WAEC Islamic Religious Studies (IRS) 2021 Theory — Question 3

Model answer

(a) Muttafaqa 'Alayhi: a hadith is said to be Muttafaqa 'Alayhi if it is reported by Imam Bukhari and Imam Muslim in their books in almost exact wording. (b) Sahih: a hadith is said to be Sahih if all its chain of reporters are reliable and it does not contradict any established fact in the Qur'an or contradict a more authentic chain. (c) Hasan: a hadith is said to be Hasan if its chain of reporters are not as reliable as that of Sahih. (d) Da'if: this refers to weak traditions which are related to be reported from the Prophet but could be weak as a result of a problem in the chain of reporters or the context. (e) Gharib: a hadith is said to be gharib if it is reported by only one person; this type can be sahih, hasan or da'if. (f) Mashhur: a hadith is said to be mashhur if it is reported by more than two reporters but does not reach the level of mutawatir (widely narrated). It is a type of sahih. (g) Munqati': a hadith is said to be munqati' if one of the chain of reporters is missing and cannot be identified; it is a type of da'if. (h) Mawdu': mawdu' is also a type of da'if; a hadith is referred to as mawdu' if it is fabricated.