The scholars of the Hadith literature divided the Traditions into categories according to the degree of authenticity and reliability, each category had to meet certain criteria. The categories are as follows:
1. Sahih: The genuine Traditions, the authentic ones.
2. Moothaq: Almost like the Sahih but the narration is not as strong as those of the Sahih.
3. Hassan: The fair Traditions although in
ferior in matter of authenticity.
4. Dha'eef: The weak Traditions which are not so reliable. In Shari'ah (Islamic Constitution) deeds and actions are divided into five classes:
1. Fardh or Wajib: An obligatory duty the omission of which is Islamically punishable.
2. Mustahab: An action which is rewarded, but whose omission is not punishable.
3. Mubaah: An action which is permitted but legally is indifferent.
4. Makrooh: An action which is disapproved by the Shari'ah but is not under any penalty.
5. Haram: An action which is forbidden, and Islamically punishable.1
The Forged (Fabricated) Hadiths
1. History of Fabrication:
a. During Bani Umayya's Rule. During Bani Al-Abbas's Rule, in particular with the advent of the schools of thought in Islam.
2. By the year 200 H.: Total of 600,000 Hadiths were in existence, out of which 408,324 Hadith were fabricated Hadiths by 620 forgers.2
3. Most Notorious Forgers: Ibn Jundub, Abu Bukhtari, Ibn Basheer, Abdullah Al-Ansaari, Al-Sindi. Ibn Au'jaa professed before he was hanged that he alone had forged 4,000 Hadiths.3
4. Reason to Fabricate:
a. Financial incentive by the Khalifas, for example Mu'awiya awarded Ibn Jundub and others hundreds of thousands of dinars for coming forth with Hadiths that suited him.4
b. As a means of self-promotion in the government. In a drive to enhance a particular school of thought. Fanaticism for a school of thought at the expense of others.5
5. Al-Qassassoon (The story-tellers): Their operation and major role in the public.
