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
Witr (Odd-Numbered Prayer)
A strongly recommended prayer with an odd number of rak'ah, prayed after Isha.
Ziyarat al-Jami'ah al-Kabirah
A comprehensive visitation prayer to all twelve Imams, taught by Imam Ali al-Hadi.
Surah Al-Fatiha (The Opening Chapter)
The opening chapter of the Quran, recited in every single rak'ah.
Sha'ban (The Prophet's Month)
The eighth Islamic month, with special emphasis on the 15th night.
Sunan Abu Dawud (Abu Dawud's Hadith Collection)
One of the six canonical hadith collections in Sunni Islam with a special focus on legal narrations.
Sujud al-Sahw (Prostration of Forgetfulness)
Two extra prostrations performed to compensate for errors in prayer.