Muḥkam Hadith: Definition and Example

1. In this lesson

Purification is required for prayer. We will read a short Hadith about this and understand why it is called muḥkam.

An accepted (maqbūl) Hadith meets the conditions for acceptance. We now consider whether it has an opposing Hadith of equal standing.

2. The prayer and charity example

لَا تُقْبَلُ صَلوٰةٌ بِغَيْرِ طُهُورٍ وَّلَا صَدَقَةٌ مِنْ غُلُولٍ. (Jamiʿ al-Tirmidhi: 1)
Meaning: Prayer is not accepted without purification, nor is charity from misappropriated wealth.

1. Ṭuhūr: the ritual purification required for prayer.
2. Ghulūl: misappropriation of wealth; here, wealth obtained through such misconduct.

3. The two parts of the example

• Prayer: it is not accepted without purification.
• Charity: charity from misappropriated wealth is not accepted.

Keep the two points distinct: the first concerns purification for prayer; the second concerns the wealth given in charity. Giving it as charity does not make misappropriated wealth legitimate.

4. What muḥkam means

A muḥkam Hadith is an accepted Hadith with no opposing Hadith of equal standing.

When the meanings of two Hadith appear to oppose each other, this is called taʿāruḍ (apparent conflict).

The prayer and charity report is an example of muḥkam: it has no opposing Hadith of equal standing. This is what the term concerns, not whether the wording is short or easy.

5. Opposing, and of equal standing

Both points matter in the definition:

• The other Hadith has an opposing meaning. A Hadith supporting the same point is not an opposing one.
• The opposing Hadith has equal standing. Someone merely saying the opposite does not meet this condition.

Muḥkam therefore does not mean that no other Hadith exists on that topic.

6. Not knowing is not evidence

A learner's inability to recall an opposing Hadith does not by itself establish that a Hadith is muḥkam.

• I have not read an opposing Hadith: this describes the learner's limited knowledge.
• There is no opposing Hadith of equal standing: this requires scholarly study of the relevant reports and their standing.

The task here is to understand the definition and example, not independently decide the status of the entire Hadith corpus.

7. Summary

• Muḥkam: an accepted Hadith with no opposing Hadith of equal standing.
• Example: prayer without purification and charity from misappropriated wealth are not accepted.
• Key distinction: another Hadith existing is not the same as an opposing Hadith existing.
• Research: not recalling an opposing Hadith does not establish its absence.