The Bukhari Hadiths - Most important hadith collection in Islam
July 2010

Hundreds of thousands of hadiths (traditions) claim to tell of the teaching and actions of Mohammed and his close followers. Early Muslims sifted through these to try to figure out which were genuine. There are six collections of hadiths that are considered "sahih" or authentic and authoritative by Sunnis. They are regarded by them as almost as important as the Qur'an itself. The longest is the nine volume Sahih al-Bukhari, which contains 7,275 Hadiths. The following are things of interest to both Muslim and non-Muslim readers from Bukhari's collection. These quotes are taken from The Translation of the Meanings of Sahih Al-Bukhari Arabic-English by Dr. Muhammad Mushin Khan, Islamic University, Medina Al-Munawwara in Saudi Arabia.

No Worship of Mohammed

"Then Abu Bakr recited the Tashah-hud (i.e. none has the right to be worshipped but Allah and Mohammed is Allah's Apostle)... Abu Bakr said, 'Amma ba'du, whoever amongst you worshipped Muhammad, then Muhammad is dead, but whoever worshipped Allah, Allah is alive and will never die. Allah said: 'Muhammad is no more than an Apostle'" Bukhari vol.2 book 23 (Book of Funerals) ch.3 no.333 p.188-189.

Yet Muslims had a very high regard for Mohammed. "By Allah, whenever Allah's Apostle spitted, the spittle would fall in the hand of one of the (i.e. the Prophet's companions) who would rub it on his face and skin; if he ordered them they would carry out" his orders immediately; if he performed ablution, they would struggle to take the remaining water; and when they spoke to him, they would lower their voices and would not look at his face constantly out of respect." Bukhari vol.3 book 50 (Conditions) ch.13 no.891 p.564-565.

No Intoxicating Drinks

"Narrated 'Aisha [a wife of Mohammed] The Prophet said, 'All drinks that produce intoxication are Haram (forbidden) to drink." Bukhari vol.1 book 4 (Book of Ablution) ch.75 no.243 p.153.

"Narrated Abu Huraira: 'The Prophet said, 'An adulterer, at the time he is committing illegal sexual intercourse is not a believer; and a person, at the time of drinking an alcoholic drink, is not a believer; and a thief, at the time of stealing is not a believer" Bukhari vol.7 book 69 (Book of Drinks) ch.1 no.484 p.339.

Muslims are also forbidden to sell wine, idols, and pork. Sahih Muslim vol.3 book 9 (Book of Business) ch.621-622 no.3835-3840 p.828-830. They cannot buy, sell, or carry wine. Ibn-i-Majah vol.4 book 30 (Book of Drinks) no.3380-3381 p.493-494; vol.4 book 30 no.3382 p.494. Selling alcohol is forbidden in Bukhari vol.1 book 8 (Book of Prayer) ch.73 no.449 p.267.

Did Mohammed Show the Moon Split in Two?

"The demand of the pagans to the Prophet to show them a miracle. The Prophet showed them the splitting of the moon. Narrated 'Abdullah bin Massud: During the lifetime of the Prophet the moon was split into two parts and on that the Prophet said, 'Bear witness (to this).'" Bukhari vol.4 book 56 (The Virtues and Merits of the Prophet and his Companions) ch.26 no.830 p.533.

"Narrated Anas that the Meccan people requested Allah's Apostle to show them a miracle, and so he showed them the splitting of the moon." Bukhari vol.4 book 56 (The Virtues and Merits of the Prophet and his Companions) ch.26 no.831 p.533.

"Narrated Ibn 'Abbas: The moon was split into two parts during the lifetime of the Prophet." Bukhari vol.4 book 56 (The Virtues and Merits of the Prophet and his Companions) ch.26 no.832 p.534.

Stars Are to Hit Devils?

"The creation of these stars is for three purposes, i.e. as decoration of the sky, as missiles to hit the devils, and as signs to guide travellers. So, if anybody tries to find a different interpretation, he is mistaken and just wastes his efforts..." Bukhari vol.4 book 54 (The Beginning of Creation) ch.3 translator's note before no.421 p.282.

Abu Huraira's Memory

"Narrated Abu Huraira: I said, 'O Allah's Apostle! I hear many narrations from you but I forget them.' He said, 'Spread your covering sheet.' I spread my sheet and he moved both his hands as if scooping something and emptied them in the sheet and said, 'Wrap it.' I wrapped it round my body, and since the I have never forgotten a single Hadith." Bukhari vol.4 book 56 (The Virtues and Merits of the Prophet and his Companions) ch.27 no.841 p.538. Also Bukhari vol.9 book 92 (Holding Fast to the Qur'an and the Tradition of the Prophet) ch.22 no.452 p.332; vol.1 book 3 (Book of Knowledge) ch.43 no.119 p.89.

Satan in Your Nose

"Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet said, 'If anyone of you rouses from sleep and performs the ablution [ritual washing], he should wash his nose by putting water in it and then blowing it out thrice, because Satan has stayed in the upper part of his nose all night."(1) The translator's Footnote (1) says, "We should believe that Satan actually stays in the upper part of one's nose, though we cannot perceive how, for this is related to the unseen world of which we know nothing except what Allah tells us through His Apostle." Bukhari vol.4 book 54 (The Beginning of Creation) ch.10 no.516 p.328.

Believing Mohammed When Flies Are Around

"Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet said, 'If a house fly falls in the drink of anyone of you, he should dip it (in the drink), for one of its wings has a disease and the other has the cure for the disease." Bukhari vol.4 book 54 (The Beginning of Creation) ch.16 no.537 p.338. See also Abu Dawud vol.3 book 21 (Book of Foods) no.3835 p.1080.

"Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah's Apostle said, 'If a fly falls in the vessel of any of you, let him dip all of it (into the vessel) and then throw it away, for in one of its wings there is a disease and in the other there is healing (1) (antidote for it) i.e. the treatment for that disease." Bukhari vol.7 book 71 (The Book of Medicine) ch.58 no.673 p.452-453.

Translator's footnote (1) says, "Medically it is well known now that a fly carries some pathagens [pathogens] on some parts of its body as mentioned by the Prophet (before 1400 years. approx. when the humans knew very little of modern medicine.) Similarly Allah created organisms and other mechanisms which kill these pathagens e.g. penicillin Fungus kills pathogenic organisms like Staphalococci [Staphylococci] and others etc. Recently experiments have been done under supervision which indicate that a fly carries the disease (pathagens) plus the antidote for those organisms. Ordinarily when a fly touches a liquid food it infects the liquid with its pathogens, so it must be dipped in order to release also the antidote for those pathogens to act as a counter balance to the pathogens. Regarding this subject I also wrote through a friend of mine to Dr. Muhammad M. El-SAMAHY chief of Hadith Dept. in Al-Azhar University CAIRO (Egypt) who has written an article upon this Hadith and as regards medical aspects he has mentioned that the microbiologists have proved that there are longitudinal yeast cells living as parasites inside the belly of the fly and these yeast cells in order to repeat their life-cycle protrude through respiratory tubules of the fly and if the fly is dipped in liquid, these cells burst in the fluid and the content of those cells is an antidote for the pathogens which the fly carries."

Almost all modern medical doctors, if they are not Muslim, would laugh at deliberately dipping a fly in your drink.

Mohammed Was Not Sinless

"Narrated Abu Huraira: ... What do you say in the pause between Takbir and recitation? The Prophet said, ... O Allah! Set me apart from my sins (faults) as the East and West are set apart from each other and clean me from sins as a white garment is cleaned of dirt (after thorough washing). O Allah! Wash off my sins with water, snow and hail." Bukhari vol.1 book 12 (Characteristics of Prayer) ch.8 no.711 p.398. See also Sura 40:55; 48:1-2, and Bukhari vol.1 book 2 (Faith) ch.13 no.19 p.23; vol.1 book 12 (Characteristics of Prayer) ch.57 no.781 p.434; vol.6 book 60 (Book of Commentary) ch.3 no.3 p.4; vol.8 book 75 (Invocations) ch.3 no.319 p.213.

Once Mohammed Was Bewitched (Under a Spell)

"Narrated 'Aisha: Magic was worked on the Prophet so that he began to fancy that he was doing a thing which he was not actually doing. One day he invoked (Allah) for a long period and then said, 'I feel that Allah has inspired me as how to cure myself.'..." Bukhari vol.4 book 54 (The Beginning of Creation) ch.10 no.490 p.317. See also vol.4 book 53 (Obligation of Khumus) ch.34 no.400 p.267, vol.8 book 73 (Good Manners) ch.56 no.89 p.56-57, vol.8 book 75 (Book of Invocations) ch.59 no.400 p.266-267. vol.7 no.658-660 p.441-443. Also see Sahih Muslim vol.2 book 4 (Book of Salat) ch.309 no.1888 p.411

Mohammed was bewitched. Narrated 'Aisha: The Prophet continued for such-and-such a period imagining that he has had sexual relation with his wife, and in fact he had not. One day he said, to me, "O 'Aisha! Allah has instructed me regarding a matter about which I had asked Him. There came to me two men, one of them sat near my feet and the other near my head. The one near my feet, asked the one near my head (pointing at me), 'What is wrong with this man?' The latter replied, 'He is under the effect of magic. The first one asked, 'Who has worked magic on him?' The other replied, 'Lubaid bin A'sam." The first one asked, What material (did use?).' The other replied The skin of the pollen of a male date tree with a comb and the hair stuck to it, Kept under a stone in the well of Dharwan.'" Then the Prophet went to that well and said, "This is the same well which was shown to me in the dream. The tops of its datepalm [date-palm] trees look like the heads of the devils, and its water looks like the Henna infusion."...'Aisha added, "(The magician) Lubaid bin A'sam was a man from Bani Zuraiq, an ally of the Jews." Bukhari vol.8 book 73 (Good Manners) ch.56 no.89 p.57 See also Bukhari vol.8 book 75 (Book of Invocations) ch.59 no.400 p.266

The Daughters of Allah

In Arabia before Mohammed, Mohammed's tribe, the Quaraysh, believed in a god named Allah (or Al'Ilah) who had three daughters, named Al-Lat, Al-Uzza, and Manat.

"Narrated 'Urwa, ... concerning the Ansar who used to assume Ihram for worshipping an idol called 'Manat' which they used to worship at a place called Al-Mushallal..." Bukhari vol.2 book 26 (Hajj Pilgrimage) ch.78 no.706 p.413.

"This verse was revealed in connection with the Ansar who used to assume the Ihram for the idol Manat which was put beside a place called Qudaid..."Bukhari vol.3 book 27 ('Umra Pilgrimage) ch.10 no.18 p.11. Al-Lat, Al-Uzza are mentioned in Bukhari. vol.8 book 74 (The Book of Asking Permission to Enter) ch.52 no.314 p.209; vol.5 no.375 p.259

Cancelled Verses of the Qur'an

"Then Allah revealed to us a verse that was among the cancelled ones later on." Bukhari vol.5 book 59 (Book of Military Expeditions) ch.27 no.416 p.288.

"Narrated Anas bin Malik: ... There was revealed about those who were killed at Bi'r-Ma'una a Qur'anic Verse we used to recite, but it was cancelled later on. The verse was: 'Inform our people that we have met our Lord. He is pleased with us and He has made us pleased.'" Bukhari vol.4 book 52 (Book of Jihad) ch.19 no.69 p.53. See also the History of al-Tabari vol.7 p.156. This is missing from Qur'ans today.

Other references to cancelled verses are Bukhari vol.4 book 52 (Book of Jihad) ch.8 no.57 p.45, Bukhari vol.4 book 52 (Book of Jihad) ch.184 no.299 p.191, and Bukhari vol.5 book 59 (Book of Military Expeditions) ch.27 no.421 p.293 all repeat the same thing about the same verse.

At one time Mohammed compromised and said concerning the daughters of Allah in Sura 53:19 that "their intercession was to be hoped for." Mohammed said we should hope for the help of these three idols.

Mohammed's followers were amazed that he said this. Later, Mohammed changed his tune and said Satan had deceived him. These verses were abrogated or taken out. Muslim scholars call these the "satanic verses." It is interesting to read Muslim explanations for how a true prophet could say this.

Contrast with Jesus

One thing Christians and most Muslims agree upon is that Jesus was sinless. For comparison, read of Jesus' life in the Gospels.

Mohammed and Selling Slaves

"Narrated Anas bin Malik: Allah's Apostle was on a journey and he had a black slave called Anjasha, and he was driving the camels..." Bukhari vol.8 book 73 (Good Manners) ch.95 no.182 p.117.

"Narrated Anas: ... And Anjashah, the slave of the Prophet [Mohammed], was driving their camels..." Bukhari vol.8 book 73 (Good Manners) ch.111 no.221 p.142.

"Narrated Jabir bin 'Abdullah: A man amongst us declared that his slave would be freed after his death. The Prophet called for that slave and sold him(1) The slave died the same year." The footnote for (1) says "The liberator was needy, so the Prophet sold the slave for him, permitting him to cancel his promise of freeing the slave after his death." Bukhari vol.3 book 45 (The Book of Mortgaging in Places Occupied by Settled Population) ch.9 no.711 p.427.

"Then a man called Rifa'a bin Zaid ... presented a slave named Mid'am to Allah's Apostle" Bukhari vol.8 book 78 (The Book of Oaths and Vows) ch.33 no.698 p.455.

"The Sale of Mudabbar (i.e. a slave who is promised by his master to be manumitted [freed] after the latter's death)." (433) Narrated Jabir: The Prophet sold a Mudabbar (on behalf of his master who was still living and in need of money)." Bukhari vol.3 book 34 (The Book of Sales i.e. Bargains) ch.112 no.433 & prior p.238.

"An Ansari man made his slave a Mudabbar and he had no other property than him. When the Prophet heard of that, he said (to his companions), 'Who wants to buy him (i.e. the slave) for me?' Nu'aim bin An-Nahham bought him for eight hundred dirhams." Bukhari vol.8 book 79 (Book of the Expiation of Unfulfilled Oaths) ch.7 no.707 p.464.

"Narrated 'Ammar: I saw Allah's Apostle and there was none with him but five slaves, two women, and Abu Bakr (i.e. those were the only converts to Islam then)." Bukhari vol.5 book 57 (the Companions of the Prophet) ch.6 no.12 p.8.

"He [Ibn Az-Zubair] sent her ['Aisha] ten slaves whom she manumitted [freed] as an expiation for (not keeping) her vow. 'Aisha manumitted more slaves for the same purpose till she manumitted forty slaves. She said, 'I wish I had specified what I would have done in case of not fulfilling my vow when I made the vow, so that I might have done it easily.'"(1)

Footnote (1) says, "'Aisha did not specify what she would do if she did not keep her promise, this is why she manumitted so many slaves so that she might feel at ease as to the adequacy of her expiation." Bukhari vol.4 book 56 (The Virtues and Merits of the Prophet and His Companions) ch.2 no.708 p.465.

"And 'Ata disliked to look at those slave girls who used to be sold in Mecca unless he wanted to buy." Bukhari vol.8 book 74 (The Book of Asking Permission) ch.2 no.246 p.162.

Sex with Slaves and Captives

"Can one travel with a slave-girl without knowing whether she is pregnant or not? Al-Hasan found no harm in her master's kissing or fondling with her.

Ibn 'Umar said, 'If a slave-girl who is suitable to have sexual relations is given to somebody as a gift, or sold or manumitted [freed], her master should not have sexual intercourse with her before she gets one menstruation so as to be sure of absence of pregnancy, and there is no such necessity for a virgin.'

'Ata said, 'There is no harm in fondling with one's pregnant (1) slave-girl without having sexual intercourse with her. Allah said: 'Except with their wives and the (women captives) whom their right hands possess (for in this case they are not to be blamed).'" Footnote (1) says, "Pregnant from another man, not her present master." Bukhari vol.3 book 34 (Book of Sales i.e. Bargains) ch.113 after no.436 p.239-240. (Same 'Ata as previous.)

"Narrated Abu Sai'id Al-Khudri that while he was sitting with Allah's Apostle he said, 'Oh Allah's Apostle! We get female captives as our share of booty, and we are interested in their prices, what is your opinion about coitus interruptus?' [a sexual practice] The Prophet said, 'Do you really do that? It is better for you not to do it, No soul that which Allah has destined to exist, but will surely come into existence." Bukhari vol.3 book 34 (Book of Sales i.e. Bargains) ch.111 no.432 p.237.

"Narrated Ibn Muhairiz: I entered the Mosque and saw Abu Sa'id Al-Khudri and sat beside him and asked him about Al-'Azl (i.e. coitus interruptus). Abu Sai'id said, 'We went out with Allah's Apostle for the Ghazwa [battle] of Banu Al-Mustaliq and we received captives from among the Arab captives and we desired women and celibacy became hard on us and we loved to do coitus interruptus. So when we intended to do coitus interruptus, we said, 'How can we do coitus interrupts before asking Allah's Apostle who is present among us?' We asked (him) about it and he said, 'It is better for you not to do so, for if any soul till the Day of Resurrection is predestined to exist, it will exist." Bukhari vol.5 book 59 (Book of Military Expeditions) ch.31 no.459 p.317. This says the same as Bukhari vol.8 book 77 (Book of al-Qadr) ch.3 no.600 p.391. In other words, what will be will be, so do not stop unnaturally part way. Mohammad never criticized sexually molesting captives or slaves that a man owns.

'Aisha and Zainab bint Jahsh

"Narrated Hisham's father: Khadija died three years before the Prophet departed to Medina. He stayed there for two years or so and then he married 'Aisha when she was a girl of six years of age, and he consummated that marriage when she was nine years old." Bukhari vol.5 book 58 (The Merits of the Ansar) ch.43 no.236 p.153. See vol.5 book 58 (The Merits of the Ansar) ch.43 no.234 p.152.

Zainab bint Jahsh was married to Mohammed's adopted son, until Mohammed spoke the Sura that she was to divorce his son and marry Mohammed. Zainab "used to boast before the other wives of the Prophet and used to say, 'Allah married me (to the Prophet) in the Heavens.'" Bukhari vol.9 book 93 (Monotheism) ch.22 no.517 p.382; also book 93 (Monotheism) ch.22 no.516,518 p.381-383. In other words, the eternally existing uncreated heavenly Qur'an had mentioned Zainab's marriage.

Islam and Women

"'How does anyone of you beat his wife as he beats the stallion camel and then he may embrace (sleep with) her?' And Hisham said, 'As he beats his slave.'" Bukhari vol.8 book 73 (Book of Good Manners) ch.43 no.68 p.42.

"Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah's Apostle said, 'Treat women nicely, for a woman is created from a rib, and the most curved portion of the rib is its upper portion so, if you should try to straighten it, it will break; but if you leave it as it is, it will remain crooked. So treat women nicely.'" Bukhari vol.4 book 55 (Book of the Prophets) ch.1 no.548 p.346.

"Narrated 'Abdullah bin Qais Al-Ash'ari: The Prophet said, 'A tent (in Paradise) is like a hollow pearl which is thirty miles in height and on every corner of the tent the believer will have a family that cannot be seen by the others.'" Bukhari vol.4 book 54 (Book of the Beginning of Creation) ch.7 no.466 p.306.

Women In the Eyes of Islamic Law

"Narrated Abu Sai'id Al-Khudri: The Prophet said, 'Isn't the witness of a woman equal half of that of a man?' The women said, 'Yes.' He said, 'This is because of the deficiency of the woman's mind." Bukhari vol.3 book 48 (Book of Witnesses) ch.12 no.826 p.502.

"he [Mohammed] said, 'Never will succeed such a nation as makes a woman their ruler.'" Bukhari vol.9 book 88 (Book of Afflictions) ch.18 no.219 p.171.

Temporary Marriage (Mut'a)

"Narrated 'Ali bin Abi Talib: On the day of Khaibar, Allah's Apostle forbade the Mut'a (i.e. temporary marriage) and the eating of donkey meat." Bukhari vol.5 book 59 (Book of Military Expeditions) ch.37 no.527 p.372. Bukhari vol.7 book 62 (Wedlock) ch.32 no.50,52 p.36,37 also discuss this. Most but not all Sunni Muslims do not practice temporary marriages, while many Shi'ite Muslims are taught that it is fine to do so.

Race Relations and Mohammed Owning Black Slaves

"Narrated Anas : The Prophet said, 'Listen and obey (your chief) even if an Ethiopian whose head is like a raisin were made your chief." Bukhari vol.1 book 11 (Book of Call of Prayer) ch.54 no.662 p.375 (also Ibn-i-Majah vol.4 book 24 (Book of Jihad) ch.39 no.2860 p.196) Bukhari vol.1 book 11 (Book of Call of Prayer) ch.55 no.664 p.376 says the same.

As mentioned before, Mohammed was a slave owner, who owned at least one black slave. (Bukhari vol.6 book 60 ch.316 no.435 p.407, vol.9 book 91 (Book of Information given by a Truthful Person) ch.3 no.368 p.275) Mohammed sold two black slaves to free another slave who had become a Muslim in Ibn-i-Majah vol.4 book 24 (Book of Jihad) ch.41 no.2869 p.202. Here are the quotes.

"Then I put on my cloths and went to Allah's Apostle's residence, and behold, he was staying in an upper room of his to which a black slave of Allah's Apostle was (sitting) on the first stop." (Bukhari vol.6 book 60 ch.316 no.435 p.407)

"Narrated 'Umar, I came and behold, Allah's Apostle was staying on a Mashroba (balcony room) and a black slave of Allah's Apostle was at the top of its stairs." (Bukhari vol.9 book 91 ch.3 no.368 p.275)

This one is interesting because Mohammed bought a slave who had become a Muslim (presumably to free him.) Instead of paying the former master cash, Mohammed sold two of his black slaves. The race of the first slave is not mentioned, but for some reason it was thought significant to record that the two slaves Mohammed sold were black, and it took two of them to buy the one slave.

"Jabir (Allah be pleased with him) is reported to have said that a slave came and pledged allegiance to the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) for emigration (Hijra) and the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) did not know that he was a slave. Then his master came searching him upon which the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, 'Sell him to me.' So he exchanged him with two black slaves. Then he [Mohammed] did not take an oath of allegiance from anyone after that, until he would ask him: Is he a slave?" (Ibn-i-Majah vol.4 book 24 (Book of Jihad) ch.41 no.2869 p.202)

On-line Bukhari hadiths are at

http://cwis.usc.edu/dept/MSA/fundamentals/hadithsunnah/bukhari/

and www.usc.edu/dept/MSA/fundamentals/hadithsunnah/

Comment for Christians

While you might feel very blessed that you do not have to believe and practice these things, do not act proud. If it were not for the grace of God, you might be trapped in that sort of bondage, where you thought you had to do these things to be pleasing to God. Sunni Muslim friends you have might not be very aware of their own books and might not know these things. Show this to them, and ask if this is what they really what they want to be involved with.

God wants us to love Him; he wants our hearts and our minds, as well as our behavior and actions. He does not want us to believe impure cures with flies, or impure actions with captives and slave girls. God wants us to follow what He taught us in His Word, the Bible, and Jesus, who was more than a just a prophet, but Isaiah called him Emmanuel (God with us).

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