For the benefit of those readers who know very little about Islam, we should mention here that out of the scores of books written on the subject of the Traditions (of Holy Prophet SAW), six are considered to be of extraordinary importance by Muslim scholars. They are known as the Sihah Sittah ( The Six Authentic Ones). The following is a brief introduction of these books and to the scholars responsible for their compilation:
SAHIH BUKHARI:
This book is considered to be the most authentic book after the Holy Quran. The compiler thereof is Muhammad Ismail of Bukhara, commonly known as Imam Bukhari. (b 194, d. 256 Hijra; 816-878 A.D.)
SAHIH MUSLIM:
Considered second in importance is Sahih Muslim. This was compiled by Muslim bin Al-Hajjaj who was a native of Neshapur in Khorasan. (b. 202, d. 261 Hijra; 824 – 883 A.D.)
JAMI AL-TIRMIDHI
Third in order is Jami Al-Tirmidhi. The compiler, Imam Muhammad bin Isa was a native of Tirmidh. (b. 209, d. 279 Hijra; 831-901 A.D.)
SUNAN ABU DAUD
Next is Sunan Abu Daud compiled by Sulaiman bin Al-Ashah, known as Abu Daud. (b. 202, d. 275 Hijra; 824-897 A.D.)
SUNAN IBN MAJAH
Considered fifth in degree of authenticity is Snan ibn Majah. It was compiled by Muhammad bin Majah who was from the famous city of Qizwin in Iraq. (b. 209, d. 275 Hijra; 831-897 A.D.)
SUNAN NISAI
The sixth book is Sunan Nisai. It was compiled by Ahmad bin Shuaib, known as “Nisai” after the city of Nisa in Khorsan. (b. 215, d. 306 Hijra; 837-928 A.D.)
MUWATTA IMAM MALIK
Besides the Sihah Sittah (The Six Authentic Ones), there is another very important compilation of Traditions known as Muwatta Imam Malik. The compiler, Malik bin Anas, is commonly known as Imam Malik. This book is not included among the Sihah Sittah as it is primarily considered to be a book of jurisprudence, and the Traditions are quoted mostly in discussions of juristic problems. The authenticity of the narrations quoted in Muwatta Imam Malik can be judged by the fact that all of them are included in sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim. Imam Malik’s status among the compilers of Traditions is so high that he is known as Imamul Muhaddithin (the leader of the compilers), and all of them have borne testimony to this exalted position.