INTRODUCTION
Imam Bukhari and his Book Sahih Al-Bukhari
It has been unanimously agreed that Imâm Bukhârî's work is the most authentic of all the other works in Hadîth literature put together. The authenticity of Al-Bukhârî's work is such that the religious learned scholars of Islâm said concerning him: "The most authentic book after the Book of Allâh (i.e. Al-Qur'ân) is Sahîh Al-Bukhârî."
Imâm Bukhârî was born on 13th Shawwâl in the year 194 A.H. in Bukhârâ in the territory of Khurâsân (West Turkistân). His real name is Muhammad bin Ismâil bin Al-Mughîrah Al-Bukhârî.
His father died when he was still a young child and he was looked after by his mother. At the age of ten he started acquiring the knowledge of Hadîth. He travelled to Makkah when he was sixteen years old accompanied by his mother and elder brother. It seemed as though Imâm Bukhârî loved Makkah and its learned religious scholars for he remained in Makkah after bidding farewell to his mother and brother. He spent two years in Makkah and then went to Al-Madîna. After spending a total of six years in Al-Hijâz which comprises Makkah and Al-Madîna, he left for Basrah, Kûfa and Baghdâd and visited many other places including Egypt and Syria. He came to Baghdad on many occasions. He met many religious learned scholars including Imâm Ahmad bin Hanbal.
Owing to his honesty and kindness and the fact that he was trustworthy he used to keep away from the princes and rulers for fear that he may incline to say things to please them.
Many a story has been told about Imâm Bukhârî regarding his struggles in collecting Hadîth literature. He travelled to many different places gathering the precious gems that fell from the lips of the noble Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. It is said that Imâm Bukhârî collected over 300,000 Ahadîth and he himself memorized 200,000 of which some were unreliable. He was born at a time
when Hadîth was being forged either to please rulers or kings or to corrupt the religion of Islâm.
It is said that Imâm Bukhârî (before compiling Sahih Al-Bukhârî) saw in a dream, standing in front of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ having a fan in his hand and driving away the flies from the Prophet ﷺ. Imâm Bukhârî asked some of those who interpret dreams, and they interpreted his dream that he will drive away the falsehood asserted against the Prophet ﷺ.
So it was a great task for him to sift the forged Ahadîth from the authentic ones. He laboured day and night and although he had memorised such a large number he only chose approximately 7,275 with repetition and about 2,230 without repetition of which there is no doubt about their authenticity.
Before he recorded each Hadîth, he would make ablution and offer a two Rak'at prayer and supplicate his Lord (Allâh). Many religious scholars of Islâm tried to find fault in the great remarkable collection — Sahih Al-Bukhârî, but without success. It is for this reason, they unanimously agreed that the most authentic book after the Book of Allâh is Sahih Al-Bukhârî.
Imâm Bukhârî died on first Shawwâl in the year 256 A.H., and was buried in Khartank, a village near Samarkand. May Allâh have mercy on his soul.
Dr. Muhammad Muhsin
Islâmîc University, Al-Madîna Al-Munawwara (Saudi Arabia)