The other thing in the science of Hadīth
is the multiplicity of the chains of transmission for the same Hadīth. This means that a Hadīth is reported from the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) through more than one chain of narrators. So, one Hadīth may have two, three, or four Isnāds (chains of transmission) and sometimes ten or even more.
The more the chains of transmission are, the stronger the Hadīth is and the more authentically attributed to the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) it is. A Hadīth narrated by more than ten reliable narrators at all levels of transmission is called “Mutawātir” (collectively transmitted) and this constitutes the best type of transmission among Muslims. The greater the significance of an issue in Islam is, like the pillars of this religion, the more the Mutawātir narrations and Isnāds about it are, and vice versa; when a certain matter falls under secondary or recommended issues, there is less attention paid to it and fewer Isnāds for the Hadīths dealing with it.
The greatest attention paid by Muslims in terms of narration and the accuracy of transmission was devoted to the Noble Qur’an. This noble book received utmost attention represented by writing it down and memorizing it, as well as perfecting its words, articulation, and recitation. It was transmitted via Isnāds through thousands and thousands over the successive generations. Hence, it has not been subject to any distortion or alteration over the years. The Mus-haf (hard copy of the Qur’an) recited in Morocco is the same as the one recited in the East or in any region around the globe, in confirmation of the verse that says:{It is We Who have sent down the Reminder, and it is We Who will preserve it.}[Surat al-Hijr: 9]
{It is We Who have sent down the Reminder, and it is We Who will preserve it.} [Surat al-Hijr: 9]
A last word:
This is the religion of Islam which declares Allah Almighty as the One and Only God and whose motto is “there is no god worthy of worship but Allah”. This is Islam which Allah has approved as a religion for His servants.
{Today I have perfected your religion for you, completed My favor upon you, and have chosen Islam as your religion.}[Surat al-Mā’idah: 3] This is the religion of Islam other than which Allah Almighty accepts no religion from anyone.{Anyone who seeks a religion other than Islam, never will it be accepted from him; and in the Hereafter he will be among the losers.}[Surat Ᾱl ‘Imrān: 85]This is the religion of Islam which if one believes in and acts rightly, one will be among the blissful winners in Paradise.{As for those who believe and do righteous deeds, they will have gardens of Paradise as a dwelling place, abiding therein forever, never desiring to leave.}[Surat al-Kahf: 107-108] This is the religion of Islam, which does not exclusively belong to a certain group of people or a specific ethnicity. Rather, whoever believes in this religion and calls people to it becomes one of its worthy followers and the most honorable in the sight of Allah Almighty:{Indeed, the most noble of you before Allah is the most righteous among you.}[Surat al-Hujurāt: 13]
We should bring to the reader’s notice certain matters that act as a barrier between people and this religion and prevent them from embracing it:
First: Ignorance about the religion of Islam in terms of its creed, Shariah, and ethics. People tend to be hostile towards what they do not know. So, the one interested in knowing Islam should read and read and read until he gets acquainted with this religion from its original sources. He should read with an unbiased and fair mind that seeks only for the truth.
Second: Fanaticism for the religion, habits, and culture in which one has grown up without thinking deeply and deliberately about whether or not this religion is true. Driven by nationalistic fanaticism, one tends to reject any other religion than the religion of one’s forefathers. Indeed, fanaticism
blinds eyes, deafens ears, and stiffens minds, preventing one from thinking freely and without bias, and thus one cannot distinguish the light from darkness.
Third: Personal whims and desires, which drive people’s thinking and will towards what they want and ruin them without them knowing it. They prevent people from accepting the truth and submitting to it.
Fourth: The existence of some mistakes and aberrations among some Muslims, which are falsely ascribed to Islam itself, whereas this religion is totally innocent
of them. It should be known to everyone that the religion of Allah is not responsible for people’s errors.
The easiest way for knowing the truth and reaching guidance is to turn towards Allah Almighty with our hearts, humbly imploring Him to guide us to the straight path and the true religion which He loves and approves, and through which one attains a good life in this world and eternal bliss in the Hereafter, never followed by misery or hardship. And we should know that Allah Almighty responds to the call of a supplicant when he invokes Him as He says: {When My slaves ask you concerning Me, I am indeed near. I respond to the call of the supplicant when he calls upon Me; so, they should respond to Me and believe in Me, so that they may be guided.} [Surat al-Baqarah: 186].
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