Sahih, Hasan, Zaif and Mawdu' Hadith

Al-Mawdu’ (الموضوع): This is the most famous terminology used.

Of no origin (لا أصل له): In Tadrib al-Raqi, ‘of no origin’ means hadith without sanad. [See: Tadrib al-Rawi, 162/1]

Bathil (الباطل): Some scholars also use the term ‘bathil’ to indicate mawdu’ hadith.

With no sanad (لا إسناد له): Sometimes, it is added in this term by “I do not know for this hadith a sanad (لا أعرف له إسنادا)”. According to Ibn ‘Arraq (‘Arraq), if the huffaz al-hadith state on the status of a hadith by the term “I do not know of it (لا أعرفه) or of no origin (لا أصل له), then it is enough to state the rule of a hadith.” [See: Tanzih al-Syariah. 8/1]

Does not reach (the Prophet PBUH) (ليس مرفوعا): Which is when a hadith is stated by this term, then this indicates that its sanad is broken or does not reach the Prophet PBUH.

Is not known by this words (لا يعرف بهذا اللفظ): This is also one of the terminologies used in stating that this hadith is not sahih.

Hadith Classification

In regards to classification, there are three general types:

1. Sahih (Sound)

2. Hasan (Good)

3. Da‘if (weak)

Sahih and hasan hadith, according to the hadith scholars (muhaddithun) are “accepted” (maqbul), and da‘if hadith are “rejected” (mardud). Each of these three types has its own subdivisions, weak hadith, in particular, having many sub-branches and reasons for its grading.

Sahih and hasan hadith may be sahih or hasan in of themselves (sahih/hasan li-dhatihi) or may not have reached the highest standards of grading but are elevated to the class of sahih or hasan via other hadith (sahih/hasan li-ghayrihi).

Sahih Hadith

A sahih hadith is a hadith that has a connected chain of transmission (ittisal), each narrator being upright in character (‘adl), exacting, and reliable (dabit) in his narration and transmission and which is free from irregularities (shudhudh) or serious flaws (‘ilal).

Ruling: There is consensus among the ‘ulema that a sahih hadith is evidence for all types of rulings, such as legal rulings and tenants of faith (with further conditions).

Hasan Hadith

A hasan hadith fulfills the same criteria as the sahih hadith except that its narrators’ exactness is less than the exactness found in narrators of sahih hadith.

Ruling: Like the sahih hadith, the fuqaha (jurists) and most of the muhaddithun accept that the hasan hadith can also be used for evidence. For this reason, some Imams of hadith, such as al-Hakim and Ibn Hibban, include hasan ahadith with sahih hadith while still acknowledging its lesser rank to the sahih.

Da’if Hadith

A da‘if hadith is a hadith that does not fulfill the conditions of the sahih or hasan hadith.

Ruling: There is a difference of opinion between the ‘ulema on the ruling on acting upon weak hadiths. The reliable opinion is that weak hadiths can be acted upon for virtuous supererogatory deeds (fada’il al-a‘mal), for religious exhortation, stories, and similar things that are not connected to legal rulings and tenants of belief.

It should also be noted that the meaning conveyed in a weak hadith may still be considered sound and supported by other related texts. [Sharh al Bayquniyyah; Ibn Hajar al-‘Asqalani, Nukhbat al-Fikr]