Can I read Sahih Bukhari?
In the name of Allah, the most Beneficent, the most Merciful.
It is the way of Allah (SWA) that he did not send any scriptures or books by itself except that he sent a Prophet or a Messenger with it to explain its contents both practically and verbally.
Allah (SWA) in the Holy Quran has said:
‘And we have sent down onto you the message, that you may explain clearly to men what is sent for them.’ (Surah Nahl v.44)
Therefore, it is imperative that when you learn sacred knowledge you learn from a scholar who himself has studied and mastered his field. This does not mean that for every Islamic book you need a teacher, you can read Sahih Bukhari and other hadith books, however, if you are not sure about something it will be necessary to refer to a scholar to help you understand. Do not try to interpret or come to an individual assumption of the hadith.
Only Allah Knows Best
Mohammed Tosir Miah
Darul Ifta Birmingham