| Al-Muwatta of Imam Malik – 7th Century (2nd Generation Muslim after Sahabah) |
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In this article, we aim to highlight the superiority of Al-Muwatta and the methodology of Imam Malik ibn Anas, to counter Salafi / Ahle Hadees misinformation.
| The Al-Muwatta is definitely sidelined, mostly because of Salafi propaganda. This comesfrom Imam Malik’s methodology, ie his way of thinking, where he includes Sahih Hadith in The Muwatta but does not put them ahead of the living tradition (Sunnah), which directly contradicts the Salafi school of thought, causing significant disagreement. |
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Imam Malik ibn Anas (d. 179 AH was a Tabi’un (2nd Generation) who put together the Al-Muwatta, which is one of the oldest and best collections of Hadeeth and Islamic ruling.
Like Imam Abu Hanifa (Nouman bin Thabit), Imam Malik ibn Anas was an ACTUAL SALAF since both of them were second-generation muslims who had met and interacted with the Sahabah (رضي الله عنهم).
The Al-Muwatta was meticulously compiled over a span of 40 years by a scholar who lived and taught in Medina. Recognised as the most esteemed Muwatta, with each hadith, Islamic ruling, and narration carefully selected for its authenticity. This dedication to precision has ensured that even after 1000 years, it remains one of the most respected works in Islamic history.
Al Muwatta was the best book of hadith before Sahih Bukhari, Sahih Muslim, and others.
| “After the Book of Allah, there is no book on the face of the earth sounder than the book of Al-Muwatta of Imam Malik ibn Anas.” Imam-Shāfi’ī |
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Mashallah, respect for each other was immense (ie Imam Malik and Imam Shafi).
| Salafi scholar tries to Discredit Al-Muwatta |
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Listen to how this modern Salafi scholar uses his Shaykh to devalue Al-Muwatta in favour of Saheeh Bukhari. He states Sahih Bukhari & Sahih Muslim are now agreed upon to be the most authentic, without giving a conclusive reason why, apart from saying it’s a time-related issue. He closes his argument by implying Imam Shāfi’ī’s statement about Al-Muwatta was time-related and that Imam Shāfi’ī knew that in the future, greater books than Al-Muwatta would come into being (ie Sahih Bukhari & Sahih Muslim).
Listen to the Salafi scholar, and see if it makes sence, what point he is trying to prove.
| Unquestionable Connection with Medina |
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The Al-Muwatta of Imam Malik details the Sunnah of the People of Medina (Al Madinah Al Munawwarah), the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ مُحَمَّد city, where the Prophet ﷺ mosque, Al-Masjid an-Nabawi (The Prophet’s Mosque) is located, and the burial is within the mosque’s complex (Sacred Chamber (al-ḥujra al-nabawiyya))
The Al-Muwatta was written by Imam Malik, not long after the passing of the Prophet ﷺ مُحَمَّد, and while many Sahabah (رضي الله عنهم) were still alive, and the practises of the Muhammad ﷺ مُحَمَّد and Sahabah (رضي الله عنهم) were still fresh in the minds of the muslims.
The Sunnah of the people of Prophets City was given precedence over everything else.
The reasoning behind this from Imam Malik was that the 1st (sahabah) & 2nd Generation (Tabaeen) (Both=Real Salaf) will have remained steadfast on the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ مُحَمَّد way ie it’s inconceivable that the people of medina would have gone astray so soon after the demise of the Noble Prophet ﷺ. Therefore, the actions of the people of Medina were the primary source for the legal rulings of Imam Malik.
| Every Sunnah is a Hadeeth, but every Hadeeth is not a Sunnah. |
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and
“I leave behind me two things, The Quran and My Sunnah and if you follow these you will never go astray” -Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) |
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Never forget the above 2 quotes, you will stay strong, and stay on the stright path…Ahle Sunnah wal Jamaa’ah Deoband.
| Amal vs Hadeeth |
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Imam Malik bin Anas considered the agreed-upon practice (‘Amal ahl’ Madina) of the people of Medina (as a primary source) stronger than isolated hadith, as they inherited the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ مُحَمَّد sunnah directly. He notably held that their consensus was definitive, emphasizing that if you see the people of Madinah practicing something, it is the true, authentic Sunnah.
This continuation of the concept of following the agreed-upon practices of people of medina (‘Amal ahl’ Madina) was not a newly invented concept but rather the tradition of the time. Meaning in other words , the Original Salaf, (not the 20th century Salaf), continued the legacy of following the traditions which they equated to the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ مُحَمَّد.
| “the Golden Chain” (Silsilat al-Dhahab) – the most authentic chain in islam. |
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Furthermore, the most authentic chain of narration (isnad) during the life of Imam Malik bin Anas (93-179 AH) is known as the “the Golden Chain” (Silsilat al-Dhahab), recognized even by scholars like Imam al-Bukhari & Imam Muslim as the most authentic, typically:
Imam Malik <<< Nafi’ (Imam Malik teacher) <<< ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar (Sahabi) <<< Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ)
In addition, many of the Sahih Hadeeths in Sahih Al-Bukhari & Sahih Muslim are taken from Al-Muwatta of Imam Malik.
Therefore, Al-Muwatta could be argued to be more accurate and precise in terms of hadeeths, chains, and the Sunnah of Ahle Madina. So why is the Al-Muwatta very rarely mentioned?
| The Muwatta is definitely sidelined, primarily because of Salafi propaganda. This stems from Imam Malik’s methodology, where he includes Sahih Hadith in The Muwatta but does not give them precedence over the living tradition (Sunnah), which directly contradicts the Salafi school of thought, causing significant disagreement. |
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| Comparison Table |
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Imam Malik bin Anas VS Imam Muhammad al-Bukhari
| Imam Malik bin Anas | Imam Muhammad al-Bukhari | |
| Generation | 2nd | 4th |
| Birth Place | Medina | Bukhara (more than 3000 kilometers in the 9th century) from Medina. |
| Salaf (1st, 2nd, and 3rd) | Yes | No |
| Tabi’ al-Tabi’in (2nd, and 3rd) | Yes | No |
