Definition
Any reported saying, action, tacit approval, or attribute of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. Each ḥadīth consists of an isnād (chain of narrators) and a matn (text).
Pronunciation: ḥa-DĪTH
Etymology & Root
From the root ح-د-ث (ḥ-d-th), meaning 'something new' or 'a report.' The Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ is called ḥadīth as it is the 'newly conveyed' speech distinct from the eternal Qur'an.
Usage in the Qur'an
'Then in what statement (ḥadīth) after this will they believe?' (al-Mursalāt 77:50) — referring to the Qur'an itself as a ḥadīth.
Usage in the Sunnah
The Prophet ﷺ said: 'Whoever lies upon me deliberately, let him take his seat in the Fire.' (Bukhārī 110, Muslim 3) — the foundation of the entire ḥadīth science.
Scholarly Notes
Distinguished from khabar (general report) and athar (often used for Companion or Tābi‘ī statements), though the terms overlap in usage. The science of ḥadīth (‘ulūm al-ḥadīth) is unique to this Ummah.
Practical Application
When you hear a saying attributed to the Prophet ﷺ, ask: 'What is its source and grading?' before sharing or acting upon it.
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Related Terms
More from Hadith Terminology
A Tābi‘ī narrates directly from the Prophet ﷺ — skipping the Companion.
Good — second grade of authentic hadith.
Singular reports — not mutawātir.
Agreed upon by Bukhārī and Muslim.
The Six Books — the major hadith collections.
Disconnected — a narrator missing in the chain.