The Number of Narrations by Abu Huraira
The esteemed companion Abu Huraira – may Allah be pleased with him – is well-known for his prolific narration of hadiths from the Prophet Muhammad – peace be upon him. He was among the most reliable companions in preserving the noble hadiths. Various reports indicate the count of his narrations, estimated to be around three thousand five hundred. Another report suggests that his narrations amount to five thousand three hundred seventy-four. The two foremost hadith scholars, Al-Bukhari and Muslim, agreed on a total of three hundred twenty-five of these narrations. Imam Al-Bukhari documented ninety-three narrations, while Imam Muslim recorded a hundred eighty-nine. It is also noteworthy that over eight hundred men narrated from him, as the hadith scholar Al-Dhahabi mentioned a total of five thousand three hundred seventy-four narrations attributed to Abu Huraira – may Allah be pleased with him.
Abu Huraira – may Allah be pleased with him – is recognized as one of the most prominent figures among the companions – may Allah be pleased with them. The Prophet Muhammad – peace be upon him – acknowledged Abu Huraira’s enthusiasm and dedication to knowledge, often recounting hadiths in his presence. For instance, Abu Huraira – may Allah be pleased with him – reported, “I went out with the Prophet – peace be upon him – into a garden, and he said: ‘O Abu Huraira, most of the people have perished except for those who say thus and thus, and they are few.’ I walked with him, and he further said: ‘Shall I not guide you to a treasure from the treasures of Paradise? It is: There is no power nor might except by Allah.’ He then said: ‘O Abu Huraira, do you know what is the right of Allah upon His servants?’ I responded: ‘Allah and His Messenger know best.’ He replied: ‘His right is that they worship Him and do not associate anything with Him.’ Then he asked: ‘Do you know what is the right of the servants upon Allah?’ I answered: ‘No, tell me.’ He replied: ‘Their right upon Allah is that if they do so, He will not punish them.’ I then said: ‘Should I not inform them?’ He instructed: ‘Let them perform their deeds.’
Abu Huraira earned the title “The Narrator of Islam,” having converted to Islam before the migration to Medina through the efforts of Al-Tufail ibn Amr Al-Dawsi. He was also known for his profound love and fear for the Prophet – peace be upon him – and displayed exceptional dedication in serving him, attending to his affairs. As a scholar of hadith and jurist, Abu Huraira’s eagerness for knowledge led to praise from the Prophet and acknowledgment from other notable companions.
Reasons for the Abundance of Abu Huraira’s Narrations
The distinguished companion Abu Huraira – may Allah be pleased with him – is recognized for his extensive collection of narrations. Those familiar with the life of the Prophet Muhammad – peace be upon him – will understand the reasons behind this. Some of these factors include:
- His constant companionship with the Prophet Muhammad – peace be upon him.
- His exceptional memory and intelligence.
- The clarity of his mind due to his sole focus on listening to hadiths and seeking knowledge from the Prophet Muhammad – peace be upon him.
- His frequent gatherings with the Prophet Muhammad – peace be upon him.
- His immense love for the Prophet Muhammad – peace be upon him.
- The blessings of the Prophet’s prayers for his memory retention.
- His willingness to ask the Prophet Muhammad – peace be upon him – about anything he found difficult to understand, engaging actively in discussions regarding the hadiths.
- His long life, which allowed him to narrate a significant number of hadiths, as he passed away at the age of seventy-eight.
- His commitment to seeking knowledge, without taking on public office.
- His observance of the Prophet Muhammad – peace be upon him – in both demeanor and actions to benefit himself and others.
- His eagerness to convey everything he learned from the Prophet Muhammad – peace be upon him – making him one of the most prolific narrators of hadith.
- His four years of proximity to the Prophet, during which he served him, prayed with him, and lived closely with him, without ceasing to accompany him in public and private moments. This intimacy allowed him to hear a multitude of narrations and observe the finer details of the Sunnah. Imam Al-Bukhari noted that Abu Huraira remained by the Prophet’s side until the end of his life, parting only briefly when he appointed him as a governor over Bahrain.
Abu Huraira’s consistent companionship with the Prophet Muhammad – peace be upon him – fostered a robust scholarly capacity in a short span of time. The dedication and sincerity of a scholar, alongside their genuine intention, contribute greatly to the acquisition of solid knowledge, a reality evident in Abu Huraira’s life. Notably, he stated he was devoted to seeking and hearing hadiths from the Prophet Muhammad – peace be upon him – which allowed him to focus solely on this pursuit rather than being preoccupied with worldly matters.
The Wisdom Behind Abu Huraira’s Incomplete Narrations
The wisdom behind Abu Huraira’s – may Allah be pleased with him – withholding some narrations lies in preventing potential mischief and safeguarding against fitnah (trial). The subjects of the hadiths he shared were typically well-known amongst the general public or were intended for those with deep knowledge. However, he chose to retain certain narrations that the Prophet Muhammad – peace be upon him – related to him, refraining from sharing with the general populace due to their complex nature, such as those discussing trials, great battles, or indications of prophethood. It’s important to note that the narratives he did not share were not related to essential tenets of faith or legal rulings that must be disclosed to people.