Status of Ahl al-Hadith and Core Beliefs of Imam Bukhari

Status and Rank of Ahl al-Hadith and the Foundational Issues of Imam Bukhari (رحمه الله)
✍ Written by: Muhaddith al-Asr, Shaykh al-Imam al-Hafiz Zubair Ali Zai (رحمه الله)


الحمد لله رب العالمين، والصلوة والسلام على رسوله الأمين


After praising Allah, the Lord of the worlds, and sending blessings and peace upon His trustworthy Messenger ﷺ:

❖ Status and Rank of Ahl al-Hadith​

◈ Titles:​

Those who believe in, accept, and propagate the Ahadith of the Noble Prophet ﷺ are known as Ahl al-Hadith and Ahl al-Sunnah.


Haji Imdadullah Thanwi’s Khalifah, Muhammad Anwarullah Faruqi, wrote in his book Haqiqat al-Fiqh (Part 2, p. 228):


“All the Companions were Ahl al-Hadith.”


Likewise, Muhammad Idris Kandhlawi (Deobandi) also confirmed:


“All the Companions were Ahl al-Hadith.”
(Ijtihad wa Taqlid, p. 48)

◈ Preservation of Ahadith​

After the noble Companions, the Tabi‘in and Taba‘ Tabi‘in preserved the Ahadith. Among their esteemed students were the likes of Imam al-Shafi‘i, Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal, Imam al-Bukhari, and Imam Muslim, who played a vital role in safeguarding the religion of Islam for all time.

✿ Distinctive Beliefs and Issues of Ahl al-Hadith​

① Descriptive Title of Ahl al-Hadith​

Imam al-Bukhari (رحمه الله) said while explaining Ta’ifah Mansurah:


“They are Ahl al-Hadith.”
(Mas’alah al-Ihtijaj, p. 37)

② Iman Increases and Decreases​

Imam al-Bukhari (رحمه الله) stated:


“Iman consists of both speech and action; it increases and decreases.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Iman, Hadith: 8)


In contrast, the Deobandi and Barelvi book Aqa’id Nasafiyyah states:


“Iman neither increases nor decreases.”

③ Allah’s Rising Over the Throne​

Imam al-Bukhari (رحمه الله), in the explanation of the verse "استوى على العرش", narrated from the Tabi‘i Imam Mujahid:


“Allah rose above the Throne.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Tawhid)

④ Condemnation of Opinion and Analogy​

Imam al-Bukhari (رحمه الله) said in Kitab al-I‘tisam bil-Kitab wa al-Sunnah:


“Opinion and analogy, when against the Book and Sunnah, are misguidance.”
(Hadith: 7307)

⑤ Raf‘ al-Yadayn (Raising Hands in Salah)​

In Sahih al-Bukhari, Imam al-Bukhari (رحمه الله) mentioned various occasions for Raf‘ al-Yadayn:
✔ At the time of Takbir
✔ While going into Ruku‘
✔ When rising from Ruku‘
(Hadith: 735–739)

⑥ Recitation of Surah al-Fatiha Behind the Imam​

Imam al-Bukhari (رحمه الله) made the recitation of al-Fatiha essential for Salah.
(Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith: 756)

⑦ Saying “Ameen” Aloud​

According to Imam al-Bukhari (رحمه الله), in loud prayers both the Imam and follower should say “Ameen” aloud.
(Hadith: 780, 782)

⑧ Placing Hands on Chest in Salah​

Imam al-Bukhari (رحمه الله) stated:


The right hand should be placed over the left forearm – which is the method of placing hands on the chest.
(Hadith: 740)

⑨ Eleven Rak‘ahs for Tarawih Including Witr​

According to Imam al-Bukhari (رحمه الله), the Prophet ﷺ used to offer eleven rak‘ahs in Ramadan.
(Hadith: 2013)

⑩ Jalsah al-Istirahah (Resting Sitting)​

Imam al-Bukhari (رحمه الله) mentioned sitting briefly before rising after two prostrations in odd rak‘ahs.
(Hadith: 823)

⑪ Using Hands on the Ground When Rising​

Imam al-Bukhari (رحمه الله) dedicated a chapter on using the hands on the ground when rising from an odd rak‘ah.
(Hadith: 824)

⑫ Single Call for Iqamah (Except “Qad Qamatis Salah”)​

Imam al-Bukhari (رحمه الله) stated that except for “Qad Qamatis Salah,” the Iqamah should be said once for each phrase.
(Hadith: 607)

⑬ Reciting al-Fatiha in Funeral Prayer​

Imam al-Bukhari (رحمه الله) narrated the Sunnah of reciting Surah al-Fatiha in the Janazah prayer.
(Hadith: 1335)

⑭ Aligning Shoulders and Feet in Rows​

According to Imam al-Bukhari (رحمه الله), alignment of shoulders and feet in prayer rows is emphasized.
(Hadith: 725)

⑮ Jumu‘ah Prayer in Villages​

Imam al-Bukhari (رحمه الله) made it clear that Jumu‘ah prayer is permissible even in villages.
(Hadith: 892)

❖ Conclusion​

Imam al-Bukhari (رحمه الله) was neither Deobandi nor Barelvi; he was Ahl al-Hadith. His stances align with the Book and the Sunnah.


We pray to Allah Almighty to illuminate the graves of Imam al-Bukhari and the noble Muhaddithin with His mercy, and to grant us the ability to follow in their footsteps. Ameen.

❖ Questions for Deobandi and Barelvi Scholars​

◈ Was Imam al-Bukhari (رحمه الله) Deobandi or Barelvi?
◈ Did Imam al-Bukhari (رحمه الله) support Deobandi or Barelvi beliefs in these matters, or did he uphold the methodology of Ahl al-Hadith?