Question
How many Hadiths did Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah (radiyallahu ‘anhu) memorise?
Answer
It is important to understand that there is a stark difference between acquiring/memorising (التحمل) Hadiths and reporting/narrating them (الأداء).
In fact, it wouldn’t be farfetched to say that the vast majority of Sahabah (radiyallahu ‘anhum), if not all of them, have memorised/acquired many more Hadiths then what they have reported.
Although we cannot pinpoint the exact amount of narrations that Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah (radiyallahu ‘anhu) has memorised, we can estimate that it was indeed much more than the amount of narrations he has reported.
Realistically, it is impossible to put a conclusive figure to the number of narrations Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah (radiyallahu’anhu) memorised.
However in general, he is considered the most prolific Hadith reporter among the Sahabah (radiyallahu’anhum).
(Refer: Sahih Bukhari along with Fathul Bari, Hadith: 120, and Asma-us Sahabatir Ruwah, pg. 31)
And Allah Ta’ala knows best.
Answered by: Moulana Farhan Shariff
Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar