Hadith Al-Thaqalayn

A Study of its Tawatur

The Messenger of Allah - may Allah bestow peace and benedictions upon him and his Progeny - said: Verily, I am leaving behind two precious things (thaqalayn) among you: the Book of God and my kindred (`itrah), my household (Ahl al­Bayt), for indeed, the two will never separate until they come back to me by the Pond (of al­Kawthar on the Judgement's Day).

Content

Preface
   The Meaning of Tawatur
Some Sahih Versions of the Hadith
The Various Occasions Related to Hadith Al­Thaqalayn
    At `Arafat
    At Ghadir Khumm
    In the Mosque of Madinah
    In the Prophet's Chamber During His Last Illness
`Abaqat al­'Anwar
   The Author's Approach in `Abaqat
Narrators of Hadith Al­Thaqalayn
    From Among the Sahabah
    From Among the Tabi`un
    Second/Eighth Century
Third/Ninth Century
Fourth/Tenth Century
    Fifth/Eleventh Century
    Sixth/Twelfth Century
    Seventh/Thirteenth Century
Eight/Fourteenth Century
    Ninth/Fifteenth Century
    Tenth/Sixteenth Century
    Eleventh/Seventeenth Century
    Twelfth/Eighteenth Century
    Thirteenth/Nineteenth Century
    Fourteenth/Twentieth Century
The Meaning of Hadith Al­Thaqalayn
Some Traditions that Appear to Conflict with Hadith Al­Thaqalayn
   Adhere to my sunnah and the sunnah of the rightly-guided successors ...
   Take part of your religion from this Humayra' (i.e. `Aishah).
   Seek guidance with the guidance of `Ammar.
   Hold on to the covenant of Ibn Umm `Abd (i.e. `Abd Allah ibn Mas`ud).
   Mu`adh ibn Jabal is the most knowledgeable among you regarding halal and haram.
   Follow those who will come after me, Abu Bakr and `Umar.
   Verily, my Companions are like the stars (nujum) in the sky...
Notes