The Four-Books (Kutub-Arba a): Advantages and Disadvantages

The collection of Four-Books of shi’a, as one of the most distinguished writings and works in the history of shi’a and as one of the truest and highest levels of knowledge in various skills and arts in science, including the skill of Hadith science, has been valid and true, and reliable to all the shi’ite scholars in all times. In this regard, there is no doubt, but the question is whether all the traditions and versions in that collection are valid and true. According to the studies made, all the traditions and versions in the shi’a Four-books are valid and reliable in narration and recounting and nobody can count them invalid without having a valid document. However, there is no doubt of existing contradictory items of news and traditions accused of exaggeration and overstatement in this concern. Although the latter is rarely found in the two books of Sheikh Tousi, it is true in those of Kulaini and Saddough. There = fore, no book is complete and perfect in complexities and problems, including the flaws in document and text. This paper seeks to study the advantages and disadvantages of the collection respectively from Al-Kafi’s book, Al-Faghih’s book and Tahdhabin while considering the editing and correcting of the four books and finally making some suggestions in this concern.