Instructions:
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Watch the video carefully and take clear, organized notes while watching.
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Review the concepts covered in the video and then attempt all the given exercises independently.
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If you feel stuck on any question, go back to your notes and re-watch the relevant part of the video before moving on.
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Do not skip difficult questions—use your notes to understand the method or concept step by step.
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Write down any questions or confusions in your notebook so you can ask the lecturer during the next class.
Good morning students. Today, we are going to talk about the role of the Companions of the Prophet, peace be upon him, in preserving and transmitting Hadith. Remember, Hadith are the sayings, actions, and approvals of the Prophet, and they are our second main source of Islamic guidance after the Qur’an. Without the Companions, we would not have access to the Hadith we study today.
The Companions had something very special — direct access to the Prophet, peace be upon him. They saw him, heard him, and lived with him. Some, like Abdullah ibn Mas‘ud, memorized directly from his mouth. He once said that he memorized seventy surahs straight from the Prophet himself. Imagine being in that position — it meant that they could preserve the Prophet’s guidance exactly as he taught it.
Now, in those days, the main method of preserving Hadith was oral transmission. The Arabs had very strong memories and could remember word-for-word what was said. One of the most famous narrators was Abu Hurairah, may Allah be pleased with him. He spent all his time with the Prophet while others were busy with work, which is why he narrated over 5,000 Hadith. He himself explained that his closeness and sacrifice allowed him to preserve so many sayings.
But it wasn’t only memorization. Some Companions also wrote Hadith down during the Prophet’s lifetime with his permission. For example, Abdullah ibn Amr ibn al-‘As wrote a collection called Al-Sahifah al-Sadiqah. At first, people told him not to write, thinking the Prophet might speak in anger or pleasure. But the Prophet, peace be upon him, reassured him, saying, “Write, for nothing comes out of this mouth except the truth.” This shows us that Hadith were also preserved in written form from the very beginning.
After the Prophet passed away, the Companions made sure the Hadith were spread and taught to the next generation, known as the Tabi‘un. For example, Abdullah ibn Abbas, called the “Scholar of the Ummah,” taught many students. Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her, taught more than 2,000 Hadith and clarified issues related to family life and character. She corrected misunderstandings and gave detailed explanations. This teaching role helped preserve Hadith across the Muslim world.
One more thing: the Companions were very careful and strict when narrating Hadith. They never wanted to say something wrongly in the Prophet’s name. The Prophet himself warned, “Whoever lies about me deliberately should take his place in the Fire.” Because of this, Companions like Umar ibn al-Khattab would sometimes ask for another witness before accepting a narration. This caution kept Hadith authentic and protected from fabrication.
Some Companions became especially famous for their large contributions: Abu Hurairah narrated over 5,000 Hadith, Aisha narrated more than 2,000, Abdullah ibn Umar about 2,600, Anas ibn Malik over 2,200, and Abdullah ibn Abbas around 1,600. Each of them dedicated their lives to preserving and teaching Hadith.
So, to quickly summarize for you: the Companions played a key role in transmitting Hadith by memorizing, writing, teaching, spreading, and being extremely careful about accuracy. Their honesty and devotion are the reason we have authentic Hadith today. And remember, the Prophet praised them by saying: “The best of my nation are my generation.” That tells us how reliable they were.
