First Virtue:

Hafiz Ibn Hajar (may Allah have mercy on him) narrated from Imam al-Bukhari that Imam Bukhari said: “I compiled the Sahih from six hundred thousand hadiths over sixteen years and made it a proof between me and Allah.” So this book serves as a testimony between Imam al-Bukhari and Allah — that he undertook this effort for the sake of preserving the religion. This is a great virtue: to author such a book that becomes a proof in one’s favor before Allah.

Similarly, in response to a Hindu who wrote a blasphemous book titled *Rangeela Rasool*, Maulana Sanaullah Amritsari wrote *Muqaddas Rasool*. According to Maulana Izzaz Ali, if none of Maulana Sanaullah's other works are considered, even this one book is sufficient for his salvation. Likewise, his book *Haq Prakash* was a powerful rebuttal to *Satyarth Prakash*. Just as these works became proofs for their authors, so did Imam Bukhari’s *Sahih* become a great favor upon the Muslim Ummah, for it compiled authentic hadiths in one place.

Second Virtue:

‘Umar ibn Muhammad Bajiri said: “I heard Imam Bukhari say: ‘I compiled my book Al-Jami‘ in Masjid al-Haram, and I did not include any hadith in it without first praying two units (rak‘at) of prayer and seeking Allah’s guidance (Istikhara), ensuring its authenticity.’”

Muhammad ibn Yusuf al-Farabi narrated that Imam Bukhari said: “I did not write a single hadith in my *Sahih* except after performing ghusl (ritual bath) and praying two rak‘at.”

This adds another significant virtue: the book was written in Masjid al-Haram with such deep spiritual care and reverence.

Objection:

It is already mentioned that Imam Bukhari said he spent 16 years compiling the book. Does this mean the entire book was compiled in Masjid al-Haram? This seems contradictory, since Imam Bukhari did not stay in Makkah for that entire period.

Answer:

The answer is: Imam Bukhari began the compilation, structure, and chapter headings in Masjid al-Haram. Later, he travelled for specific hadiths to include under those chapters. Therefore, the framework began in Masjid al-Haram, while the collection of content continued throughout his travels.

Third Virtue:

Hafiz Ibn ‘Adi reported from several scholars: “Imam al-Bukhari compiled the chapter headings of his *Sahih* between the Prophet’s grave and his pulpit.” This is a place of great virtue, as the Prophet ﷺ said: “Between my house and my pulpit is a garden from the gardens of Paradise.” (Sahih al-Bukhari: 6588) So the compilation of these chapters in such a blessed place adds to the book’s merit.

Objection:

If Imam Bukhari compiled the book in Masjid al-Haram, how can he also say he compiled parts of it between the Prophet’s grave and pulpit?

Answer:

There is no contradiction. Imam Bukhari began the original draft in Masjid al-Haram. Later, the transfer from draft to final copy (from *maswada* to *mubayyada*) took place in Masjid al-Nabawi, specifically between the grave and the pulpit.

Fourth Virtue:

Imam Abu Ahmad al-Hakim said: “May Allah have mercy on Imam Muhammad ibn Isma‘il, for he compiled the foundational principles and clarified hadiths for the people. Everyone who came after him took from his book. For example, Imam Muslim copied much from his book and showed great diligence, though he did not attribute it to him.”

Abu al-Hasan al-Daraqutni said: “Muslim used Bukhari’s book as a source, extracted from it, and added a few extra hadiths of his own.”

This demonstrates the high status of *Sahih al-Bukhari*, as even great scholars took it as a reference and drew from it.

Fifth Virtue:

Hafiz Abu Nasr al-Wa’ili al-Sijzi said: “There is consensus among scholars, including jurists, that if a man swore an oath involving divorce that all the hadiths narrated in Bukhari directly from the Prophet ﷺ are authentic, and if not then his wife is divorced — the divorce would not occur. She would remain his wife.”

This shows that one can swear an oath upon the authenticity of *Sahih al-Bukhari*.

Sixth Virtue:

Abu Zayd al-Marwazi said: “I was sleeping between the Yemeni corner and the Maqam of Ibrahim when I saw the Prophet ﷺ in a dream. He said to me: ‘O Abu Zayd! How long will you keep studying the book of Imam al-Shafi‘i and not study my book?’ I asked: ‘O Messenger of Allah, what is your book?’ He replied: ‘The Jami‘ of Muhammad ibn Isma‘il.’”

This dream signifies a major virtue of *Sahih al-Bukhari*, as the Prophet ﷺ referred to it as *his* book in the dream of Abu Zayd al-Marwazi.

Source:

Taken from *Mir’at al-Bukhari* by Muhaddith Noorpuri (may Allah have mercy on him), pages 163 to 168.