What are the four hundred source collections?

Al-Usul al-Arba‘umi’ah are four hundred hadith books recorded by four hundred great scholars from among the companions of the two Imams: Ja‘far ibn Muhammad al-Sadiq and Musa ibn Ja‘far al-Kazim, upon both of whom be peace.[1] These traditionists have collected a great number of traditions and narrations from the two Imams in their source collections.

Moreover, even though those source collections were not free from the vicissitudes of time entirely, its texts and its roots were held in safekeeping and reached us thanks to the sacrifice and efforts of the sincere scholars (may God sanctify their pure souls). For the traditions of these source collections were transmitted to the primary hadith reference sources, such as Jami‘ al-Bazanti, Jami‘ Muhammad ibn Ahmad ibn Yahya ibn ‘Imran al-Ash‘ari, i.e. Nawadir al-Hikmat, and the like, or to the secondary hadith reference sources, such as the four collections, or to other hadith collections.[2]

Shaykh al-Kulayni (may God sanctify his pure soul) took pains to collect these valuable reference sources and obtain them. For that purpose he assumed the burden of travelling to several Muslim cities and countries, and the outcome of his efforts was his eminent book al-Kafi. It is apparent that a large number of these source collections were extant until recent periods among the men of knowledge, such as Shaykh al-Hurr al-‘Amili[3], ‘Allamah al-Majlisi[4], Muhaddith al-Nuri[5].

Why Are They Called Source Collections?

Any hadith book in which the traditions are recorded directly from an infallible Imam (upon whom be peace) by its compiler or from one who heard from him directly is called asl, source collection, to indicate that it is a primary source for men of knowledge to refer to and rely upon .

After a thorough examination of the meaning of a source collection, the great scholar Shaykh Agha Buzurg al-Tahrani said: So the source collection, asl, from among the books on Hadith is that which what is recorded therein is heard by its compiler from an infallible person of from one who heard from him, but not transmitted from a recorded composition, for it is a branch thereof.[6]

The Scholar’s Opinions about These Source Collections

1. Allamah al-Tabarsi said: Four thousands from among the men of knowledge narrated from Imam al-Sadiq (upon whom be peace), and four hundred books were compiled from his replies to the issues. These are called the source collections, which were reported by his companions and the companions of his son Musa al-Kazim (upon whom be peace).[7]

2. Muhaqqiq al-Hilli said: From among the replies to the issues put forward to Ja‘far ibn Muhammad were written four hundred works by four hundred compilers, which they called source collections.[8]

3. Shahid al-Awwal said: From among the replies of Imam al-Sadiq (upon whom be peace) were written four hundred works by four hundred compilers, but the reliable reporters who narrated on his authority were four thousand men.[9]

The Status and Characteristics of the Four Hundred Source Collections

The four hundred source collection rank as the most significant primary sources of hadith upon which the scholars and traditionists have relied in the recording of their hadith collections thanks to their following characteristics:

1. The compilers of these books took upon themselves the recording of their narrations and traditions which they heard from the Imam directly or which they heard from those who narrated from the Imam directly.

2. Our earlier companions ceased not express admiration for the compilers of these books, which emphasizes their reliability and their undivided attention to the soundness of their narrations.

3. The compilers of these source collection would strive to record the traditions and narrations which they heard from the Imam in their books without delay for fear of forgetfulness or error.[10]

These characteristics have led to the scholars paying great attention to the source collections, taking pains to read, narrate, learn by heart, and edit them, and preferring them to other compilations.[11]

What Are the Titles of the Hour Hundred Source Collections?

Shaykh Agha Buzurg al-Tahrani have made mention of a number of the four hundred source collections along with their compilers’ names.[12]

 

Collection & Translation by www.darolhadith.net

 

1 .For more information about the scholars’ opinions on the source collections see Shaykh Agha Buzurg al-Tahrani, Tasanif al-Shi‘ah (Qum: Mu’assasat Isma‘iliyyan), vol.2, p.130.

2. See Ayatollah Shaykh Ja‘far al-Subhani, Tadhkirat al-A‘yan (Qum: Imam al-Sadiq Institute), p.18.

3. Refer to Shaykh Muhammad ibn al-Hasan al-Hurr al-‘Amili (d. 1104 AH), Tafsil Wasa’il al-Shi‘ah ila Tahsil Masa’il al-Shari‘ah.

4. See Shaykh Muhammad Baqir al-Majlisi (d. 1110 AH), Bihar al-Anwar al-Jami‘ah li Durar Akhbar al- A’imah al-Athar.

5. See Shaykh Muhaddith al-Nuri (d. 1320 AH), Mustadrak Wasa’il al-Shi‘ah.

6. See Shaykh Agha Buzurg al-Tahrani (d. 1389 AH), al-Dhari‘ah ila Tasanif al-Shi‘ah (Qum: Mu’assasat Isma‘iliyyan), vol.2, p.127.

7. Refer to Abu ‘Ali al-Fadl ibn al-Hasan ibn al-Fadl al-Tabarsi, known as Amin al-Islam(d. 548 AH), I‘lam al-Wara bi A‘lam al-Huda.

8. See Muhaqqiq al-Hilli (d.679 AH), al-Mu‘tabar, vol.1, p26.

9. Refer to Muhammad ibn Makki al-‘Amili, known as Shahid al-Awwal (First Martyr), Dhikra al-Shi‘ah fi Ahkam al-Shari‘ah, p.6.

10 .In his Mashriq al-Shamsayn, Shaykh al-Baha’ithus wrote: It has reached to us from our masters (may their secret be sanctified) that the compilers of the source collections used to hasten to record any tradition which they heard from the Imams (upon whom be peace) in their source collections lest they should forget it in part or in whole with the passage of time.

In this connection, Muhaqqiq al-Damad said: It is said that the compilers of the source collections used to hasten to write down any tradition which they heard from them (upon whom be peace) in their source collections without delay. See al-Dhari‘ah ila Tasanif al-Shi‘ah, vol2, p.128.

11. For more information refer to al-Dhari‘ah ila Tasanif al-Shi‘ah, vol.2, p.128, and Dr. ‘Abd al-Hadi al-Fadli, Usul al-Hadith (Qum: Mu’assasat Umm al-Qura) 2nd Edition, pp.48-49.

12. See al-Dhari‘ah ila Tasanif al-Shi‘ah, vol.2, pp.152-167.