I would like to know what was the procedure of compiling Hadith? Like how was Hadith compiled? Can you please suggest kitabs which I could read that will give me a thorough understanding of this topic.
Answer
There are several books on this very important topic.
Among them are the following:
Arabic
1. Tadwinul Hadith by Moulana Manazir Ahsan Gilani (rahimahullah). Published by Darul Gharb. This was book was originally written in Urdu and has been translated into Arabic.
2. Dirasatun Fil Hadithin Nabawiy, wa tarikhi Tadwinihi, by Dr Mustapha A’zami (rahimahullah). Published by Al-Maktabul Islami.
3. Al-Hadith wal Muhaddithun, by Shaykh Muhammad Abu Zahw (rahimahullah). Published by Darul Fikril Arabi.
4. As-Sunnah qablat Tadwin, by Shaykh Muhammad ‘Ujaj Al-Khatib (rahimahullah). Published by Darul Fikr.
You may also refer to:
5. Nusratul Hadith, by ‘Allamah Habibur Rahman Al-A’zami (rahimahullah). Published by: Darul Qalam. This was book was originally written in Urdu and has been translated into Arabic.
6. As-Sunnah wa makanatuha fit Tashri’il Islami, by Dr Mustapha Siba’iy (rahimahullah). Published by several publishers.
Urdu
1. Tadwinul Hadith by Moulana Manazir Ahsan Gilani (rahimahullah). Published by Al-MIzan. This was book was originally written in Urdu and has been translated into Arabic.
2. Nusratul Hadith, by ‘Allamah Habibur Rahman Al-A’zami (rahimahullah). Published by Zam Zam publishers. This was book was originally written in Urdu and has been translated into Arabic.
3. Athaarul Hadith, by ‘Allamah Khalid Mahmood (hafizahullah). Published by Darul Ma’arif.
English
1. For English you may refer to the introduction of the book: Kashful Bari, which is a commentary of Sahih Bukhari. The first four volumes of this monumental commentary have been published a few years back by, ‘The Institute of Mujaddid Alf Thani (rahimahullah).’
2. The authority of the Sunnah, By Mufti Taqi Uthmani (hafizahullah). Publsihed by Idaratul Quran.
3. The preservation & integrity of Hadith. This is a section from the book mentioned above; Nusratul Hadith of ‘Allamah Habibur Rahman Al-A’zami (rahimahullah). Published by Madrasah Da’watulHaq.
4. Studies in Hadith methodology and literature by the late Dr Mustapfa A’zami (rahimahullah). Published by American Trust Publications.
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best,
Answered by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar