(علوم الحديث لابن الصلاح ص 30)

3. “Hadith-e-Mutawaatir” refers to such a narration where things that can be sensed (which the narrator attributes to his hearing or seeing) is transmitted by such a large group of people that speaking a lie cannot be imagined from all such people, from the beginning of the Sanad until the end.

The requirements for a narration to be a “Saheeh” narration or “Hasan” such as being “Aadil” and having an excellent memory etc. is not a requirement for the narrators of a “Mutawaatir” narration. Rather, it is the large number of narrators that are taken into consideration. In other words, there are so many narrators narrating the same event, that one reaches conclusion through his intelligence that it is impossible for them to agree upon speaking a lie. The Ulama (of Usool-e-Hadith) have written that if the people of a Kaafir town state that they saw a huge fire or an explosion (with their eyes), then certainty will be attained in them speaking the truth.

(علوم الحديث لابن الصلاح ص267)

Based on the above explanation, we understand that the objective of the narrations is to simply ascertain whether the narration is reliable or not. Generally, a “Saheeh” narration enjoys preference over “Hasan” as understood from the definitions listed above. However, we haven’t found any principle in regards to a “Mutawaatir” narration when compared to a “Saheeh” and “Hasan” narration. However, it seems from the above-mentioned definition of “Mutawaatir”, that the objective and requirements for a “Mutawaatir” narration differs to “Saheeh” and “Hasan”.

ALLAH TA’ALA KNOWS BEST!

ANSWERED BY:

Mufti Mohammed Desai

Date: 16 Jumadal Ukhra 1443 / 19 January 2022