What are the books that a beginner student of hadith is advised to read in the science of hadith terminology?
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The questioner : Shaykh, you mentioned a good program for the short time available regarding the science of hadith terminology, meaning you guide us to the science of men (narrators). How do we start with the books for a beginner who wants to delve into this science?
The Shaykh : My brother, setting up such programs is the work of specialists in formulating programs for any of the sciences. However, we advise beginners in the science of hadith, regarding terminology, to focus on studying "Al-Ba'th al-Hathith Sharh Ikhtisar 'Ulum al-Hadith" by al-Hafiz Ibn Kathir al-Dimashqi, and "Al-Ba'th al-Hathith" by Shaykh Ahmad al-Qadi al-Misri. If he studies this book, comprehends it, and understands it, he should occupy himself with studying some books on the men (narrators), the most important of which at this first stage is "Mizan al-I'tidal fi Naqd al-Rijal." If he is able to add to it the complete book called "Lisan al-Mizan," that would be something beneficial. After that, he should gradually expand his knowledge in the science of terminology, then expand in the science of men. Regarding the science of terminology, he should return to the original of this book, which is "Ikhtisar 'Ulum al-Hadith." Its original source is: "'Ulum al-Hadith" by Ibn al-Salah, and he should focus on its commentary, which is the work of al-Hafiz al-'Iraqi, titled "Al-Taqyid wa al-Iydhah." Then, if he is able to reach a third level, he should return to the original of the book "'Ulum al-Hadith," which is "'Ulum al-Hadith" by al-Hakim, the author of al-Mustadrak, and "Al-Kufiyyah fi 'Ulum al-Riwayah" by al-Khatib al-Baghdadi. And so he proceeds and advances, rising from book to book. If he understands these books, which are clear in expression, he should then return to some of the dense books that contain abundant knowledge and little text, for example: "Al-Nukhba" by Ibn Hajar al-'Asqalani. It is better that he refer to its commentary, the commentary on "Al-Nukhba," because the text of "Al-Nukhba" is very dense and concise, and it requires a distinguished and strong scholar in the science of terminology. As for the commentary, it is easier, if Allah wills.
The questioner : "Nukhbat al-Fikr," after what you have mentioned...
The Shaykh: Yes.
The questioner : Yes, regarding the 'illahs (defects), the books on 'illahs.
The Shaykh : My brother, setting up such programs is the work of specialists in formulating programs for any of the sciences. However, we advise beginners in the science of hadith, regarding terminology, to focus on studying "Al-Ba'th al-Hathith Sharh Ikhtisar 'Ulum al-Hadith" by al-Hafiz Ibn Kathir al-Dimashqi, and "Al-Ba'th al-Hathith" by Shaykh Ahmad al-Qadi al-Misri. If he studies this book, comprehends it, and understands it, he should occupy himself with studying some books on the men (narrators), the most important of which at this first stage is "Mizan al-I'tidal fi Naqd al-Rijal." If he is able to add to it the complete book called "Lisan al-Mizan," that would be something beneficial. After that, he should gradually expand his knowledge in the science of terminology, then expand in the science of men. Regarding the science of terminology, he should return to the original of this book, which is "Ikhtisar 'Ulum al-Hadith." Its original source is: "'Ulum al-Hadith" by Ibn al-Salah, and he should focus on its commentary, which is the work of al-Hafiz al-'Iraqi, titled "Al-Taqyid wa al-Iydhah." Then, if he is able to reach a third level, he should return to the original of the book "'Ulum al-Hadith," which is "'Ulum al-Hadith" by al-Hakim, the author of al-Mustadrak, and "Al-Kufiyyah fi 'Ulum al-Riwayah" by al-Khatib al-Baghdadi. And so he proceeds and advances, rising from book to book. If he understands these books, which are clear in expression, he should then return to some of the dense books that contain abundant knowledge and little text, for example: "Al-Nukhba" by Ibn Hajar al-'Asqalani. It is better that he refer to its commentary, the commentary on "Al-Nukhba," because the text of "Al-Nukhba" is very dense and concise, and it requires a distinguished and strong scholar in the science of terminology. As for the commentary, it is easier, if Allah wills.
The questioner : "Nukhbat al-Fikr," after what you have mentioned...
The Shaykh: Yes.
The questioner : Yes, regarding the 'illahs (defects), the books on 'illahs.
Source
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The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.