If we want to see a picture of the Prophet’s time we need to capture the scenes within the various Hadeeth, filling an album with displays and bringing the pieces together. The collective texts, just like a picture speaks a thousand words. No scene will be left unimagined, no puzzle left unsolved if only we collect and gather. The Quraan has been kept between its covers but the Sunna has been dispersed so it needs to be gathered and brought together.
From Imaam Zuhree (d124AH) to Imaan Albanee (d1420AH) the scholars of Hadeeth were the gatherers of the truth and the ones who brought a picturesque view of the Prophet’s time. During the time of Zuhree the people requested details of the slander of Aaeyshah so what did Zuhree do? He gathered the collective narrations from his various teachers from amongst the students of the companions. Thus the picture was painted. During the time of Albaani the people requested details of the Prophet’s Salaat so what did Albaani do? He gathered the collective narrations from the various books of Hadeeth writing a book ‘the Prophet’s prayer described, from Takbeer to Tasleem as if you were seeing it.’ Thus the picture was painted. So how can we abandon this methodology of reviewing the collective verses and narrations? Then we would not be aware of the grand inheritance of our Prophet with all its estates and treasures. Is a precious gem the same as a chest full of treasures? Is a precious narration the same as the treasures of the collective narrations?
Then who would oppose the gathering of collective evidences from the Qur’aan and Sunna except a fool or a miser who wishes to keep the treasures buried and left unspent. Allah brings forth the treasures through the trustworthy ones of every generation just like He brings forth the gentle vegetation through the purity of the returning rain. From Zuhree to Albaani the teaching amongst the Hadeeth scholars was the same- the instruction to bring forth the collective narrations. Thus we begin to see the scenes of that blessed time when Muhammad the Messenger of Allah was walking the earth and living amongst his companions.
Kamillah Khan
