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Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books The Shi'ah and Islamic Disciplines Chapter 2: The Precedence Of The Shi’ah In The Sciences Of Hadith This chapter comprises of a number of sections. Before we start it is pertinent to point out that the Shi’ah have precedence in this field. There existed sharp differences between the predecessors from among the and the tabi’i s as regards the issue of reducing knowledge to writing.

Many of them were averse to it while a group considered it permissible and actually embarked on recording it. Of the latter group were Ali and his son Hasan, as stated in al–Suyuti’s Tadrib al–Rawi. In fact, Ali peace be on him, had compiled, in a large scroll, what the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and his Household, dictated to him.

Al–Hakam ibn Uyaynah saw it with Imam al–Baqir when they disagreed on some issue, where upon the latter brought out the book and located the issue saying to al–Hakam: “This is Ali’s handwriting dictated to him by the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and his Household”. It was the first book of knowledge which was compiled during the lifetime of the Prophet. This inspired the Shi’ah who perceived the importance of recording and organizing knowledge.

Therefore, they embarked on it following the example of their Imams, whereas the non–Shi’ah who held that writing was prohibited remained behind.

Al–Suyuti mentioned in Tadrib that during the time of the and notable tabi’i s, works were not recorded or organized for a number of reasons: they were endowed with intelligence and enjoyed retentive memories, they had been forbidden from writing, as declared in Sahih Muslim , for fear that their works might mix with the Qur’an and lastly, because most of them were not good at writing.

But it might be objected that these only affected the companions and tabi’i s who were not, for the Shi’ah among them actually recorded and systematized the sciences following the example of the Commander of the Faithful, peace be on him. Section One: The First Compilers and Arrangers of Hadīth The first among the Shi’ah was Abu Rafi, a retainer of the Messenger of Allah, blessings of Allah be on him and his Household.