❖ Difference Between "Ṣaḥīḥ" and "Ṣaḥīḥ al-Isnād"
Source: Fatāwā Arkān-e-Islām
◈ The Question:
What is the difference between Ṣaḥīḥ and Ṣaḥīḥ al-Isnād in the science of ḥadīth?
① Definition of Ḥadīth Ṣaḥīḥ
In the terminology of muḥaddithīn, a ḥadīth ṣaḥīḥ (authentic ḥadīth) is one that:
➤ Has a connected chain (muttaṣil sanad) reaching back to the original narrator (e.g., the Prophet ﷺ or a Companion), with no gaps.
➤ All narrators in the chain are ʿādil (upright in character, free from innovation and open sin).
➤ All narrators are ḍābiṭ (possess strong and reliable memory or precision in recording).
➤ The ḥadīth contains no shudhūdh (contradiction to stronger narrations).
➤ It is free from any hidden defects (ʿillah khafiyyah).
If all of these conditions are fulfilled, the ḥadīth is termed "Ṣaḥīḥ" in the complete technical sense.② Definition of Ṣaḥīḥ al-Isnād
When a muḥaddith uses the term “ṣaḥīḥ al-isnād” (sound chain of narration), it means:
➤ The chain is connected (no narrator is missing).
➤ All narrators are upright (ʿādil) and precise (ḍābiṭ).
➤ However, the textual content of the ḥadīth may still contain shudhūdh or a hidden flaw, hence the muḥaddith refrains from declaring the entire ḥadīth as Ṣaḥīḥ.
In such cases, the reliability of the isnād is confirmed, but complete authenticity of the text is not necessarily established.③ Core Differences Between "Ṣaḥīḥ" and "Ṣaḥīḥ al-Isnād"
| Aspect | Ṣaḥīḥ | Ṣaḥīḥ al-Isnād |
|---|---|---|
| Chain (Sanad) | Connected | Connected |
| Narrators’ Integrity | All are ʿādil and ḍābiṭ | All are ʿādil and ḍābiṭ |
| Shudhūdh (Contradiction) | Confirmed to be absent | Possibility of presence |
| ʿIllah (Hidden Defect) | Confirmed to be absent | Possibility of presence |
| Overall Authenticity | Fully authentic ḥadīth | Only chain is sound, full authenticity not claimed |
Therefore, when a muḥaddith says "هذا حديث صحيح", he is affirming the full authenticity of the ḥadīth in both chain and content. When he says "هذا حديث صحيح الإسناد", he is only confirming the soundness of the chain, and not fully asserting the authenticity of the content due to possible hidden flaws.Additional Note:
If a reliable scholar uses the term ṣaḥīḥ al-isnād without mentioning any flaw, then in practice, it may indicate that he considers the ḥadīth as sound overall, since scholars generally rely on the absence of shudhūdh and ʿillah unless proven otherwise.
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