In the realm of ḥadīth scholarship, the terms muttafaq ʿalayh and rawāhu al-Bukhārī wa Muslim are often used interchangeably, denoting ḥadīths present in both Imām al-Bukhārī's and Imām Muslim's collections. However, a nuanced examination reveals subtle distinctions between these terms. This article elucidates the disparity through illustrative examples, shedding light on when to apply muttafaq ʿalayh and when rawāhu al-Bukhārī wa Muslim becomes more fitting.
This can be clarified with the following two examples.
The following ḥadīth is narrated in both Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī and Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim:
The narrator of the ḥadīth in both books is Abū Hurayrah (raḍ. ʿanhu). As the ḥadīth is narrated by the same individual in both collections, it qualifies as muttafaq ʿalayh. The identical narrators establish a consensus between the two revered compilations, emphasising the reliability and authenticity of the ḥadīth.
Contrastingly, examine the ḥadīth found in both Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī and Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, but with distinct narrators:
In Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, this ḥadīth is narrated by Jābir ibn ʿAbd Allāh (raḍ. ʿanhu), while in Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim it is narrated by Ḥudhayfah and Abū Shaybah (raḍ. ʿanhumā). Despite the congruence in the ḥadīth's content, the variance in narrators prompts scholars to refrain from categorising it as muttafaq ʿalayh. Instead, it is more accurately designated as rawāhu al-Bukhārī wa Muslim, because the narrators of the ḥadīth are different even though the matn is the same.
In summary, muttafaq ʿalayh encapsulates ḥadīths present in both al-Bukhārī and Muslim, with an essential prerequisite being the congruence of the narrator. Conversely, when distinct narrators are involved, as seen in the second example, scholars advocate using the term rawāhu al-Bukhārī wa Muslim to acknowledge the commonality in content while recognising the divergence in transmission chains. This nuanced understanding contributes to a more precise discourse within the field of ḥadīth scholarship, ensuring accuracy in categorisation and preserving the integrity of the prophetic traditions.
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