Hadith Terminologies
Types and Grades of Accepted Hadith (Based on Conditions of Acceptance)
Sahih li-Dhatihi (Authentic in Itself):
The Hadith which fulfills the five conditions of authenticity:
SB (a) EB Its chain (Sanad) is connected, meaning every narrator received it directly from his teacher.
SB (b) EB Every narrator is just (‘Adil’), i.e., avoids major sins, does not persist in minor sins, is of good nature and morals. He is perfect in memory and precision, i.e., preserves the Hadith accurately by writing or memorization and transmits it properly.
SB (c) EB It is not a ‘Shadh’ (contradictory) Hadith.
SB (d) EB It is not ‘Ma‘lul’ (defective).
Explanation of ‘Shadh’ and ‘Ma‘lul’ will follow.
SB (a) EB Its chain (Sanad) is connected, meaning every narrator received it directly from his teacher.
SB (b) EB Every narrator is just (‘Adil’), i.e., avoids major sins, does not persist in minor sins, is of good nature and morals. He is perfect in memory and precision, i.e., preserves the Hadith accurately by writing or memorization and transmits it properly.
SB (c) EB It is not a ‘Shadh’ (contradictory) Hadith.
SB (d) EB It is not ‘Ma‘lul’ (defective).
Explanation of ‘Shadh’ and ‘Ma‘lul’ will follow.
Sahih li-Ghayrihi (Authentic Due to Supporting Chains):
When a Hasan (good) Hadith has more than one chain of narration, it can rise from the rank of Hasan to the rank of Sahih (authentic). This is called "Sahih Lighairihi" because it attains the level of authenticity due to its other chains (other Sanads).
Hasan li-Dhatihi (Good in Itself):
The Hadith whose some narrators are "light in precision" (Khafif ad-Dabt) compared to narrators of Sahih Hadith, but all other conditions remain the same.
Hasan li-Ghayrihi (Good Due to Supporting Chains):
The Hadith which has multiple chains (Sanads), each having slight weakness, but the weakness is compensated by the multiple chains, then it attains the rank of "Hasan Lighairihi" (good due to others).
