Sahih al-Bukhari (Bukhari's Authentic Collection)
The most authoritative hadith collection in Sunni Islam, compiled by Imam al-Bukhari.
Sahih al-Bukhari is the most recognized and authoritative hadith collection in Sunni Islam. It was compiled by Imam Abu Abdullah Muhammad ibn Ismail al-Bukhari (810-870 CE) over a period of 16 years. The work contains 7,275 hadith (with repetitions) or approximately 2,602 unique narrations, selected from over 600,000 narrations.
Al-Bukhari developed strict criteria for verifying the authenticity of each hadith. He required an unbroken chain of reliable narrators (isnad) and that each narrator had directly met the previous one. He also performed prayer and istikhara (guidance prayer) before including each individual hadith. The work is organized into 97 books (kutub) covering topics from prayer and purification to trade, marriage, and eschatology.
"Kitab al-Salah" (The Book of Prayer) in Sahih al-Bukhari is one of the most comprehensive collections of narrations about prayer. Here one finds detailed descriptions of the Prophet's (peace be upon him) manner of prayer, prayer times, and rules for congregational prayer. Imam al-Nawawi and Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani have both written famous commentaries on the work.
Related terms
Minbar (Pulpit)
The elevated platform in the mosque from which the imam delivers the Friday khutbah.
Sajdah (Prostration)
Prostration with the forehead on the ground — the most humble position in prayer.
Salat al-Tasbih (The Prayer of Glorification)
A special voluntary prayer with 300 tasbih recitations, recommended for forgiveness of sins.
Ziyarah (Visitation Prayer)
Visitation and greeting to the Prophet, the Imams, and holy persons at their graves.
Jannah (Paradise)
The eternal paradise, the reward for faith and good deeds.
Najaf (Imam Ali's City)
The sacred city in Iraq housing Imam Ali's tomb and the Shia scholarly center.