“Actions are but by intentions, and every man shall have only that which he intended.”
Sahih al-Bukhari 1, Sahih Muslim 1907
Imam Muhammad al-Bukhari (d. 256 AH) · 7,563 narrations
The most authenticated collection of hadith, gathered over sixteen years and arranged by topics of law and belief.
"Actions are judged by intentions, so each man will have what he intended."
Imam Muslim ibn al-Hajjaj (d. 261 AH) · 7,470 narrations
Renowned for its precise chains of narration and careful arrangement of variant wordings of the same report.
"Purity is half of faith, and Alhamdulillah fills the scales."
Imam Ahmad an-Nasa'i (d. 303 AH) · 5,758 narrations
Focused on legal rulings, with the fewest weak narrations among the four Sunan works.
"The key to Paradise is prayer, and the key to prayer is purity."
Imam Abu Dawud as-Sijistani (d. 275 AH) · 5,274 narrations
A practical jurisprudence collection, prized by scholars deriving rulings for daily worship.
"Prayer is the pillar of religion."
Imam Muhammad at-Tirmidhi (d. 279 AH) · 3,956 narrations
Notable for grading each hadith and recording the opinions of the early jurists.
"The best of you are those best to their families."
Imam Ibn Majah al-Qazwini (d. 273 AH) · 4,341 narrations
The sixth of the canonical books, containing chapters absent from the other collections.
"Seeking knowledge is an obligation upon every Muslim."
Imam Malik ibn Anas (d. 179 AH) · 1,720 narrations
The earliest surviving hadith compilation, combining narrations with the practice of Madinah.
"I was sent to perfect noble character."
Imam Yahya an-Nawawi (d. 676 AH) · 1,896 narrations
A themed selection on manners, sincerity and worship, drawn from the authentic collections.
"None of you truly believes until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself."
