Measuring Imam Muslim's Criterion in His Sahih: The Example of Imam Al-Thawri’s Tabaqat – A Statistical Study

Abstract

The research addresses one of the conditions set by Imam Muslim in his book "Al-Sahih," specifically his condition regarding the classifications of narrators. Understanding this condition highlights the value of the book through a new scientific approach. The extent to which this condition is met is measured through a comprehensive statistical analysis of the narrations from one of the most prominent figures featured in the correct hadiths of the book, Imam Sufyan al-Thawri, and the classifications of narrators from him.

      The study successfully measured Imam Muslim's condition in his "Sahih" based on the classifications of al-Thawri. Through accurate statistical analysis, a specific percentage was determined, revealing with high precision the extent to which Imam Muslim adhered to his condition regarding the classifications of narrators.

      The study found that the condition is highly fulfilled in his "Sahih." Imam Muslim frequently narrates from the first and second-class narrators, selectively choosing from the third class, much like Imam al-Bukhari does with the second class. However, Imam Muslim does not narrate from the fourth or fifth-class narrators in his "Sahih" in the classifications of al-Thawri, as concluded by the study's results.