Stories of the Scholars
Imam Muslim
الإِمَام مُسْلِم بْنُ الْحَجَّاجِ رَحِمَهُ اللهُ
Author Sahih Muslim (d. 261 H)
Muslim bin Al-Hajjaj An-Naisaburi was a student and contemporary of Imam Bukhari who compiled his second most authentic book of hadith, Sahih Muslim. He is known for his very systematic compilation methodology - collecting all the lines (sanad) of a hadith in one place, making it easier to study comparative history. Together with Sahih Bukhari, his work forms what is known to Muslims as "Ash-Shahihain" (the two most authentic books), the main reference in determining the degree of authenticity of a hadith.
1Compiler of the Second Sahih
Muslim bin Al-Hajjaj An-Naisaburi (204–261 H) was born in Naisabur, traveled to various countries to study hadith, and studied among others with Imam Al-Bukhari, whom he highly respected. He is one of the greatest hadith imams in history.
📖 QS At-Taubah: 122
2Sahih Muslim and Method of Compilation
The Sahih Muslim Book is compiled using a very neat method: collecting all the lines of one hadith in one place, making it easier to compare sanads. Together with Sahih Al-Bukhari, he is known as "Shahihain" — the two most authentic books after the Koran.
📖 QS Al-Hijr: 9
3Morals and Death
Muslim was a merchant who was wara' and independent, not dependent on people's gifts. He died in Naisabur in 261 AH. His legacy became the second pillar of authentic hadith narration studied throughout the Islamic world.
📖 QS Al-Baqarah: 197