The Hadith (Tradition)

As for the holy hadith, it is of great importance in Islamic sciences, for it explains objectively and comprehensively all the religious precepts which Allah has mentioned in the Holy Qur'an. It mentions their kinds, which are: obligatory (wajib), forbidden (muharram), desirable, (mustahab) reprehensible (makkruh), and permissible (mubah). It mentions their parts, their conditions, their legal impediments, and all necessary things concerning them. It specifies and limits the general (verses) of the Book. It mentions the manners of behavior and rules of morals. Moreover it gives methods that make man happy and set right his character.

Any how, Imam Zayn al-Abidin, peace be on him, was the greatest and most important narrator in Islam, and his narration is of great importance with the traditionalists, especially as it concerns those traditions reported by al-Zuhri on his authority. Abu Bakr b. Abi Shayba said: "The most authentic chain of authorities is al-Zuhri on the authority of Ali b. al-Hussein on the authority of his father on the authority of Ali.¹" The Imam, peace be on him, reported a large group of traditions on the authority of his grandfather, the greatest Prophet, may Allah bless him and his family, of Imam Ali, the Commander of the faithful, peace be on him, of his father Imam al-Hussein, peace be on him, and of others. We will mention some of his narrations:

* The Life of Imam Zayn al-Abidin. By Baqir Sharif al-Qarashi.

1- Ibid.