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Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Glimpses of Shi'ism in the Musnad of Ibn Hanbal Introduction The Musnad of Ibn Hanbal is probably the first of the six books of hadi-th considered authentic by Sunni Muslims, since its author died 15 years before the death of the senior-most of the six hadi-th compilers, Muhammad bin Isma-‘i-l al-Bukha-ri- (d. 256 AH), and 62 years before the last of them, Ahmad bin Shu‘ayb al-Nasa-’i-, passed away (303 AH).

Throughout history, Sunni scholars have attached great importance to Ibn Hanbal’s Musnad and eulogized it. Ha-fiz Abu Musa- Madyani- (581 AH), writes: This book is a great source and a reliable reference work for researchers of hadi-th. The author has selected from the bulky hadi-th literature, a large number of narrations to serve as guidelines and support for the people so that when differences arise they take refuge in them and cite them as authentic.

[^3] Shams al-Di-n Muhammad bin Ahmad al-Dhahabi- (748 AH) writes: This book focuses on the hadi-th of the Prophet. There are very few hadi-th not included (in this collection) whose authenticity has been confirmed...One of the fortunate things about the Musnad is that we find very few hadi-th which are considered inauthentic. [^4] Ibn al-Jazari- (833 AH) is even more ecstatic about Ibn Hanbal’s Musnad, and says: On the face of the earth no better book of hadi-th has been compiled.

[^5] Ibn Hajar al-‘Asqala-ni- writes in Tajri-d Zawa-’id al-Musnad al-Bazza-z: If a hadi-th is mentioned in Musnad Ibn Hanbal, other Masa-ni-d are not cited for its sources. Jala-l al-Di-n al-Suyuti- (849-911 AH) [^6] says: Even the weak hadi-th found in it are near to hasan (fair). [^7] Although these expressions are a clear exaggeration, they nonetheless confirm the importance of this book for the Sunnis.

In the light of historical accounts, it was a habit among the Sunnis of the past to recite this book in the presence of scholars of hadi-th, and at times such a recitation would be held in a sacred place.