An Investigation on Types of Isnād in the Four Ḥadīth Books

In Islam, ḥadīth stands second as a source of knowledge about religion and consists of two basic sections of sanad (chain of transmission) and text. Since long time ago, the Muslim thinkers have made great attempts in identifying the transmitters and the chains of transmission of ḥadīth as recommended by the Infallible Imams (A.S.) in the way of safeguarding ḥadīth. The styles used by ḥadīth scholars and the authors of the four ḥadīth books in reporting sanad or its summary is varied. This has caused serious difficulties in recognition of the kind of sanad for its evaluation, which requires a research on the introduction of different sanads. Using a descriptive-analytical method and aiming at resolving the problem of identifying sanad and facilitating its reconstruction, this writing is intended to introduce different types of isnād in kutub al-‘arba‘a (the four ḥadīth books) along with various samples; so that the sanad may be reconstructed before its evaluation.