Bukhari

Hadith Commentary:
Although the Muslims have not seen Prophet Nuh (alayhis salam) in this world, nor his community and their predecessors, yet they will testify with certainty. This is because whatever is heard from Allah and His Messenger (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) and through continuous transmission (tawatur) is as certain as something seen with the eyes. Even in this world, such testimony is accepted.

For example, if a person is the son of someone and it is well-known among all people, then testimony can be given that he is the son of so-and-so, even though he was not seen at the time of birth.

Some have deduced from this verse that consensus (ijma‘) is a proof, because Allah, the Exalted, has called this ummah a just community (ummatan ‘adilah), and it is not possible that the consensus of the entire ummah would be upon falsehood and error.

Hadith Commentary:
➊
We have not seen Prophet Nuh (alayhis salam) or his community, but on the Day of Resurrection, we will testify with certainty that Prophet Nuh (alayhis salam) conveyed Allah’s message to his people.
We have come to know this reality through what Allah, the Exalted, and His Messenger (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) have informed us. That which is heard through continuous transmission (tawatur) is like something seen with one’s own eyes, and testimony can be given regarding it.
For example:
A person has a son, and everyone knows about it, so they can testify that such-and-such is the son of so-and-so, even though no one saw him being born with their own eyes.

➋
Some scholars have established the authority of consensus (ijma‘) from this noble verse, because Allah, the Exalted, has described this ummah as “ummatan wasat”—that is, a just and balanced community. It is not possible for the entire ummah to unanimously agree upon something false or unjust. Accordingly, Imam Bukhari rahimahullah has alluded to this matter in the chapter heading, because in the noble verse, the attribute “wasat” is mentioned for this blessed ummah.
By this is meant their being just and balanced; therefore, the ignorant and the people of innovation (bid‘ah) are certainly not worthy of this attribute. Thus, it is clear that what is meant are the true people of Ahl al-Sunnah wa’l-Jama‘ah (Ahl al-Hadith), and they are the true bearers of the sacred Islamic knowledge.

➌
In the hadiths, there is a command to adhere firmly to the congregation (jama‘ah).
The commentator of Sahih Bukhari, Ibn Battal, has said that in this chapter heading, there is encouragement to hold fast to the congregation.
And Allah knows best.
(Fath al-Bari: 13/387)

Hadith Commentary:
➊
It is stated in the Noble Qur’an:
“Today We shall set a seal upon their mouths so they will not be able to speak.”
(Yasin 36:65)
A question arises: when their tongues will be sealed, how will they speak before Allah? The answer is that on the Day of Resurrection, people will face various states. There will be a time when they will speak, and there will come a time when their tongues will be sealed and their limbs will bear witness against them.

➋
In this hadith as well, there is mention of the virtue of Prophet Nuh (alayhis salam), therefore it has been mentioned under the aforementioned heading.

Hadith Commentary:
This phrase is part of the hadith itself; it is not the statement of the narrator.
The meaning of "wasat" is "the best."
The Arabs say:
"Fulan wasat fi qawmihi,"
meaning, "So-and-so is the best person among his people."
In the narration of Abu Mu'awiyah, there is an addition: The Lord will ask, "How did you know?" They will reply, "Our Noble Messenger (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) informed us that the previous prophets conveyed Allah's commands to their respective communities, and their report is true."
From this hadith, the principle is derived that if one is certain about something heard, then it is permissible to testify to it.

Hadith Commentary:
➊
In one narration, it is mentioned that Allah, the Exalted, will ask this Ummah, "How did you come to know of this matter?" They will reply, "The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) informed us that all the Messengers conveyed Allah’s command to their respective nations. Their report was true. Upon this, we affirmed the truthfulness of Prophet Nuh (alayhis salam)." (Musnad Ahmad: 3/58)

➋
This hadith also proves that direct observation is not necessary for testimony; rather, having knowledge and information about a matter is sufficient. Otherwise, how could the people of this Ummah testify regarding Prophet Nuh (alayhis salam) being upon the truth—were these people present at that time? They received this knowledge through the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam), and based on this knowledge, they bore witness.

➌
It should be noted that the literal meaning of "wasat" is "middle," but this word is also used in the sense of "better" and "superior," as Imam Bukhari (rahimahullah) has clarified at the end of the hadith—that just as you have been given the best qiblah, likewise you have been made superior to all other nations. Another meaning of "wasat" is "moderation," meaning you are moderate and free from excess and deficiency. This meaning is in accordance with Islamic teachings—that in religious matters, you are neither afflicted with excess like the Christians nor guilty of negligence like the Jews. (Fath al-Bari: 8/217)

From one narration of Sahih Bukhari, it is understood that this meaning of "wasat" is part of the marfu‘ hadith, as in the Book of Al-I‘tisam, the words "wasatan ‘adlan" (a justly balanced nation) are mentioned. (Sahih al-Bukhari, Al-I‘tisam bil-Kitab wa al-Sunnah, Hadith: 7349)

Commentary:
Explanation:
1:
We have thus made you a just community (al-Baqarah: 143)