Sunnah and Hadith: Kinds and Classification

The Sunnah represents the second primary source of Islamic Law.

• Literal Meanings: Sunnah literally means 'A Manner of Acting', 'A Rule of conduct', or 'A Mode of life'.
• Types of Sunnah: There are 3 types of Sunnah: Saying (Qaul), Action (Fi'l), and Silence/Tacit Approval (Taqrir). The customs of Madina which were not questioned serve as the prime example of Tacit Sunnah.
• Hadith Components: A Hadith structurally comprises two components: the text (Matn) and the reference/chain of narrators (Sanad).
• Classification by Transmitters/Reference: There are 3 kinds of Hadith based on the nature of reference:
• Hadis-e-Matwatar (Continuous): A Hadith whose narrators (Ravi) are numerous.
• Hadis-e-Muttasil: A Hadith where no narrator (Ravi) is missing from start to finish.
• Hadis-e-Hasan: A Hadith whose narrator is slightly less in memory compared to a Sahih Hadith.
• Classification by Nature: Hadis-e-Fa'eli (or Fael/Amal) comprises actions or practices of the Holy Prophet (PBUH); Hadis-e-Qauli comprises sayings only; Hadis-e-Sakooti denotes silent approval.
• The Hadis whose no ravi is missing from start to end is called Hadis-e-Muttasil and Hadis-e-Hassan.