Observation

This appeared the most difficult question to many of the candidates. The question technically tested the candidates’ knowledge to know in reality the meaning of the term in the study of Hadith. The question required the candidates to explain the term Musannaf its excess in Hadith study. This also required them to give the importance of this for better understanding of Hadith study. Generally on this question, candidates` performances were below average. Candidates were expected to mention the following points:

Muṣannaf is one of the different types in the arrangement of Hadith manuscripts. (Introduction).

1. Muṣannaf is the passive particle of the Arabic verb Ṣanafa.
2. It means to arrange by chapters.
3. Its literal meaning is ‘a thing that is sectionally arranged’.
4. Muṣannaf refers to a Hadith that has been systematically arranged.
5. The different collections of Hadith are arranged in different ways by the compilers.
6. The Muṣannaf is an improvement on the Musnad method of Hadith arrangement.
7. The Muṣannafis a Hadith collection in which the traditions relating to most or all the various topics are put together and arranged in various chapters.
8. Each chapter deals with a particular topic.
9. Under each topic is a collection of aḥadīth and authoritative opinions relevant to the tittle.
10. The opinions and statements are attributed to companions and their successors.
11. The Muṣannaf was mixed with comments and legal decisions.
12. The first to introduce this kind of Muṣannaf is believed to be ibnJurayjofMakkah (d.150/767).
13. The earliest extant compilation of this category is that of Maʿmar b. Rashid.
14. The Muṣannaf style makes referencing easier.
15. The Hadith works of ImāmBukhārī,Imām Muslim andImāmMālikfall under the Muṣannaf category.