2. AL-BUKHARI, Muhammad bin Isma'il: He is the Amir-ul-Mu 'mimn in the
knowledge of Hadeeth, and his full name is Abu 'Abdullah, Muhammad bin
Isma'il bin Ibrahim bin Al-Mughira bin Bardizbah Al-Ju'fi Al-Bukhari. He
was born in Shawwal 194 H. In Bukhara in what is now Uzbekistan.
Al-Bukhari studied Hadeeth at an early age and travelled widely over the
Muslim world collecting Hadeeth and compiled the most authentic ones in
his book Al-Jami 'As-Sahih, which later became known as As-Sahih
Al-Bukhari and contains 2602 Hadeeth which he selected from the
thousands of Hadeeth that he had memorized. Al-Bukhari studied under
famous Hadeeth Imam like Malik bin Anas and Yahya bin Ma'in. He died in
Samarqand, the present day capital of Uzbekistan Nowadays, the capital
is Tashkent. , the night of 'Eid-ul-Fitr, 256 H. Al-Bukhari was unique
in the science of the methodology of Hadeeth and his book Al-Ja'mi
'As-Sahih is considered to be the most authentic book after the Qur'an.
Saheeh al-Bukhari has been translated to English and is easily
available.
 

3. MUSLIM bin Hajjaj:
Muslim's full name is Muslim bin Al-Hajjaj Al-Qushairi An-Nishapuri. He
was born in 204 H., in the city of Nishapur near the city of Mashhad in
present Iran. Muslim is considered second only to Al-Bukhari in the
science of the methodology of Hadeeth. He started the study of Hadeeth
at an early age and travelled to 'Iraq, Hijaz, Ash-Sham and Egypt and
studied under the scholars of Hadeeth at that time like Al-Bukhari,
Ahmad bin Hanbal and Ibn Abee Shaiba. He also taught the famous Hadeeth
scholars like At-Tirmidhi and Ibn Abu Haatim. Muslim compiled the
Hadeeth book Al-Musnad As-Sahih, which became known as Sahih Muslim.
This book, which is considered by the Muslim 'Ulama as the second most
authentic Hadeeth book after Al-Bukhari, contains 9,200 Hadeeth. Imam
Muslim died at his birthplace in Rajab 261 H. Saheeh al-Muslim has been
translated to English.
 

4. ABU DA'UD, Sulaiman bin Al-Ash'ath: Abu Da'ud, Sulaiman bin
Al-Ash'ath bin Ishaq Al-Azdi As-Sijistani, who was one of the eminent
Imam of Hadeeth, was born in 202H. He studied Hadeeth under Imam Ahmad
bin Hanbal along with Al-Bukhari and taught many of the later scholars
of Hadeeth, like At-Tirmidhi and An-Nasaa'ee. Though Abu Da' ud
collected 5,00,000 Hadeeth, he compiled 4,800 Hadeeth only in his book
entitled As-Sunan, which he taught in Baghdad and other major cities at
that time. He died at Basra on Friday in the month of Shawwal 275 H.
Sunan Abu Dawood has been translated to English.
 

5. AT-TIRMIDHEE, Abu 'Iesa Muhammad bin 'Iesa: Abu 'Iesa, Muhammad bin
'lesa bin Sura At-Tirmidhee was born in 209 H. In a town called Tirmiz
in Uzbekistan near the northern border of Afghanistan. He was a student
of Al-Bukhari, and compiled 4,000 Hadeeth in his book called Al-Jami
which later came to be known as Sunan At-Tirmidhi. He also contributed
tremendously to the methodology of Hadeeth and composed a book on it
called Al-'Ilal (the discrepancies). He was famous for his piousness. He
became blind and finally died on 13 Rajab 279H. An abriged version of
Sunan at-Tirmidhi is available in English in the Alim computer software
CD.
 

6. AN-NASA'I, Abu 'Abdur-Rahman Ahmad bin Shu'aib: Abu 'Abdur-Rahman,
Ahmad bin 'Ali bin Shuiaib bin 'Ali Al-Hafiz was born in 215H. In Nisa',
a city in Khurasan. He became famous for the study of the methodology of
Hadeeth, memorizing and mastering it. His book known as Sunan An-Nasa'ee
is third to Sahih Al-Bukhari in terms of containing the least weak
Hadeeth. He lived in Egypt then moved to Damascus in Syria and died in
Makkah in the year 303 H.
 

7. IBN MAJAH, Muhammad bin Yazid:
Abu 'Abdullah, Muhammad bin Yazid bin Majah Al-Qizwini was born in 207H.
He studied under Imam Malik and others, and many people narrated Hadeeth
from him. He was one of the eminent scholars of Hadeeth,but his Sunan
contains many weak and even Munkar Hadeeth. Ibn Majah died in Ramadan in
273H. Sunan Ibn Majah has been translated to English, and printed by
Kazi Publications, Lahore. Other Hadeeth Scholars
 

8. IBN RAHWAIH, Ishaq bin Ibrahim:
Abu Ya'qub, Ishaq bin Ibrahim At-Tamimi Al-Hanzali Al-Marwazi was an
eminent and great Haafidh, who was a resident and the 'Aalim of
Nishapur. He was also considered as the Sheikh of the east of his time
and was known as Ibn Rahawaih. Imam Ahmad said, “I don't know an 'Aalim
equal to Ishaq in Iraq. Abu Zar'a also said, “There was no body so good
at memorizing the Hadeeth than Ishaq.” Abu Hatim also said, “His mastery
(of the Hadeeth), accuracy and accuracy and memorization were very
surprising.” Ibn Rahwaih was born in the year 166 H and died on l5th
Sha'ban 238 H.
 

9. AL-ISMA'ILI, Ahmad bin Ibrahim: Abu Bakr, Ahmad bin Ibrahim bin
Isma'il bin Al-'Abbas Al-Isma'ili Al-Jurjani was born in 277 H. He was
considered as an Imam and a Hafidh, and was given the title
Sheikh-ul-lslam due to his wide knowledge and because he was the leader
of the Shafi'ees in his region.
 

10. AL-BAZZAR, Ahmad bin 'Amr: Abu Bakr, Ahmad bin 'Amr bin
'Abdul-Khaliq Al-Basri was one of the eminent and learned Hadeeth
scholars who had attained the rank of Hafidh in the memorization of
Hadeeth. He authored two books on Hadeeth which are Al-Musnad Al-Kabir
and Al-'Ilal. He studied under At-Tabarani and others. Al-Bazzar died in
292 H.
 

11. AL-BAIHAQI, Ahmad bin Al-Husain:
Abu Bakr, Ahmad bin Al-Husain was born in Sha'ban in the year 374H. He
was considered a learned Hafidh among the eminent Imams of Hadeeth and a
jurisprudence scholar in the Shafi'ee Madhhab. He wrote many books like
As-Sunan Al-Kubra and As-Sunan As-Sughra. Adh-Dhahabi said, “His books
exceed one thousand volumes.” Al-Baihaq, which he is named after, is a
town near Nishapur. Al-Baihaqi died in 458 H.
 

12. ABU HATIM AR-RAZI, Muhammad bin Idris:
Abu Hatim, Muhammad bin Idris bin Al-Mundhir Al-Hanzali Ar-Razi was born
in
the year 195 H. He was an eminent Hafidh and an Imam and one of the
prominent scholars who excelled in the methodology of Hadeeth. He was
also
one of the most respected scholars in the knowledge Al-Jarh wat-Ta'dil
(verifying the reliability and unreliability of the narrators of the
Hadeeth).
 

13. IBN AL-JARUD, 'Abdullah bin 'Ali: Abu Muhammad, 'Abdullah bin 'Ali
bin Al-Jarud An-Nishapuri,who lived near Makkah, was an Imam and a
Hafidh who was among those 'Ulama who mastered the recitation of the
Qur'an. He authored Al-Muntaqa fil-Ahkam and was among the pious
scholars of his time. Ibn Al-Jarud died in 307 H.
 

14. AL-HARITH bin Abu Usama:
Imam Abu Muhammad, Al-Harith bin Abu Usama Muhammad bin Dahir At-Tamimi
Al-Baghdadi was a Hafidh and authored Al-Musnad which he did not arrange.
Ibrahim Al-Harbi and Abu Hatim verified him as reliable, and Ad-Daraqutni
said, “He is truthful.” Al-Harith was born in 186 H. And died on the day
of 'Arafa 282 H.
 

15. AL-HAKIM, Abu Abdullah:
Abu 'Abdullah, Muhammed 'Abdullah An-Nishapuri Al-Hakim known as Ibn
Al-Baiyi' was born in 321H. He was a celebrated Imam in the verification
of Hadeeth. He authored Al-Mustadrak in the methodology of Hadeeth. It
is said that he studied under one thousand professors and authored many
valuable books. Al-Hakim was pious and religious. He died in Safar 405 H.
 

16. IBN HIBBAN, Abu Hatim Ibn Hibban:
Abu Hatim, Muhammad bin Hibban bin Ahmad bin Hibban Al-Busti was born in
Bust in Sijistan. He was one of the celebrities in the knowledge of Hadeeth,
pious, Faqih, learned and one of the students of Ibn Khuzaimah. He died
in Samarqand in 354 H., while in his eighties.
 

17. IBN KHUZAIMA, Muhammad bin Ishaq:
Ibn Khuzaima, Muhammad bin Ishaq was born in 223 H. In Nishapur. He was
considered as a Sheikh-ul-lslam (the most learned 'Aalim of Islam) and
one of the eminent and senior Hafidh. He was the Imam and Hafidh of
Khurasan during his time. He also authored more than 140 books. Ibn
Khuzaima died in Nishapur in 311 H.
 

18. IBN ABU KHAYTHAMA:
Abu Bakr, Ahmad bin Abu Khaythama Zuhair bin Harb An-Nasa'I Al-Baghdadi
was a celebrated Imam, Hafidh and an authority. He authored At-Tarikh
Al-Kabir. Ad-Daraqutni said about him, “He was reliable and
trustworthy.” Al-Khatib also said, “He was reliable 'Aalim (learned),
accurate Hafidh, knowledgeable in the history of people, and the
narration of poetry.” He studied Hadeeth under Ahmad bin Hanbal and Ibn
Ma'in. Ibn Abu Khaythama died in Jumada-ul-Ula 289 H., at the age of 94
years.
 

19. AD-DARAQUTNI, 'Ali bin Umar: Abul-Hasan, 'Ali bin 'Umar bin Ahmad
bin Mahdi Al-Baghdadi. He was nicknamed after a big store called Dar
Al-Qutn in Baghdad. He was a great Hafidh and a unique Imam who was born
in the year 306 H. He was the authority in the methodology of Hadeeth,
the knowledge of the weaknesses of the Hadeeth narrations and names of
the Hadeeth narrators of his time. Ad-Daraqutni died on 8th Dhul-Qa'da
385 H.
 

20. AD-DARIMI, 'Abdullah bin 'Abdur-Rahman: Abu Muhamrnad, 'Abdullah bin
'Abdur-Rahmnan bin Al-Fadl bin Bahram At-Tamimi Ad-Darimi As-Samarqandi
was born in the year 181 H. He was a celebrated Imam, Hafidh and
Sheikh-ul-Islam of Samarqand and the author of Al-Musnad Al- 'Aali. He
heard Hadeeth at Al-Haramain, Khurasan, Ash-Sham, Iraq and Egypt.
Muslim, Abu Da'ud, At-Tirmidhi, An-Nasa'i and others transmitted Hadeeth
from him. He was described to be very intelligent and very virtuous and
was considered to be an exemplary person in piousness, patience,
hardwork, worship and abstinence. Ad-Darimi died on 8th Dhul-Hijja 255H.
 

21. ABU DA'UD, Sulaiman bin Da'ud At-Tayalisi: Sulaiman bin Da'ud bin
Al-Jarud Al-Basri was a Persianby origin and the freed slave of
Az-Zubair. He was a great Hafidh and one of the eminent 'Ulama.
Al-Qallas and Ibn Al-Madini both said about him, “I have not seen
someone who is more versed with the Hadeeth more than him.” Ibn Mahdi
said, “He is a most truthful person.” He recorded Hadeeth from more than
one thousand scholars. Abu Da'ud died in the year 204 H.
 

22. IBN ABU AD-DUNYA, 'Abdullah bin Muhammad bin 'Ubaid: Abu Bakr,
'Abdullah bin Muhammad bin 'Ubaid bin Sufyan bin Abu Ad-Dunya Al-Qurashi
Al-Baghdadi, the freed slave of Banu Umaiya, was born in 208 H. He was a
Muhaddith and truthful 'Aalim. He wrote some books and educated more
than one of the caliphs' sons like Al-Mu'tadid. Ibn Abu Ad-Dunya died in
Jumada Al-Ula, 281 H.
 

23. ADH-DHUHLI, Muhammad bin Yahya:
Abu 'Abdullah, Muhammad bin Yahya bin 'Abdullah bin Khalid bin Faris,
the freed slave of Banu Dhuhl was born in 170 of the Hijra. He was a
Sheikh-ul-lslam and Amir-ul-Mu'minin in the knowledge of Hadeeth and
theHafidh of Nishapur. He acquired Hadeeth from many professors in
Al-Haramain, Ash-Sham, Egypt, Iraq, Ar-Ray, Khurasan, Yemen and
Al-Jazira and became very competent in this field and became the
authority of knowledge in Khurasan. Ahmad said, “I never saw someone who
knows the Hadeeth of Az-Zuhri from Muhammad bin Yahya than Adh-Dhuhli.
He died in Rabl '-ul-Awwal, 258H.
 

24. ABU ZUR'A AR-RAZI, 'Ubaidullah bin Abdul-Karim: 'Ubaidullah bin
'Abdul-Karim bin Yazid bin Faroukh, Abu Zur'a Ar-Razi Al-Qurashi by
clientship was a Hafidh and an eminent scholar of the Hadeeth. He was
also considered among the Imam of 'Al-Jarh wat-Ta'dil (the critical
study of the Hadeeth narrators). Muslim, At-Tirmi&i, An-Nasa'i, Ibn
Majah and others narrated Hadeeth from him. Adh-Dhahabi said, “Many
people heard Hadeeth from him in Al-Haramain, 'Iraq, Ash-Sham,
Al-Jazira, Khurasan, and Egypt.” He was also well acclaimed for his
memorization, brightness, piousness, sincerity, knowledge and the good
application of his knowledge. Abu Zur'a Ar-Razi died towards the end of
264 H. At the age of 64 years.
 

25. IBN AS-SAKAN, Sa'id bin 'Uthman: Abu 'Ali Sa'id bin As-Sakan
Al-Baghdadi was born in 294 H. He was a celebrated Hafidh and an
authoritative Imam. He paid much attention to the study of Hadeeth, and
collected and wrote books on Hadeeth, thus becoming very famous in this
field. Ibn As-Sakan died in the year 353 H.
 

26. SA'ID bin Mansur: Sa'id bin Mansur bin Shu'ba Al-Marwazi or
At-Taliqani then Al-Balkhi lived near Makkah. He authored the book
As-Sunan. Imaam Ahmad bin Hanbal praised him immensely. Harb Al-Karmani
said, “He (Saiid) dictated to me about ten thousand Hadeeth from his
memory.” Sa'id bin Mansur died in Makkah in Ramadan 227 H, while in his
nineties.
 

27. ASH-SHAFI'EE, Muhammad bin Idris: Abu 'Abdullah, Muhammad bin ldris
bin AI-'Abbas bin 'Uthman bin Shafi'ee bin As-Sa'ib bin 'Ubaid bin 'Abd
Yazid bin Hashim bin 'Abdul-Muttalib bin 'Abd Manaf Al-Qurashi Al-Makki
was born in 150 H. in Ghaza and was taken to Makkah while a baby. He
lived in Egypt where he died in 204 H. He was considered to be one of
the most learned persons amongst the Muslim Ummah, unique, learned and
the founder of the science of Usul Al-Fiqh (the principles of
jurisprudence). His grandfather Shafi'i was a Sahabi who met the Prophet
while a growing up boy. Imaam Shafi'ee's book, ar-Risaala on Usool
al-Fiqh has been translated to English (Islaamic Texts Society - UK,
1961) and is available with us for reference.
 

28. IBN ABEE SHAIBA, Abu Bakr:
Abu Bakr 'Abdullah bin Muhammad bin Abee Shaiba Ibrahim bin 'Uthman bin
Hawasi Al-'Ansi (by clientship) was a unique Hafidh. He authored
Al-Musnad wal-Musannaf and other books. He was a leader in the knowledge
of Hadeeth and Abu Zur'a, Al-Bukhari, Muslim, Abu Da'ud and Khalaf
narrated it from him. Abu Bakr died in Muharram, 235 H.
 

29. AT-TABARANI, Sulaimman bin Ahmad:
Abul-Qasim, Sulaiman bin Ahmad bin Ayub bin Mutair Al-Lakhmi At-Tabarani was
born in 260 H. in Tabariya As-Sham. He was an authoritative Imam and
narrated Hadeeth from more than one thousand scholars. He left Ash-Sham to
acquire the knowledge of Hadeeth and spent thirty-three years of travelling
in its pursuance. He authored many interesting and amusing books, among them
are Al-Mu'jam Al-Kabir, Al-Mu'jam Al-Awsat, and Al-Mu'jam As-Saghir.
At-Tabarani lived in Asfahan and died there on 27th Dhul-Qa'da, 360 H.
 

30. AT-TAHAWI, Ahmad bin Muhammad:
Abu Ja'far, Ahmad bin Muhammad Salama bin Salama Al-Azdi Al-Misri
At-Tahawi Al-Hanafi was born in the year 228 H. or 227 H. He was
nicknamed after a village called Taha in Egypt. He was a follower of the
Shafi'ee Madhaab (school of jurisprudence) and a student of Al-Muzni,
his nephew until the latter one day told him, “By Allah, you will never
became anything.” At-Tahawi then became angry and moved to Abu 'Imran
Al-Hanafi and not only became a Hanafi (a follower of the Hanaf Madhhab)
but very enthusiastic in proving the Hanafi Madhhab by strengthening the
reports, adducing the Hadeeth weakened by the others as evidence to
support his Madhhab. Al-Baihaqi also said that he used to weaken the
unfavourable Hadeeth to his Madhhab through methods not approved of by
the scholars of the Hadeeth. Among his most famous books is Sharh Ma'ani
Al-Athar. At-Tahawi died in the beginning of Dhul-Qa'da,321 H.
 

31. IBN 'ABDUL-BARR, Yusuf bin 'Abdullah: Abu 'Umar, Yusuf bin 'Abdullah
bin Muhammad bin 'Abdul-Barr bin 'Asim An-Namari Al-Qurtubi was born in
Rabi'-uth-Thani, 368 H. He was a celebrated learned Imam and was the
Sheikh-ul-lslam and Hafidh of Al-Maghrib (North West Africa). He was
considered as the master of his time in the memorization and accurate
rendering of the Hadeeth. He was also skilled in the science of
genealogy and history. Ibn Hazm said, “I cannot talk about the knowledge
of the Hadeeth like 'Abdul-Barr, so how can I do better than him?” He
has authored many books, the most famous of which is Al-Isti'ab. Ibn
'Abdul-Barr died on a Friday in Rabi'-uth-Thani, 463 H. At the age of 95
years.
 

32. 'ABDUL-HAQ bin 'Abdur-Rahman: Abu Muhammad, 'Abdul-Haq bin
'Abdur-Rahman bin 'Abdullah bin Husain bin Sa' id Al-Azdi Al-Ishbili was
born in 510 H. He was a Hafidh and an authority in the knowledge of
Hadeeth. He resided in Bijaya in Spain where he spread his knowledge and
authored books. He was famous and a celebrated 'Aalim and was appointed
as the Khatib of Bijaya. He was a Faqih and knowledgeable in the
methodology of the Hadeeth, its weak ones and the history of the Hadeeth
narrators. He was also described to be virtuous, pious and a strict
follower of the Sunnah. He also took interest in the arts and recited
poetry. 'Abdul-Haq died in Bijaya in Rabi'-uth-Thani, 581 H.
 

33. 'ABDUR-RAZZAQ bin Humam: Abu Bakr, 'Abdur-Razzaq bin Humam bin Nafi'
Al-Himyari (by clientship) As-San'ani was considered as one of the
strongholds of knowledge.Ahmad, Ishaq, Ibn Ma'in and Adh-Dhuhli narrated
Hadeeth from him. He became blind in his old age and became senile.
'Abdur-Razzaq died in 211 H. At the age of 85 years.
 

34. IBN 'ADI, 'Abdullah: Abu Ahmad, 'Abdullah bin 'Adi Al-Jurjani was
born in 279 H.He was a famous Imam, an eminent Hafidh and one of the
celebrated 'Ulama. He was also nicknamed Ibn Al-Qisar. Ibn 'Adi died in
Jumada-ul-Akhir, 365 H.
 

35. AL-'AQILI, Muhammad bin 'Amr: Abu Ja'far, Muhammad bin 'Amr bin Musa
bin Hamad Al-'Aqili was a Hafidh, an Imam and the author of Kitab
Ad-Du'afa' Al-Kabir. He was a celebrated scholar, and the author of many
books. Al-'Aqili lived in Al-Haramain and died in 322 H.
 

36. 'ALI bin Al-Madini: Abul-Hasan, 'Ali bin 'Abdullah bin Ja'far bin
Najih As-Sa'di by clientship - Al-Madini was born in 161 H. And was
considered as the most knowledgeable person regarding the Hadeeth of the
Prophet  and Al-Bukhari said in this context, “I never belittled myself
before anyone else except before 'Ali Al-Madini.” He was considered to
be the Imam of Al-Jarh wat-Ta'dil, the Hafidh of his time and the
exemplary of Ahl Al-Hadeeth (the scholars of the Hadeeth). 'Ali
Al-Madini died at Samira in present Iraq at a place called Katibata
Al-Qa'qa in the year 234 H.
 

37. IBN AL-QATTAN, 'Ali bin Muhammad: Abul-Hasan, 'Ali bin Muhammad bin
'Abdul-Malik Al-Fasi was born in Qurtuba in Spain in 562 H. And lived in
Fas in Morocco. He was a Hafidh, an Imam and a learned critic of the
Hadeeth methodology. Moreover, he was more knowledgeable about the
Hadeeth methodology and the mastery of the names and history of the
narrators of the Hadeeth than anyone else of his time. He also authored
many books and died in Rabi'-ul-Awwal, 628 H.
 

38. IMAM MALIK, Malik bin Anas:
Abu 'Abdullah, Malik bin Anas bin Malik bin Abu 'Aamir AI-Asbahi (Dhi
Asbah, his ninth grandfather was from one of the noblest tribes of
Yemen) was born in 93 H. or 94 H. He was the Imam of Dar Al-Hijra
(Al-Madina), the Faqih of the Ummah and the leader of Ahl al-Hadeeth. He
studied under more than nine hundred professors and a large number of
people learnt from him, among them being Imam Ash-Shafi'ee.  The Muwatta
of Imaam Malik has been translated to English.
 

39. IBN MANDA, Muhammad bin Ishaq:
Abu 'Abdullah, Muhammad bin Ishaq bin Muhammad bin Yahya bin Manda was
born in 310 H. And was a Hafidh, an Imam and a traveller. He was also
one of the eminent scholars, who mastered many Hadeeth. It is said that
he travelled all over the Muslim world of his time and returned with
about forty loads of books and his teachers were one thousand seven
hundred. Ibn Manda died in Dhul-Hijja 395H.
 

40. ABU NU'AIM, Al-Asfahani: Ahmad bin 'Abdullah bin Ahmed bin Ishaq bin
Musa bin Mahran Al-Asfahani was born in Rajab 334 H. He was a famous
Hafidh, one of the eminent Muhaddithin and one of the great Huffaz. He
studied under the celebrated scholars and himself taught many virtuous
'Ulama. He authored many books, among them Al-Mustakhraj 'Ala
Al-Bukhari, and Al-Mustakhraj 'Ala Muslim and Huliyat-ul-Awliya, which
is one of the best books. It is said that when he took it to Nishapur,
it sold for four hundred Dinar. Al-Asfahani died in Safar or 20th
Muharram, 430 H. at-Asfahan.
 

41. ABU YA'LA, Ahmad bin 'Ali: Al-Hafiz Ahmad bin 'Ali bin Al-Muthanna
bin Yahya bin 'Iesa bin Hilal At-Tamimi was born in Shawwal, 210 H.He
authored AI-Musnad AI-Kabir and was considered as the Muhaddith of
Al-Jazira. He was truthful, trustworthy, tolerant and religious.
As-Sam'ani said, “I heard Ismaiil bin Muhammad bin Al-Fadl Al-Hafiz say:
'I read the Musnad of Al-'Adani, the Musnad of Ibn Mani'' and other
Masanid, which are like rivers, but the Musnad of Abu Ya'la is like the
sea into which all the rivers flow'.” Abu Ya'la died in the year 307 H.