The Life and works of Imam Bukhari (RA)

Introduction:

Who is not aware of Hadhrat Imam Bukhari (R.A) and his kitaab ‘Saheehul-
Bukhari’?

However in this present day, the majority of Muslims use his kitaab to refer to
whenever in need of a supporting reference for their actions or deeds without the
knowledge of the life of the great author.

Kitaabe-Bukhari has been given the status of being the most authenticated book
after the Holy Qur’an. But why?

Although all aspects of Imam Bukhari’s life and great works cannot be covered in
any book; this concise booklet aims to cover in general the life of Imam Bukhari
(R.A) and as to how he compiled his kitaab so one may discover as to why it has
been said that:

The dua that is made after completing Bukhari is accepted.

May the Almighty Allah shower His blessings upon such a great personality who
has been the source of guidance for many through compiling such a kitaab. And
may He also accept our humble effort. Ameen.

Background

The famous and respected Muhaddith, Imam Bukhari’s (R.A) genealogy is as

follows: Mohammed Ibn Ismail Ibn Ibrahim Ibn Mugheera Ibn Bardizbah.

His father Ismail was a well-known and famous Muhaddith in his time and had
been blessed with the chance of being in the company of Imam Malik, Hammad
Ibn Zaid and also Abdullah Ibn Mubarak (R.A.).

Imam Bukhari (R.A) was born on the blessed day of Friday 13 Shawwaal 194
(A.H). He had lost the use of his eyes in the early stages of his childhood.
However, due to the pious and lengthy prayers of his mother his eyesight was
returned miraculously. The news had reached his mother through a dream in
which Hadhrat Ibrahim (A.S) had appeared and said, "Due to your bountiful and
sacred prayers Allah Ta’alaa has returned the eyesight of your son."

The dream was proven to be true in the morning.

Ismail the father of Imam Bukhari (R.A) had died in Imam Bukhari’s childhood,
leaving him in the care of his mother where he was nourished with love and care.
At the age of sixteen after having memorized the compiled books of Imam Waki
and Abdullah Ibn Mubarak, he performed Haj with his elder brother and mother.
After the completion of Haj Imam Bukhari remained in Makkah for a further two
years and upon reaching the age of eighteen headed for Medinah, and spent his
nights next to the grave of the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam compiling the
books of ‘Qadhaayas-Sahaabah Wat-Taabi’een’ and ‘Taareekhul-Kabeer’ with the
moonlight as a means of lighting.

Imam Bukhari (R.A) traveled a great deal in order to expand his knowledge. He
made two trips to Syria and Egypt and stayed six years in Arabia. He also
happened to return to Kufa, Baghdad and Basra four times and at times remained
there for a period of five years. Also at Haj season he used to return to Makkah.

Teachers

Imam Bukhari (R.A) first started listening and learning ahaadeeth in 205 A.H., and
after profiting from the Ulamaa of his town he started his travels in 210 A.H.
There are a great number of teachers from whom Imam Bukhari (R.A) actually
gained his much respected knowledge. It has been known to be said by Imam
Bukhari (R.A) himself that, "I have written ahaadeeth from 1080 different people
all of whom were scholars." However, he profited most from Ishaq Ibn Rahway
and Ali Ibn Madeeni (R.A). Imam Bukhari (R.A) has narrated ahaadeeth from
Ulamaa of five different categories. He has also narrated ahaadeeth from his
students believing in the fact that no person shall be titled a scholar of ahaadeeth
until he has narrated from his elders, youngsters and contemporaries.

Students

Imam Bukhari (R.A) also had a vast amount of students. It has been stated that
approximately 9 000 people were privileged to sit in his lessons where he taught
his Kitab ‘Sahih-Ul-Bukhari’. There were travelers amongst these from all corners
of the world in order to join these pious sittings and to be honoured with a glimpse
of the knowledge that he held and which never failed to astonish anybody.

Memory

Imam Bukhari’s (R.A) memory was considered to be inhuman, for as soon as the
praying of a hadith would finish Imam Bukhari (R.A) would repeat it orally. It has
been known that in his childhood he had memorized 2 000 ahaadeeth.
There is one spectacular incident which took place in Baghdad when Imam
Bukhari (R.A) took up temporary residence there. The people having heard of his
many accomplishments, and the attributes which were issued to him, decided to
test him so as to make him prove himself to them. In order to do that they chose
one hundred different ahaadeeth and changing the testimonials and the text of the
ahaadeeth they were then recited by ten people to Imam Bukhari (R.A).

There was a crowd of gathered people from within and outside the city to witness
the outcome of such a test. When the ahaadeeth were recited Imam Bukhari (R.A)
replied to all in one manner, "Not to my knowledge." However, after the
completion of all the ahaadeeth Imam Bukhari (R.A) repeated each text and
testimonial which had been changed followed by the correct text and testimonial,
such was the memory of Imam Bukhari (R.A).

Abstinence

His abstinence was also an attribute which was incomparable and undauntless. He
had been left a considerable amount of wealth by his father however, due to his
generosity he spent it all in the path of Allah so that at the end he had been left
with no money forcing him to spend his day on one or two almonds.

He never took advantage from the generosity of any king or ruler, although many
occasions arose. Once he fell ill and when his urine was tested, the results showed
that he had not consumed curry for a long time. Upon questioning he said, "I have
not consumed curry for the last forty years.

Special Attributes

Imam Bukhari (RA) had one very special attribute which was to put everyone’s
happiness before his own. One incident which proves this is when Imam Bukahri’s
(RA) slave-girl was entering the room in which Imam Bukhari was seated
however, approaching the door she stumbled; causing Imam Bukhari to warn, "Be
careful as to where you are walking.’’ The slave-girl replied haughtily "How shall
I walk when there is no place?’’ Upon hearing this Imam Bukhari threw up his
hands and cheered," I have now given you the freedom to walk where you wish as
of now you are freed." Someone later questioned Imam Bukhari if he had reacted
out of anger, however, he replied "No, I have just pleased myself with my
conduct.’’

Imam Bukhari always took notice of all things little which could help him earn the
happiness of Allah Ta’ala. There is one such incident where there was a gathering.
A man from within the crowd found a feather within his beard which he threw on
the floor. Imam Bukhari followed the mans action and looking around to make
sure no-one was looking and then bent in order to pick it up and placed it in his
pocket. After leaving the mosque he threw it away aware of the fact that he had
just done something in order to help keep the mosque clean.

Imam Bukhari (R.A) states himself that, "From the time of learning the
prohibitions of backbiting till now, I have refrained from such an act."

There is also one incident when Imam Bukhari (R.A) was involved in Zohar
prayers. After completing his salaah he started to pray his Nafl. On finishing this
he turned towards his companions and lifting the bottom of his shirt said, “Is there
anything inside this?" Suddenly a wasp fell out leaving 17 places which were
swelling due to the violent stings of the wasp. One companion asked why the
salaah was not discontinued. He replied, "I felt a certain pleasure from my salaah
which I was reluctant to let go of."

Steadfastness

The Governor of Bukhara made a special request for Imam Bukhari (R.A) to make
daily visits to his home in order to teach his children. Imam Bukhari (R.A)
declined stating that, "I give greater respect to knowledge rather than to people, for
it is they who are in need of the knowledge and it is they who should seek it."

Upon hearing this the Governor was further annoyed by Imam Bukhari’s (R.A)
answer and made a second request that Imam Bukhari (R.A) make a special
arrangement to teach his children alone without anyone else being present which
was also refused by Imam Bukhari (R.A). The Governor was infuriated by the
second refusal and ordered Imam Bukhari (R.A) out of Bukhara. The people of
Samarqand hearing of this quickly issued an invitation to Imam Bukhari (R.A) to
come to their town. However, there was also a difference of opinion within the
people of Samarqand which forced Imam Bukhari (R.A) to turn towards Khartang.

Death

It was here that he spent the month of Ramadaan and in the month of Shawwaal
headed towards Samarqand, where death found him whilst he was traveling. Imam
Bukhari died in the month of Shawwaal 256 A.H., at the age of 62. (To Allah we
belong and to Him we shall return.)

Writings

There are a number of books compiled by Imam Bukhari (R.A) however, Bukhari
Shareef has gained great esteem and a high status in the learning and praying of
ahaadeeth.
A specific date has not been known as to when he had started the writing of
Bukhari Shareef, however, we do know that after he had finished he had shown
the manuscript to his teachers Imam Ahmad Ibn Hanbal (R.A) for approval who
died in 241 A.H, along with Ibnul-Madeeni who died in 234 A.H, and lastly Ibn
Maeen who passed away in 233 A.H. It has also been recorded that it took the
noble writer a period of 16 years to gather the ahaadeeth and to write Bukhari
Shareef which sets the date back to 217 A.H, as the year in which he started the
compilation; Imam Bukhari (R.A) being merely 23 years of age.

Before Imam Bukhari (R.A) had started to collect ahaadeeth there had actually
been quite a few published books of ahaadeeth in which Imam Bukhari (R.A)
found ahaadeeth of both weak and strong testimonials, which gave him the idea to
compile such a kitaab containing ahaadeeth of only strong testimonials. Ishaaq Ibn
Rahway (R.A) agreed to this idea which strengthened Imam Bukhari’s (R.A)
decision.

Imam Bukhari (R.A) states, "There was once a time during one of our sessions
when my teacher Ishaaq Ibn Rahway remarked it would be appreciated if someone
could collect ahaadeeth which held strong and reliable testimonials and write them
in the form of a kitaab." This inspired Imam Bukhari (R.A) which was later
strengthened by a dream in which Imam Bukhari (R.A) was positioned in front of
the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam with a fan in one hand to aid him in
ridding the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam of all flies which would rest upon
him. Upon waking, Imam Bukhari (R.A) visited several interpreters for an
appropriate interpretation. They all answered that it meant he would in future
cleanse the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam of all lies spoken by the people
through narrating misunderstood ahaadeeth. This gave Imam Bukhari (R.A) great
comfort and strength once he started the writing of his kitab Al-Jame-ul-Sahih.
The complete name of the kitaab is ‘Al-Jame-ul-Sahih-al-Musnad-min-
ahaadeethe-Rasulillah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam-wa-sunanihi-wa-Ayyaamihi,’
which means a collected version of ahaadeeth in the form of a kitaab which relates
to us the sayings, actions and the life of the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam.

Imam Bukhari (R.A) had taken great care in writing the ahaadeeth and choosing
those which met the standards and conditions which he set to find ahaadeeth with
only strong testimonials which included only reliable and trustworthy testifiers. He
spent 16 years in writing the kitaab, altering it a total of three times. Allaamah
Ayni (R.A.) reports of Ibn Tahir’s remark that Imam Bukhari had written Sahih-
ul-Bukhari in his hometown Bukhara. Ibn Bujair however, relates that he had
started his compiling in Makkah, and some have reported of seeing him in Basra.
There is still another differing remark made by others who comment on seeing
him in Madinah to write his kitaab. However, we find Imam Bukhari (R.A)
relating himself that he wrote Sahih-ul-Bukhari in Masjid-e-Haraam.
Before he actually placed a hadith in his compilation he used to perform ghusl and
prayed to Allah through two rakah nafl prayers asking for guidance. Imam
Bukhari ( R.A) worked such that only after being completely satisfied with the
hadith in question did he give it a place in his kitaab. Due to this great care which
was taken, the people were heard to say that the ahaadeeth which Imam Bukhari
(R.A) has narrated have been so carefully phrased and with such precision that it is
felt Imam Bukhari (R.A) had heard the ahaadeeth directly through the Prophet
Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam.

Abu Zaid Marwazi reports that I was once asleep in between the ‘Black stone’ and
‘Maqaam-e-Ibrahim’ when the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam appeared in
my dream he stated, "O Abu Zaid! For how long shall you teach Imam Shafi’s
(R.A) kitaab ? When shall you start the teaching of my kitaab ?"

I questioned, "O Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam! Which kitaab is yours?" He

replied, "Mohammed Ibn Ismail’s Al-Jame-ul-Sahih."

Hafiz Ibn Hajar (R.A) reports that Imam Bukhari (R.A) has kept it of utmost
importance to only narrate ahaadeeth of a strong testimonial which can be proven
by the name of the kitaab. However, along with this Imam Bukhari (R.A) also
made an effort to explain all points which are difficult to understand, which is the
reason why he has given a plentiful host of meanings for one sentence which may
include a word that is in reality difficult to understand. Imam Bukhari (R.A) has
included within his kitaab the art of narrating ahaadeeth which have been divided
into eight different chapters. These chapters contain subjects which have been sub-
titled and are famous for the ingenious way in which they have been phrased.

Conditions

Imam Bukhari (R.A) has imposed conditions which all narrators and testifiers
must meet before the hadith can be selected. One condition requires that all
testifiers must have a strong memory. There are also restrictions made upon this
condition:

1. All the Muhadditheen who possess great knowledge of ahaadeeth must agree
upon the testifiers’ in question ability to learn and memorize, along with his
reporting techniques.

2. The testimonial must be complete without any missing testifiers.

3. If there are two different narrators of a hadith related to them by a Sahaabi then
the hadith shall be given a high stage in rank. However, if only one narrator can be
found and the testimonial proves to be a strong one then this shall be accepted
without any doubts.

Allaamah Nawawi (R.A) relates that all scholars in Islam have agreed that Sahih-
ul-Bukhari has earnestly gained the reward of being the most authentic after the
Holy Qur’an.

Sahih-ul-Bukhari consists of 7 275 ahaadeeth including those ahaadeeth which

have been repeated. However, should the repeated ahaadeeth be excluded then the
total number of ahaadeeth will be 4,000.

Hafiz Ibn Hajar counted the ahaadeeth and concluded that there was 7 397 where
the ahaadeeth have been passed down from the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi
Wasallam directly and with the narrations of Sahabah or Tabi’een etc.; procuring a
total of 9 407 ahaadeeth in all. Although after excluding the repetitions he found 2
353 narrations of the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam and 160 sayings of the
respected Sahabah totaling to 2 513 narrations in all.

A Distinctive Honour

Bukhari Shareef has been set apart from other compilations, gaining a distinctive
honour due to the following reasons:

1. Whilst Imam Bukhari (R.A) was engaged in the writing of Bukhari Shareef, if
the need arose to stop work for a period of time, then he would continue his work
only after writing ‘Bismillah’ which is the reason why ‘ Bismillah’ has been found
to be written in between in many places.

2. At the end of all chapters Imam Bukhari (R.A) has concluded by use of a word
within the sentence so as to give one a point to ponder upon and hopefully so that
one becomes more aware of the primary objective of life. e.g. after the first
chapter he has included a word which brings one to think of their short life in this
world and of their death. His intention is that one reads Kitaabe-Bukhari with
death in mind.

3. Imam Bukhari (R.A) has paid great attention towards the beginning and ending
his kitaab with an appropriate hadith. For the first hadith narrated within the kitaab
is based upon intention which gives one the opportunity to be sincere with himself
as to what he intends to gain from studying the words of the Prophet Sallallahu
Alaihi Wasallam which have been narrated throughout the kitaab. Also the last
chapter which Imam Bukhari (R.A) has chosen to end his kitaab with is ‘Kitaab-
ul-Tauheed’ which gives one a whole host of words which may be said in order to
praise the oneness of Allah; for it is this which is believed to be the sole aid for all
humans when they shall find themselves in the unbearable position of being
reckoned for their sins on the Day of Judgment.

Hadhrat Shaikh Moulana Muhammad Zakariyya (R.A) has summed up the above
in these words," Imam Bukhari (R.A) has commenced his kitaab with the hadeeth
‘ Innamal Aamaal....’ and concluded it with ‘Kalimataan.