Inclusion of Sunan Ibn Majah in the Sihah Sittah

The noble scholar, Allama Nawab Siddiq Hasan has referred to Sahihayn (Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim) and the four Sunan as the "Sihah Sittah" (The Six Authentic Books), as evident from his book Al-Hittah fi Dhikr al-Sihah al-Sittah. Even before him, many scholars have adopted the same view. Although there is no doubt that the four Sunan contain some weak narrations, based on the principle of "rulings follow the majority" (Hukm al-Akthar Hukm al-Kull), scholars who refer to these six collections as "Sihah Sittah" need not be criticized, according to the maxim: La mushahata fi istilah (There is no harm in terminologies).

Most scholars have accepted Imam Ibn Majah’s Sunan as one of the six authentic books, and this, in itself, is a testimony to his greatness and elevated status.

The Era and Early Life of Imam Ibn Majah

During the time when Imam Ibn Majah al-Qazwini reached maturity, his hometown Qazvin had become a flourishing center of knowledge, especially the sciences of Hadith. Several institutes of Hadith existed there. He first studied the early sciences in Qazvin and later entered Hadith circles to learn the science in depth. His teachers in Qazvin included: Ali ibn Muhammad Tanafisi, Amr ibn Rafi Abu Hajir Bajali, Isma’il ibn Tawbah Abu Sahl al-Qazwini, Harun ibn Musa ibn Hayyan al-Tamimi, and others.

Many narrations in Sunan Ibn Majah are transmitted from these Qazwini teachers, as can be observed in the book and from a study of his teachers. This indicates that he had already become a well-versed scholar and Hadith expert early in life.

His Journey in Pursuit of Knowledge

It was customary in that era for enthusiastic seekers of knowledge to travel to major centers after studying with local teachers. Ibn Majah did the same. He traveled to Makkah, Madinah, Kufa, Baghdad, Egypt, and Syria, studying Hadith under renowned scholars of those regions. Once he had gained mastery in Hadith sciences, he authored his famous work Sunan Ibn Majah. In addition, he wrote books titled As-Sunnah, a Tafsir of the Qur’an, and a valuable book on history. It is possible he authored even more works in the sciences.

Looking at the list of his teachers, one can gauge the caliber of scholars from whom he acquired knowledge.

Ibn Majah as a Teacher

Eventually, Imam Ibn Majah himself took up the role of teaching and trained students in Hadith. This can be better understood by reviewing the names and biographies of his students. The inclusion of Sunan Ibn Majah in the Sihah Sittah by scholars signifies the importance of both the book and its author. Even though the book contains some weak and even a few fabricated narrations, due to the rule of the majority, it is still generally referred to as a "Sahih" book.

Scholarly Praise and Validation

Ibn Khallikan (d. 681 AH) wrote: His book on Hadith is one of the six authentic collections. — Wafayat al-A’yan wa Anba’ Abna’ al-Zaman.

The same view has been expressed by Hafiz Ibn Kathir (d. 776 AH) in meaning — Al-Ba’ith al-Hathith p. 90. Likewise, it has been affirmed by Ibn Asakir, Al-Mizzi, Al-Dhahabi, Ibn Hajar, and Imam Abu al-Qasim al-Rafi'i, as can be found in books like Tahdhib al-Tahdhib, Taqrib al-Tahdhib, Kashf al-Zunun, and others.

Testimony from Imam Abu Zur’ah al-Razi

Imam Ibn Majah himself said: I presented this Sunan to Abu Zur'ah al-Razi. He examined it and said: ‘I believe that if this book reaches the hands of the scholars, it will render the majority of other comprehensive Hadith collections unnecessary.’ He then added: ‘There may not even be thirty Hadiths in it whose chain of narration is weak.’ — Tadhkirat al-Huffaz by Al-Dhahabi, Shurut al-A'immah al-Sittah p. 16, and other books of Rijal.

This statement from Abu Zur’ah demonstrates the significance of Sunan Ibn Majah. It is my belief that most of the narrations considered weak have supporting evidence or meaning-based corroboration which alleviates their weakness. Nevertheless, some narrations are indeed weak, and a few are even classified as fabricated. Still, this does not reduce the importance of the book.