Muʿjam al-Aḥādīth al-Muʿtabara

By: Shaykh Muḥammad Āṣif al-Muḥsinī

Translator: Ammaar Muslim

---

"Muʿjam al-Aḥādīth al-Muʿtabara" by Shaykh Muḥammad Āṣif Muḥsinī is a monumental work which fills a significant gap in the realm of the works of Ḥadīth. The aim of this comprehensive compilation is to provide people with a dependable resource, countering the long-standing misconception about the perceived insufficiencies in the body of Ḥadīth possessed by the Shīʿa. As such, this project marks a pivotal contribution to the field, providing someone with access to reliable, authentic material. The book showcases Shaykh Muḥsinī’s ambition to assemble a collection of Muʿtabar (reliable) Ḥadīth, thus facilitating the work of jurists, researchers, lecturers, and any layperson interested in gaining knowledge. Despite his busy schedule, Shaykh Muḥsinī committed himself to this colossal task, motivated by a desire to preserve and make accessible the authentic teachings of the Shīʿī faith. In creating this work, Shaykh Muḥsinī was guided by a set of principles. First, the Ḥadīth should have a reliable chain and not contradict the Qurʾān, the established Sunnah, or the intellect. Second, while the book aims to be comprehensive, it may not include every narration with a reliable chain, since the Shaykh had mentioned that he may have accidentally overlooked some narrations. However, it does provide an overwhelming majority of reliable traditions. Shaykh Muḥsinī’s stringent criteria and rigorous application make this work an invaluable resource in Ḥadīth. While some scholars may differ with his judgments, the work aims to provide a universally acceptable core of irreproachable narrations, with the potential to serve as a basis for consensus among scholars and researchers. In summary, "Muʿjam al-Aḥādīth al-Muʿtabara" is a milestone in Ḥadīth studies, providing a reliable reference point for those interested in authentic Shia narrations. Its meticulous assembly and rigorous criteria set it apart as a work of significant value and authority.