❖ Foundational Realities Regarding Shia Narrators in Sahih Bukhari
✿ Origins of Shi'ism and the Principles of Hadith Scholars
Historically, Shi'ism initially emerged as a political inclination among some Muslims in opposition to the Umayyads, rooted in love and reverence for the Ahl al-Bayt. Over time, this sentiment intensified and evolved into extreme forms like Rafidism.
The renowned commentator of Sahih Bukhari, Al-Hafiz Ibn Hajar al-ʿAsqalānī (رحمه الله), explains:
"التشيع في عرف المتقدمين هو اعتقاد تفضيل علي على عثمان…"
"According to the early scholars, Shiʿism meant the belief in ʿAli’s superiority over ʿUthman..."
(Tahdhīb al-Tahdhīb 1/81)
◈ Distinction Between Shia and Rafidah According to Early Scholars
Among the early scholars, the term "Shia" referred to those who believed ʿAli (RA) to be superior to ʿUthman (RA), yet they still acknowledged the legitimacy of ʿUthman (RA) as a rightful Imam and Companion.
Such a belief was not considered major deviation, and at most was classified as a minor innovation (بدعة صغرى).
Some individuals even held ʿAli (RA) superior to Abu Bakr and ʿUmar (RA), while still affirming their Imamate and Companionship.
Unlike the Rāfiḍah, such individuals were often pious and devout, and though involved in minor innovation, their narrations were accepted by Hadith scholars provided they were not propagators (داعي) of their innovation.
✿ Criteria for Accepting Hadith from Innovators
➊ Core Conditions for Accepting Narrators
Two fundamental conditions must be met for a Hadith narrator to be accepted:
- Reliable Memory: The narrator must possess strong and accurate memorization.
- Integrity (ʿAdālah): The narrator must be upright, trustworthy, and refraining from sins.
➋ Treating the Narrations of Innovators
Innovations such as Shiʿism or Rafidism impact a narrator’s integrity. However, the Hadith scholars formulated principles for accepting or rejecting narrations from innovators:
① The narrator must be truthful (ṣadūq) and not known for lying.
② The narrator must not engage in a blasphemous innovation (i.e., one that leads to disbelief).
③ The narrator must not be a propagator of his innovation.
④ The narration should not support or promote his innovation in any way.
➌ Varying Approaches of Hadith Scholars
Based on these criteria, Hadith scholars applied rigor or leniency depending on the situation. These judgments were made based on evidence and context, not personal bias.
For further study, one may consult ʿUlūm al-Ḥadīth by Ibn al-Ṣalāḥ and its commentaries.
✿ Shia Narrators in Sahih Bukhari
➊ Imam Bukhari’s Standards
There are narrations in Sahih Bukhari reported from Shia or innovating narrators. However, Hadith scholars clarify the following regarding Imam Bukhari’s methodology:
- No narrator with a blasphemous innovation (بدعة مكفرة) is found.
- Most Shia narrators were non-propagators and some later repented.
- Their narrations are mostly found in mutābaʿāt (supporting narrations) or shawāhid (corroborative narrations).
- In some cases, there is no definitive evidence that the narrator held an innovation.
➋ Examples of So-Called “Shia” Narrators in Sahih Bukhari
- Ibn Jurayj Abū Khālid al-Makkī: Imam Dhahabi mentioned in Mīzān al-Iʿtidāl that he considered mutʿah permissible and engaged in it with seventy women. However, mention of his repentance also exists.
- ʿAbbād ibn Yaʿqūb: According to Ibn Ḥibbān, he was a Rāfiḍī and a propagator, yet Bukhari narrated only one hadith from him, and that too in maqrūn form (supported by another chain).
- ʿAbd al-Malik ibn Aʿyūn: Labeled as a Rāfiḍī, but only one narration appears in Sahih Bukhari from him, also in maqrūn form.
➌ Response to Critics
Opponents often exaggerate the number and status of Shia narrators in Sahih Bukhari:
- The claim that all were Bukhari’s teachers is entirely false.
- Most narrations were taken as supporting evidence, not as primary authorities.
- Critics fail to distinguish between narration acceptance and scholarly endorsement of their beliefs.
✔ Summary
- Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim contain no narration from any Rāfiḍī who cursed Abu Bakr, ʿUmar, or the Noble Wives (RA).
- Hadith scholars established clear and stringent principles for accepting narrations from Shia and innovators, which they consistently adhered to.
❖ Recommended Further Reading
- "Manhaj al-Imāmayn al-Bukhārī wa Muslim fī al-Riwāyah ʿan Rijāl al-Shīʿah fī Ṣaḥīḥayhimā" by Muḥammad Khalīfah al-Sharaʿ
- "Manhaj al-Imām al-Bukhārī fī al-Riwāyah ʿan al-Mubtadiʿah min Khilāl al-Jāmiʿ al-Ṣaḥīḥ: al-Shīʿah Namūdhajan" by Karīmah al-Sūdānī
Conclusion: The allegations regarding Shia narrators in Sahih Bukhari stem from misconceptions and exaggerations, not scholarly evidence. Imam Bukhari adhered to rigorous standards that ensured the purity and authenticity of the narrations in his collection.
