What is khabar e waahid and what is the status of Khabar e Waahid Ahadith in Shariah?

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.

1)Khabr Wahid, literally means a tradition or report going back to one single authority. However, terminologically, it refers to that narration which does not fulfil the requirements of Mutawatir. [i][i]

Such narrations can be evaluated from two perspectives,

Theoretically

Practically

Theoretically, such narrations do not impart positive knowledge on its own (Qat’a) unless it is supported by extraneous or circumstantial evidence.[ii][ii]

Practically, such narrations still remain obligatory to act upon and failure to comply with the obligations of Shariah results in great Sin. [iii][iii]

2)Popularity of a hadith is loosely based upon its significance within Shariah. Those commandments of Shariah which hold more significance have been reported with multiple chains of narrations or extraneous evidences, whereas those commandments which have less significance have been narrated less frequently.

This concept is not only found within Shariah but can also be understood within our day to day lives. The more a particular idea/commandment is repeated/narrated the more importance the speaker is trying to place upon that idea/commandment. Therefore, failure to comply to such emphasised idea’s/commandments, the more severe the violation.

Accordingly, there is no blame or criticism upon the Sahabah, neither the Tabioon nor beyond for a hadith not becoming extremely popular. Rather, the Sahabah, Tabioon and those who came after, all fulfilled the command of Nabi (Sallalahu Alayhi Wasallam)

Translation: The prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) said, “Convey (my teachings) to the people even if it were a single sentence. (Bukhari, 3461)[iv][iv]

Therefore, today we have a countless amount of Hadith present ahead of us today.

3)It is important to note, the categorisation of the Hadith is not the only factor which decides the legal status of a commandment. Rather many more factors are considered, like whether the narration was actually acted upon by the Sahabah, Tabioon, or whether scholars deemed the narration as authentic despite the ‘apparent weakness’ in the chain of narration.[v][v]

However, loosely speaking a Khabr Wahid alone can be used for establishing Sunnah Muakkadah. If a particular order has been established through many different Khabr Wahid it can also be used to establish Wajib.[vi][vi]

4)We are unaware of the exact statements of Moulana Munaazir Ahsan Geelani. Nevertheless, the understanding provided above of Sahabah being intentionally stopped from narrating particular hadith to reduce its legal status is an incorrect understanding. Rather, the Sahabah were encouraged to narrate the Ahadith as shown from the aforementioned hadith.

5)Books that consist of similar discussions and answers to misconceptions regarding ahadith are

a) Hujjiyati Hadith by Mufti Taqi Usmani (Urdu)

b) Taareekh Tadween Hadeeth by Moulana Abdur Rashid Numani (Urdu and English)

C) Hadith: Status and Role: An Intriduction to the Prophets Tradition by Abul Hasan Ali Nadwi (English)

D) Kitabat e Hadith Ahd e Rislat o Ahd Sahaba mein by Mufti Rafi Usmani (Urdu)

E) Nusratul Hadith by Moulana Habib ur Rahman Azmi (Urdu)

We appreciate your interest for the field of Hadith and recommend you identify a local scholar who may be able to clarify any such misconceptions and who may aid you in furthering your knowledge in the science of Hadith.

And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best

Mohammed

Student Darul Iftaa

UK

Checked and Approved by,
Mufti Ebrahim Desai.