The following are the qualifications of a transmitter of Hadith:
1. Any transmitter of Hadith must belong to either the group of companions of the Prophet or their contemporaries. These were the people who saw the Prophet and heard him saying certain things at a particular time. They were in the best position to quote the Prophet correctly.
2. A transmitter of Hadith, if not a companion, must belong to the group of the tabi’un that is those who met the companions of the Prophet even though they did not see the Prophet himself. Their interactions with the companions of the Prophet gave them an advantage of getting the correct statement as well as the recording made by the companions of the Prophet.
3. To qualify as a transmitter of Hadith such a person must be a Muslim of pure character as well as sound Islamic background. He must have been a knowledgeable person in the study and memorization of the Qur’an.
4. The earliest formal collection of traditions was in the form of Musnad which is preceded by chains of transmitters known as Isnad. To qualify therefore such statement must be traced back to a companion of the Prophet who heard directly from him.
5. Another qualification of a transmitter is that the statements must be by direct speech such as A told me, saying that B said C had informed him that the Prophet said so and so. To qualify such statements must have an unbroken chain. On the basis of this principle in Asma’ Rijal, a tradition reported by a single companion (sahabi) of the Prophet was rejected.
6. Another qualification of a transmitter is that he must have a good retentive memory and high qualities of head and heart. He must not be a person of poor memory.
2. A transmitter of Hadith, if not a companion, must belong to the group of the tabi’un that is those who met the companions of the Prophet even though they did not see the Prophet himself. Their interactions with the companions of the Prophet gave them an advantage of getting the correct statement as well as the recording made by the companions of the Prophet.
3. To qualify as a transmitter of Hadith such a person must be a Muslim of pure character as well as sound Islamic background. He must have been a knowledgeable person in the study and memorization of the Qur’an.
4. The earliest formal collection of traditions was in the form of Musnad which is preceded by chains of transmitters known as Isnad. To qualify therefore such statement must be traced back to a companion of the Prophet who heard directly from him.
5. Another qualification of a transmitter is that the statements must be by direct speech such as A told me, saying that B said C had informed him that the Prophet said so and so. To qualify such statements must have an unbroken chain. On the basis of this principle in Asma’ Rijal, a tradition reported by a single companion (sahabi) of the Prophet was rejected.
6. Another qualification of a transmitter is that he must have a good retentive memory and high qualities of head and heart. He must not be a person of poor memory.