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Allah says in Quran: {Certainly did Allah confer [great] favor upon the believers when He sent among them a Messenger from themselves, reciting to them His verses and purifying them and teaching them the Book and wisdom, although they had been before in manifest error.} [3:164] {Just as We have sent among you a messenger from yourselves reciting to you Our verses and purifying you and teaching you the Book and wisdom and teaching you that which you did not know.} [2:151] {And those who believe and do righteous deeds and believe in what has been sent down upon Muhammad – and it is the truth from their Lord – He will remove from them their misdeeds and amend their condition.} [47:2] Therefore a Muslim must follow everything the Prophet (saw) says, everything he does, and everything he accepts and allows from the actions of those believers surrounding him. The Prophet whom Allah chose is the source of all knowledge, so from where should someone take his orders, his instructions and explanations? From the books of Ahlul-Sunnah? Or the books of the Ahle Tashayyu? 1- SAHIH AL-BUKHARI: Orders, sayings and instructions taken from the source of knowledge Muhammad (saw). -Bukhari has 7,593 narrations in his book with repetitions, plus 1,341 Mu`allaqat. -It is rare to find a non-prophetic narration in al-Bukhari, the vast majority of its narrations are prophetic sayings or orders or actions or description of his (saw) physical look or his interpretation of Qur’anic verses or decisions in military or economic matters or descriptions of his society and the location in which he lived (saw). A quick browse in the book by anyone easily shows that it is hard to find non-prophetic narrations in it. -After its chains of transmission have been analysed and scrutinized, the scholars of Ahlul-Sunnah have a consensus that the narrations in this book are all reliable and authentic except for maybe five or seven reports in which there is disagreement. 2- KAFI AL-KULAYNI: Orders, sayings and instructions taken from the source of knowledge Muhammad (saw). A quick browse through al-Kafi unveils that there is barely any mention of the Prophet (saw) in the book. The vast majority of its contents appear to be opinions and sayings of 5th and 6th Shia Imam. Everyone know that Allah ordered us in the Qur’an to follow the guidance and commands of the Prophet Muhammad (saw), there was no mention of any guidance that needs to be taken from other than Prophet. Prophetic narrations are those who explicitly state: The Prophet (saw) said this, or the Prophet (saw) did that etc. Moreover, Renowned Shia scholar of Hadith, Ayatullah al-`Allamah `Abdullah al-Mamaqani al-Najafi says in his book of Hadith sciences “Miqbas-ul-Hidaya” vol.1 pg.198: إن ثاني الشهيدين بعد نقله عن الأكثر عدم العمل بالحسن و الموثق لاشتراطهم في قبول الخبر: الإيمان, و العدالة, كما قطع به جماعة قال: و العجيب أن الشيخ (الطوسي) اشترط ذلك أيضا في كتبه الأصولية, و وقع له في الحديث و كتب الفروع الغرائب, فتارة يعمل بالخبر الضعيف مطلقا حتى أنه يخصص به أخبار كثيرة صحيحة حيث تعارضه باطلاقها, و تارة يصرح برد الحديث لضعفه, و أخرى يرد الصحيح معللا بأنه خبر واحد لا يوجب علما و لا عملا In summary he says that al-Shaheed al-Thani (Zayn-ul-Deen bin `Ali al-`Amili) narrated the opinion of the vast majority of the Shia scholars that one cannot use or work with the Hasan or Muwathaq narrations since the Shia placed two conditions to accept a narration: 1-Iman (Faith of the narrator). 2-`Adalah (Reliability of his narrations). In short, what the author is saying is that the Hasan Hadith has gathered the condition of Iman but lost that of `Adalah, while the Muwathaq has gathered the condition of `Adalah but lost that of Iman, and I add that the Hasan is superior to the Muwathaq in Shia Hadith since they care more about the religion of the man than his reliability as narrator. Summary of Prophetic narrations in Kafi: Total number of narrations in al-Kafi is taken from al-Shaheed al-Awwal as written in al-Ijtihad wal-Taqleed by al-Khu’i and is 16,199 narrations. As per authentication of al-Majlisi in “Mir’at al-`Uqoul” following are results.-TOTAL SAHIH: 285. / Percentage out of total in al-Kafi = 1.75%-TOTAL HASAN: 358. / Percentage out of total in al-Kafi = 2.21%-TOTAL MUWATHAQ: 128. / Percentage out of total in al-Kafi = 0.79%-TOTAL WEAK: 1,624. / Percentage out of total in al-Kafi = 10%-TOTAL UNGRADED: 13. / Percentage out of total in al-Kafi = 0.08%> TOTAL NUMBER OF PROPHETIC NARRATIONS: 2,408 out of 16,199 / Percentage out of total in al-Kafi = 14.86% with repetition. FURTHERMORE: -All “Sahih” narrations listed above are not connected to the messenger (saw), the chain usually stops at Ja`far al-Sadiq who was born 70 years after the death of the source of knowledge Muhammad (saw). -Only about one or two narrations in this entire book are actually connected to Prophet Muhammad (saw) such as the one from Jabir bin `Abdullah in volume 5, page 325, chapter “Worst of women.” -Almost every narration listed as “Hasan” above, comes through the path of one narrator and he is Ibrahim bin Hashim al-Qummi, whose reliability was not documented but is assumed to be “honest”. FINAL WORDS: The unbiased researcher who follows Allah’s instructions will naturally lean towards the book with the biggest number of authentic and connected prophetic narrations as the Qur’an has planted in our hearts the love of Muhammad (saw) and our eagerness to learn more about his noble life will drive us towards the best religious source. Original Source with more details. THOUGHTS?

Assalamu alaikum, I have saved up some money to buy some islamic books with and right now I can't choose between buying the first volume of al-Kafi in english or the shi'a hadith collection "The scale of wisdom", so I'm wondering if anybody has any of these books and can suggest one of them for me and the reasons why I should buy that one and not the other. Al-Kafi vol.1 costs about 13 pounds + shipping and The scale of wisdom 26 pounds + shipping (but it has over a 1000 pages). I don't have any other hadith collections so maybe the scale of wisdom would be a better choice?

Assalam o Alaikum all shia brothers and sisters, As you all know that the fundamental hadith collection of shia Islam on both Usul and Furu include Al-Kafi of Kulayni, Al-Faqih of Sadooq, Tahzib ul Ahkam and Al-Istibsar of Toosi, collectively called as Kutub e Arba (Four Books). But why these four basic books are not available in English (universal language), in searchable form, so that anyone can find and read narrations of Ahlebait easily, as Ahlul Sunnah have done (see alone sunnah.com, it include all major hadith books in searchable form for everyone, nothing is hidden). Famous and biggest shia website Al-islam.org have translated so many books in English, but not those four fundamental books. Primary & original source books are not available for everyone while secondary & duplicate soucre books are there. This is realy an astonishing fact. If any of the following basic shia hadith books are already available in English plz share dwonload/online links. I will be very thankful to you. 1. Al-Kafi 2. Al-Faqih 3. Tehzib ul Ahkam 4. Al-Istibsar also these books. 5. Uyun Akhbar Al-Reza (a.s) of Sadooq 6. Firaq ul Shia of Naubakhti 7. Hayat ul Qulub of Majlisi 8. Ma'ani Akhbar of Sadooq 9. Sahih Al-Kafi of Baqir Bahbudi 10. Illal Sharai of Sadooq Jazak Allah Khairan

Does the Shia follow the Prophet’s traditions? Question by: Suran Explanation: Do you know the traditions of the prophet? Do you act upon the prophet’s traditions? First Question Dear friend, if you take a quick look into our books you will find that they are filled with narrations and traditions from the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.S) (SAWS). On the other hand, according to Ibn Athir Jezri[1] the six righteous books of the Sunni’s, having omitted repeated narrations and traditions, has 9483 narrations whereas on the Shia references, Usool Al Kafi alone has 16199 narrations. Also notice that according to many narrations from Imam Sadegh and Imam Bagher (A.S) they state that they take all their narrations from their fathers and from their grandfathers Imam Ali (A.S) and the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.S) and they never narrate from themselves and never compare either. Take a look at this narration as an example: حدّثنا أحمد بن محمّد، عن الحسن بن محبوب، عن أبي حمزة الثمالي، عن جابر قال أبو جعفر عليه السلام : يا جابر! واللّه لو كنا نحدث الناس أو حدّثناهم برأينا لكنّا من الهالكين ولكنّا نحدّثهم بآثار عندنا من رسول اللّه‏ صلي الله عليه و آله و سلم يتوارثها كابر عن كابر يكنزها كما يكنز هؤلاء ذهبهم وفضّتهم. بصائر الدرجات ص 320 ، باب 14: باب في الأئمة ان عندهم أصول العلم ما ورثوه عن النبي ص لا يقولون برأيهم حديث Imam Bagher (A.S) said: Oh Jaber, by Allah, if we narrate or issue a ruling based on our own opinions we shall be doomed. We narrate and issue rulings to people based on the works and narrations which have been passed on by one by one of the hearts to us[H1] and we protect these works and narrations just like the lovers of the world whom protect their gold and silver. الإمام الصادق‏ عليه السلام : «حديثي حديث أبي، وحديث أبي حديث جدّي ، وحديث جدّي حديث الحسين، وحديث الحسين حديث الحسن، وحديث الحسن حديث أميرالمؤمنين، وحديث أميرالمؤمنين حديث رسول اللّه صلي الله عليه و آله و سلم، وحديث رسول اللّه صلي الله عليه وآله وسلم قول اللّه عزّ وجلّ . جامع أحاديث الشيعة، ج 1، ص 127 باب 4 : باب حجية فتوى الأئمة المعصومين من العترة الطاهرة عليهم السلام بعد الفحص ، حديث 102 . Imam Sadegh (A.S) said: My sayings and narrations are those of my father’s, and that of my father’s is of my grandfather, and my grandfather’s narrations are the narrations of Hussain (A.S) and Hussain’s (A.S) narrations are of Hassan (A.S) and Hassan’s narrations are of Amirul Momenin [imam Ali (A.S)] and the narrations of Amirul Momenin are of the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.S) and the narrations of the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.S) are that of God Almighty. Therefore dear friend, we have enough knowledge of the Holy Prophet’s (S.A.W.S) traditions. Answer to the Second Question If you had studied a little bit about the manners and methods of the Shia you would have found that the only group which has defended the prophet’s traditions have been the shia whereas, unfortunately, it was the leaders of the Sunni school which said “God’s book is enough for us and we do not need the prophets writings (meaning the traditions)”[2] in the event of Ghertas[3] when the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.S) asked for paper and pen to write something and insure the Islamic nation from being misled forever. صحيح البخاري ج7 ، ص 9 ،کتاب المرضي و الطب ، باب قول المريض قوموا عني و ج 8 ، ص 161، کتاب الإعتصام بالکتاب و السنة، باب كراهية الخلاف و ج1 ، ص 37 ، کتاب العلم ، باب کتابة‌ العلم Also, in those first days after the death of the prophet they gathered all the narrations of the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.S) and burnt them. قالت عائشة جمع أبي الحديث عن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم وكانت خمسمائة حديث فبات ليلته يتقلب كثيرا قالت فغمني فقلت أتتقلب لشكوى أو لشئ بلغك ؟ فلما أصبح قال أي بنية هلمي الأحاديث التي عندك فجئته بها فدعا بنار فحرقها ... تذكرة الحفاظ ، ذهبي ، ج1 ،‌ ص5 و علوم الحديث ، دكتر صبحي صالح ، ص30 . Aisha says: “My father had gathered 500 narrations of the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.S) (and put them with me) and he was agonized when he wanted to sleep at night.” Aisha continues saying “I asked my father: Is there a problem or have you heard some bad news that you are agonized like that? When morning came he said: Dear daughter, bring me the narrations which I have given to you, and I brought him the narrations, then he asked for some fire and burnt all of God’s prophet’s narrations… And just as they became the caliph’s they declared that people should put aside the traditions of the prophet and only speak of God’s book. The Holy Prophet (S.A.W.S) had predicted these days. We will quote two of such narrations as an example for you: وعن عبيد الله بن أبي رافع عن أبيه قال : قال رسول الله ( صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم ) لألفين أحدكم متكئا على أريكة يأتيه الأمر من أمري مما أمرت به أو نهيت عنه فيقول : لا أدري ، ما وجدنا في كتاب الله اتبعناه . مسند شافعي ص 151 ، باب ومن كتاب اليمين مع الشاهد الواحد ، و ص 234 ، باب ومن كتاب الرسالة إلا ما كان معادا ؛ سنن إبن ماجه ج1 ، ص 6 و 7 ، باب 2 : باب تعظيم حديث رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم والتغليظ على من عارضه ، حديث 13 ؛ سنن أبي داود ج 2 ، ص 392 ، باب 6 : باب في لزوم السنة ، حديث 4605 ؛ سنن ترمذي ج 4 ، ص 144 ، باب10 : باب ما نهى عنه أنه يقال عند حديث رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم ، حديث 2800 ؛ مسند ـ الحميدي ـ ج 1 ، ص 252 ، حديث 551. Abdullah ibn Abi Rafe’ [4]quotes his father saying: I heard the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.S) say: I see a day coming when one of you shall be leaning on the bench (of administration), a narration of mine, which I have either told you to do something or prevented you from something, shall be brought to him, so he shall say: What are these things [i don’t understand why we need them]?! I shall follow what I find in God’s book (whatever isn’t in the Quran has no authenticity for us). عبد الله بن أبي رافع عن أبيه أبي رافع قال : سمعت النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم يقول : ألا لا أعرفن ما بلغ أحدا منكم حديث إن كان شيئا أمرت به أو نهيت عنه فيقول وهو متكئ على أريكته : هذا القرآن ، ما وجدنا فيه اتبعناه وما لم نجد فيه فلا حاجة لنا به . جامع بيان العلم و فضله ـ ابن عبد البر ـ ج 2 ، ص 190 ، باب موضع السنة من الكتاب وبيانها له ، ناشر : دارالکتب العلمية ـ بيروت ـ سال چاپ 1398 ه . ق . Abdullah ibn Abi Rafe’ quotes his father saying: a narration of mine, which I have either told you to do something or prevented you from something, shall be brought to one of you, and while leaning on his chair he will say: God’s book is amongst you, whatever I find in the book I shall follow and that which I do not find in the Quran, I need not. (Notice that the narrations are encountered in such a way despite the Quran saying: ما آتاکم الرسول فخذوه و ما نهاکم عنه فانتهوا Surah Al-Hashr, Verse 7. So we should actually say that those whom treated the Holy Prophet’s (S.A.W.S) narrations in such a way were not following the Quran either). Also, the gathering[5] of hadith in the Sunni school started from the time Omar ibn Abdul Aziz[6] and before that period it was illegal to gather narrations. As you know, by the time Omar Ibn Abdul Aziz took power many of Sahaba and those who had memorized the narrations had died and the few who were left, due to the long period from the prophet’s death till that day, had forgotten much of the narrations they had heard because they were not allowed to express them, so it was natural to forget something which you have not repeated and expressed after such a long period. So you whom claim that you are the follower of the prophet’s tradition should ask yourself how much of the true traditions of the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.S) you have received. In my opinion, it would be more honorable if you call yourself the followers of the book instead of the followers of the tradition (اهل السنه). Doubts Group, Vali Asr Research Institution Acknowledgements: http://valiasr-aj.com/fa/page.php?bank=question&id=1318 and Pedram * Translation might not be precise ** Any editing ideas are welcomed :) [1] ابن اثیر جزری [2] حسبنا كتاب الله [3] قزطاس [4] عبيد الله بن أبي رافع [5] tadvin [6] عمر بن عبدالعزیز [H1]سينه به سينه به ما رسيده

(bismillah) (salam) I am looking for shia hadith collections, According to wikipedia, the major shia hadith collections are the "Al-Kutub Al-Arbʿah" or the 4 Books -Kitab al-Kafi -Man la yahduruhu al-Faqih -Tahdhib al-Ahkam -Al-Istibsar Does anyone know where i can get these in english? Much help appreciated. (salam)