Lessons Derived From the Life of Imam Bukhari

By Navaid Aziz | 2026-01-16T17:56:29.985777+00:00 | Topic: Iman

Lessons Derived From the Life of Imam al-Bukhari

Lessons Derived From the Life of Imam al-Bukhari

Lecture by: Navaid Aziz

Introduction

In this lecture, we will explore the profound lessons that can be derived from studying the life of one of Islam's greatest scholars, Imam Muhammad ibn Ismail al-Bukhari. His life serves as an example of dedication, piety, scholarship, and perseverance that continues to inspire Muslims to this day.

The Father of Imam al-Bukhari

His Character and Scholarship

One of the great scholars of Hadith, Ibn Habban, authored a book called "Athiqat" (الثقات). In this book, he mentions all the narrators from the time of the Tabi'een up until his time who were considered trustworthy and reliable in the science of Hadith—those from whom it is permissible to narrate.

In this book, Ibn Habban mentioned the father of Imam al-Bukhari, Isma'il ibn Ibrahim. He described him as:

His Commitment to Halal Income

When discussing his business dealings, Isma'il ibn Ibrahim made a profound statement:

"The most beloved thing to me is my family. Just as I love for myself that I only intake that which is halal from the rizq (provision) of Allah, likewise, I love for my family that they should have nothing but halal rizq."

He was extremely cautious in his business transactions, ensuring that his income was completely permissible.

The Impact of Halal Wealth

Hadith Reference:

The Prophet ﷺ said (narrated by Aisha رضي الله عنها :

"How will Allah answer the du'a of a person whose food is haram, whose wealth is haram, and that which he intakes is haram?"

Reference: Related by Muslim in his Sahih

Barakah in Wealth

There is a dimension to our wealth and rizq that is considered from the 'Ilm al-Ghayb (knowledge of the unseen). A man may have ten dollars and another man may have ten dollars, but the first man is able to accomplish with his ten dollars what the second man cannot. This is what we call barakah (بركة) the blessing that Allah places in one's wealth.

The role of Imam al-Bukhari's father was immense. His fear of taking wealth that was haram and his caution in business had an indirect but powerful influence on Imam al-Bukhari. Through his father's piety, Allah placed extra barakah in their wealth.

Imam al-Bukhari's Spending on Knowledge

Later in his life, Imam al-Bukhari made a remarkable statement:

"After I started my studies of religious knowledge, I spend each month 500 dirhams in seeking knowledge —either in buying books, in traveling, or in supporting another student of knowledge who doesn't have the money."

We see that the barakah in one's wealth goes a long way. It starts with our parents, and when we become parents, our children will be affected by the way we earn our rizq and live our lives.

Lesson 1: The Role of Parents in Raising Righteous Children

Children Follow Their Parents' Example

If you look at many scholars of Hadith, you'll notice that many of their parents were scholars and righteous people themselves.

Principle: If you want your children to become righteous, one of the best ways to do this is to set an example for them.

"Don't expect a sweet fruit from a sour tree."

If you plant the seeds of righteousness and sweetness, the fruit will likewise be sweet. Everything starts with your own self.

How to Raise Righteous Children:

  1. Set the example yourself — your children will look up to you, follow you, and emulate your ways
  2. Take them to the masjid while they are young — and go to the masjid yourself
  3. Read the Quran in front of them
  4. Teach them how to pray Salah at a young age and emphasize its importance
  5. Include them in your acts of worship — don't exclude them

Correcting Misconceptions

Many of us have the incorrect idea that we won't bring our children to the masjid until the age of 10. This type of understanding is totally incorrect.

The companions of the Prophet ﷺ used to bring their children to the masjid at all times.

Example: Al-Hasan and Al-Husayn

Take the ideal example of Al-Hasan and Al-Husayn رضي الله عنهما the grandchildren of the Prophet ﷺ.

Hadith:

It is mentioned in a Sahih narration that one day the Prophet ﷺ delayed his prostration in Salah for such a long time that the companions thought he had passed away in his prayer.

After waiting extensively, the Prophet ﷺ finally rose from sujood. They asked him after the Salah:

"Ya Rasulullah, what caused you to delay your Sajdah for so long?"

The Prophet ﷺ replied:

"Al-Hasan and Al-Husayn were playing on me, and I didn't want to disturb their playing, so I delayed my Sajdah until they were done."

Reference: Sahih narration in various collections

The Prophet's Methodology with Children

This was the methodology (manhaj) of the Prophet ﷺ. Many of us, when we see children playing in the masjid, get angry—sometimes to such a degree that we'll even hit them.

This is not the way to teach our children.

Correct Approach:

• Have mercy with them

• Be kind to them

• Be gentle with them

• Raise them upon softness

If we do this, insha'Allah they will grow up to be righteous and obedient individuals.

Summary of Lessons from the Father

Two Key Characteristics:

  1. He was a scholar of Hadith Thus, even though Imam al-Bukhari's father passed away when he was only 3 years old, Imam al-Bukhari retained this memory and followed in his footsteps
  2. He was a businessman who feared Allah He abstained from transactions that had any doubts and from cheating people. He only took income that was halal. Thus, Allah placed barakah in that wealth, and Imam al-Bukhari was sustained through his father's wealth even after his death

The Childhood of Imam al-Bukhari

His Scribe and Early Learning

Imam al-Bukhari became very famous, and when scholars become busy with knowledge, they don't have time to do everything they'd like. One thing Imam al-Bukhari didn't have time for was writing.

He hired a warraq (وراق) a person who is a scribe who writes down everything you say. His name was Muhammad ibn Abi Hatim, the son of the great scholar Abu Hatim.

Beginning of Knowledge Seeking (Age 10)

One day, Muhammad ibn Abi Hatim asked Imam al-Bukhari:

"How did your affair in seeking knowledge begin? What happened?"

Imam al-Bukhari mentioned:

"At the age of 10, I was sitting in the masjid listening to the scholars of Hadith. I had a natural inclination for memorizing what they were saying. I was able to retain everything they said to a very extensive degree, accurately and meticulously."

After attending some of these circles of knowledge (halaqat), he started picking up their books, reading, and memorizing.

By the age of 10, he had finished memorizing the books of:

These were great Imams of their time.

Lesson 2: The Importance of Memorization and Understanding

Eastern vs. Western Education

When you look at the difference between scholastic education in the East and the West, you notice one profound difference:

Eastern Education:

Western Education:

The Islamic Approach: Both Memorization and Understanding

As a Muslim educator, you will come to see that the best way to teach is to give both:

  1. Emphasize memorization
  2. Emphasize understanding

Important Principle:

True understanding cannot come except with memorization.

Evidence from the Quran and Hadith

Hadith Qudsi:

When Allah speaks about the Quran and those who understand it, it is usually the people who have memorized it.

Hadith from the Farewell Pilgrimage:

Extracted Text

The Prophet ﷺ said:

"Those of you who hear it, let him pass it on to those people who weren't present."

In one narration, the Prophet ﷺ mentions:

"A person may hear something and relate it to someone who has better understanding than him, and thus he may bless you with his understanding or grant you that understanding that Allah has blessed him with."

Imam al-Bukhari's Approach

Imam al-Bukhari's understanding of Hadith didn't come just by:

Rather, at a young age, he started memorizing the books of Hadith.

Memorizing the Quran First

Important Note:

The scholars of the past did not pursue knowledge of other sciences (like Aqidah, Fiqh, Usul al-Fiqh, or extensive study of Arabic) until they had memorized the Quran.

Every single scholar of the past emphasized first memorizing the Quran because:

This is what every scholar would begin with, and what each parent would induce into their children and make them enthusiastic to learn.

The Mother of Imam al-Bukhari

The Loss of Eyesight

When Imam al-Bukhari was born, he was born with good eyesight. But as he grew older, his eyesight began to weaken to such a degree that he became blind.

The Dream and Cure

One day while she was sleeping, she narrates:

Ibrahim (عليه السلام - 'alayhis-salam) (the Khalil of Allah, the noble prophet also known as the father of the prophets) came to her in a dream and said:

"Indeed, Allah has heard your call. He has heard your supplication. It is due to your extensive crying and your extensive supplication that today your du'a will be answered."

When she awoke, the eyesight of Imam al-Bukhari was returned.

Lesson 3: The Power of a Mother's Du'a

Key Lesson:

One of the most important lessons we derive from this is the importance of supplicating for our family members, especially for our children.

Each and every one of us wants success for our children. One of the best ways to achieve it is to supplicate for them, as Allah answers the du'a of parents for their children.

We see from the life of Imam al-Bukhari that something as serious as losing your eyesight—where people would have surgery upon surgery to try to fix and cure—Allah fixed through the du'a of the mother.

Imam al-Bukhari at Age 11

Correcting His Teacher

At the age of 11, he started sitting with scholars and becoming their students, sticking to them as much as he could.

One of these scholars was al-Dakhili.

One day, while sitting in the lesson of al-Dakhili, the teacher mentioned a Hadith. When studying a Hadith, you know it has two parts:

  1. Matan (المتن - al-matn) the actual statement of the Prophet ﷺ
  2. Sanad (السند - al-sanad) the chain of narrators

The Incident

Al-Dakhili was mentioning a Hadith, and when he got to the sanad, he said:

"Ibrahim narrated from Abu Zubayr who narrated from Sufyan..."

When Imam al-Bukhari heard this, he rebuked his sheikh and said:

"This Hadith was not narrated in this form or manner."

Imagine: An 11-year-old child challenging an elder in his 60s!

The Resolution

Imam al-Bukhari, being very persistent, said:

"What you have said is incorrect."

He kept challenging the sheikh to such a degree that he said:

"If you don't believe what I'm saying—that your sanad is incorrect—then go back to your books and see what is said."

Al-Dakhili, being challenged by this child, took it seriously. He went back to his library, brought out the book, and noticed that what Imam al-Bukhari said was correct—it wasn't narrated by Abu Zubayr.

Further Challenge

Al-Dakhili wanted to test Imam al-Bukhari further, thinking it might have been a fluke. He asked:

"Fine, it wasn't Abu Zubayr. Why don't you tell me who it was?"

Imam al-Bukhari replied:

"This Hadith was narrated by Abu Zubayr's son, al-Zubayr, not by Abu Zubayr."

From that point on, al-Dakhili became very impressed with Imam al-Bukhari. He got him to check all his works, attend all his circles, and correct him wherever he made mistakes.

Hajj at Age 16

The Journey with His Family

At the age of 16, Imam al-Bukhari went to make Hajj with his mother and his brother.

Note: Imam al-Bukhari had a brother named Ahmad, about whom we know nothing except for this story.

His Mother's Wisdom

When they reached the land of Hijaz (Mecca, Medina, Taif, and Jeddah), his mother noticed that Imam al-Bukhari had a natural inclination for Hadith.

She said:

"This is something you like to do. Why don't you stay behind? Stay behind and study with the scholars over here."

Trust and Independence

The average mother at age 16 wouldn't trust her child to take care of his own affairs. Many parents, even when their children reach 19, 20, 21, or even 22, are still skeptical about giving them responsibility.

But the mother of Imam al-Bukhari showed trust in her son. She said:

"Why don't you stay behind, take this bag of wealth, stay behind, take care of yourself, support yourself, and study with the scholars here."

At the age of 16, Imam al-Bukhari studied with the scholars of Hijaz.

Lesson 4: The Concept of Traveling for Knowledge

Why Travel?

At age 16, Imam al-Bukhari was exposed to the concept of traveling for knowledge.

When you study the biographies of scholars of the past, you'll notice that all of them traveled for the sake of knowledge. None of them stayed only in their cities.

They wanted to:

Benefits of Traveling for Knowledge

Multiple Benefits:

  1. Learning from the most educated and proficient in each science
  2. Exposure to various things:
    • Various cultures
    • Various personalities

Expanding understanding:

Building character:

Essential for True Students

Important Principle:

You will not become a true student of knowledge until you have gone through trials and struggles, and until you are in situations where you have to implement patience and overcome what you desire.

This was something very important, and Imam al-Bukhari was exposed to this at age 16. He traveled with his mother for Hajj and stayed with the scholars of Hijaz for approximately two years until he returned to his family.

Imam al-Bukhari at Age 18

Writing His First Book

At age 18, Imam al-Bukhari wrote his first major book: Al-Tarikh al-Kabir (التاريخ الكبير - The Great History).

Reflect on the Timeline:

The Four Famous Books of Imam al-Bukhari

  1. Al-Jami' al-Sahih (Sahih al-Bukhari)

This is his most famous work—Sahih al-Bukhari, the authentic compilation of Hadith.

2. Al-Tarikh al-Kabir (The Great History)

Purpose: A book of history, but not as we understand history in the West.

Western History Books:

Islamic History Books (Early Generations):

What Imam al-Bukhari Did in This Book:

  1. Compiled the names of all the companions and their children
  2. Compiled all major historical events that took place in their times
  3. Criticized the narrators of Hadith

Understanding Narrator Reliability

Not everyone is at the same level of reliability.

Example:

A scholar who spent his whole life studying Islam holds more weight than an elementary school teacher who read one textbook before teaching about Islam.

The level of certainty in understanding knowledge is at a higher degree when you take it from a sheikh compared to an elementary school teacher.

What Imam al-Bukhari Did:

When mentioning points of history through chains of narrators:

Imam al-Bukhari compiled this masterpiece at the age of 18.

3. Al-Adab al-Mufrad )الأدب المفرد(

Purpose: A book of etiquettes.

Contents:

Anything he could find from the Prophet ﷺ and the companions pertaining to:

He compiled all of this in this book called Al-Adab al-Mufrad.

4. Khalq Af'al al-'Ibad )خلق أفعال العباد(

Title Meaning: "The Creation of the Actions of Mankind"

The Story Behind This Book

The Fitna of Khalq al-Quran

During Imam al-Bukhari's time, there was a great fitna (trial) in which people were testing each other regarding:

Was the Quran—the speech of Allah—something created or uncreated?

The Correct Position of Ahlus Sunnah

The Opinion of Ahlus Sunnah:

All scholars of the past and present who follow the way of the Sahaba have agreed that:

The Quran is the speech of Allah, and it is uncreated.

The Mu'tazili School

Over time, this methodology was challenged when the Mu'tazili school of thought came into power in the Khilafah.

Their Claim:

The Quran is the speech of Allah, but:

This is inaccurate.

The Height of the Fitna

When this Khilafah took power, they started promoting this methodology, and it hit its peak during the time of Imam Ahmad.

The famous fitna that Imam Ahmad went through before his death was the fitna of Khalq al-Quran (the creation of the Quran).

Timeline

The Fitna Progresses

The fitna progressed over time. Before, it was just between the Mu'tazila and the scholars of Ahlus Sunnah. Then it progressed into the scholars of Ahlus Sunnah itself.

New Question:

Is it okay to say that "my recitation of the Quran is created", or is one not allowed to say this?

Imam al-Bukhari's Position

One day, Imam al-Bukhari was asked:

"What do you say about the recitation of the Quran? Is it created or not created?"

Imam al-Bukhari replied:

"My recitation of the Quran is created, but that which is recited is not created."

He Wrote Khalq Af'al al-'Ibad

He then wrote this famous book called Khalq Af'al al-'Ibad, explaining that:

Every single action that we do as humans is created.

This is related to Qadr (divine decree).

Brief Understanding of Creation

The concept of creation with Allah is in two ways:

  1. Without intermediary )بلا واسطة(
    • Example: Adam عليه السلام created without parents, directly by Allah with His own two hands (as mentioned in the Quran)
  2. With intermediary )بواسطة(
    • Example: Us – Allah created us through parents (intermediary)

Application to Actions

If we agree that we came through an intermediary, then:

Allah created the movement of this pen through me.

Allah has the ability to move this pen directly, but He chose, out of His divine wisdom, to make the movement of this pen through me.

Thus, Allah created the movement of the pen through an intermediary (which is me).

Note: This is a very complicated subject that requires detailed study. This is just a brief breakdown.

Teachers and Scholars Imam al-Bukhari Studied With

The Conversation Continues

Muhammad ibn Abi Hatim asked him:

"Who were the people who influenced you the most? Who were the people you held in high esteem?"

Total Number of Teachers

At the end of the discussion, Imam al-Bukhari mentions:

"I studied with 1,080 scholars of Hadith."

Important Note:

This is putting aside:

This number is only scholars of Hadith — 1,080 of them!

Prolific Teachers

From the most prolific scholars he studied with:

  1. Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal (died 241 AH)
    • Established his own Madhhab
    • Very well-known and renowned
    • Books written about his biography
  2. Yahya ibn Ma'in
    • Another great scholar of Hadith
  3. Ali ibn al-Madini
    • Another great scholar of Hadith

The Greatest Influence: Ishaq ibn Rahawaih

The person who had the greatest influence over Imam al-Bukhari (even though Imam al-Bukhari doesn't state this explicitly) was a scholar by the name of Ishaq ibn Rahawaih.

You can see this influence in:

About Ishaq ibn Rahawaih

Just like the other four Imams (Abu Hanifa, Malik, ash-Shafi'i, Ahmad), he:

However: Due to his Madhhab not being spread amongst those who carried it on, his Madhhab doesn't exist in our times today.

The Inspiration for Sahih al-Bukhari

One day, Ishaq ibn Rahawaih was sitting and he said:

“It would be nice if someone took the time to compile a book of Sahih Ahadith only.”

This was just a thought that Ishaq ibn Rahawaih had.

Imam al-Bukhari's Response

Imam al-Bukhari held this scholar in such great esteem and revered him so much that he didn't want this wish of his to go unfulfilled.

He took it upon himself to compile his Sahih.

Thus, we see the great esteem that Imam al-Bukhari held him in.

Lesson 5: Benefits of Studying with Multiple Scholars

The Statement Worth Reflecting Upon

Imam al-Bukhari studied with 1,080 different scholars of Hadith.

What is the benefit of that?

Benefit 1: Different Specialties and Approaches

When you study with different scholars, you will notice that they have:

Principle:

You will notice and pick up something from one scholar which you won't find in another scholar, and you will learn something from another scholar which you will not find in yet another scholar.

Learning Is Not Just About Facts

Learning is also about:

Famous Example: Imam Ahmad's Circles

Ibn al-Qayyim mentions:

50,000 people used to come to the circles (halaqat) of Imam Ahmad.

Out of this 50,000:

What People Learned

When people came to learn from these great scholars, they didn't just come to learn:

Rather, they came to learn:

Benefit 2: Human Deficiencies and Different Opinions

As human beings, Allah has created within us deficiencies:

Purpose: To show the perfection of Allah that the Creator is perfect, yet the creation has its deficiencies.

Exposure to Different Understandings

One benefit of studying with various scholars is that you will come across similar issues with different opinions.

Example: Touching the Quran

Avoiding Rigidity

Through the diversity of scholars:

If you just stick with one scholar throughout time:

The Three Conditions of Becoming a True Scholar

One of the famous statements of the Salaf (predecessors):

"You will not be a true 'Alim until you've done three things pertaining to seeking knowledge:"

  1. You have sought knowledge with those who are more knowledgeable than you
  2. You have sought knowledge with those who are equal to you
  3. You have sought knowledge with those who are below you

Wisdom Behind Each Level

1. Seeking from Those Above You

Purpose: You humble yourself to knowledge and recognize that even though Allah may have given you some knowledge, there are people more knowledgeable than you.

Verse Reference:

وَفَوْقَ كُلِّ ذِي عِلْمٍ عَلِيمٌ
(Quran 12:76)

"And above every possessor of knowledge is one more knowing."

Aisha رضي الله عنها said that when the ayah in Surah Yusuf was revealed:

She said:

"With the revelation of this ayah, we were ordered to put people in their proper places."

Meaning: Recognize the level of people. There are people more knowledgeable than you, and the most knowledgeable above all of them is Allah. So humble yourself in front of Him the most, because He knows:

2. Seeking from Those at Your Level

Example from Imam al-Bukhari:

He had contemporaries like:

These people were contemporaries who died 4, 5, or 10 years after him. Yet Imam al-Bukhari still narrated from them and learned from them.

What Imam al-Bukhari Said to Imam at-Tirmidhi

Imam al-Bukhari said to Imam at-Tirmidhi:

"I have benefited from you just as much as you have benefited from me."

The Explanation

Imam al-Bukhari doesn't narrate from Imam at-Tirmidhi in his Sahih. But if you look at the Sunan of Imam at-Tirmidhi, you'll see that very often Imam at-Tirmidhi narrates from Imam al-Bukhari.

People asked:

"When you made the statement to Imam at-Tirmidhi that you benefited from him just as much as he benefited from you, what did you mean?"

Imam al-Bukhari replied:

"I benefited from the zuhd (asceticism) and the wara' (piety/fear of Allah) of Imam at-Tirmidhi."

He learned:

3. Seeking from Those Below You

Purpose:

This is another lesson in being humble.

Application with Parents

Many times we may think:

Then when our parents speak about Islam:

Wrong Attitude: "Oh, you're old. You didn't learn anything about Islam." (Being condescending)

This is not the methodology a Muslim should have.

Correct Approach with Parents

Rather, look up to anyone whom Allah has blessed with knowledge and:

• Revere them

• Hold them in high esteem

Especially one's parents.

Next time when our parents say something about Islam:

• Don't belittle them

• Hear what they have to say

• If they're correct: Encourage them to study more

• If they're incorrect: Here is the perfect opportunity to guide them to that which is correct

Students of Imam al-Bukhari

Number of Students

Just as Imam al-Bukhari narrated from 1,080 people, Imam adh-Dhahabi mentions:

14,000 different people narrated from Imam al-Bukhari.

Some narrations say 40,000 people narrated a Hadith from Imam al-Bukhari.

Most Famous Students

Three out of the famous six books — their authors were students of Imam al-Bukhari:

1. Imam Muslim — author of Sahih Muslim

2. Abu Isa Muhammad ibn Isa at-Tirmidhi — author of Jami' at-Tirmidhi

3. Abu Abdur-Rahman an-Nasa'i — author of Sunan an-Nasa'i

Other Famous Scholars

• Muhammad ibn Khuzaymah

• Abu Bakr ibn Abi Dunya

Lesson 6: Characteristics of a True Scholar

Sharing Knowledge

One of the characteristics of an 'Alim is that he doesn't keep knowledge to himself.

He is always:

• Enthusiastic to share his knowledge with students

• Reminding people whenever he gets an opportunity

• Teaching people whenever he gets an opportunity

• Guiding people to good

• Forbidding them from wrong

Pattern of Great Scholars Having Great Students

Examples:

1. From the Prophet ﷺ:

• Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman, Ali, and the rest of the Sahaba

• The best of mankind with consensus

2. From Imam al-Bukhari:

• Imam Muslim, Imam at-Tirmidhi, Imam an-Nasa'i, Ibn Khuzaymah, and other Imams

3. From Ibn Taymiyyah:

• Ibn al-Qayyim

• Ibn Kathir

• Ibn Athir

• Imam adh-Dhahabi

• Ibn Rajab

• All influenced by Ibn Taymiyyah

True Scholarship

Principle:

One of the signs of great scholarship is developing good students.

Knowledge is not just about giving facts and information to individuals. Rather, it is:

• Nurturing people

• Developing them

• Bringing them up in such a way that they will likewise spread the message you have taught them

This is what true scholarship is about.

Important Reference Sources

Before proceeding, we need to address where these facts and statistics come from.

Two Main Sources for Studying Imam al-Bukhari's Life

1. Siyar A'lam an-Nubala (سير أعلام النبلاء)

Author: Imam adh-Dhahabi

Content:

He compiled the biographies of all famous people who lived from the time of the Prophet ﷺ up until his time, including:

• The companions

• Every other famous person between those times

Organization:

The book is categorized into Tabaqat (different levels/time frames).

Imam al-Bukhari is mentioned in the twelfth Tabaqah (Volume 12).

Importance:

This is a very important reference point:

• Not only for Imam al-Bukhari specifically

• But generally when you want to study the biographies of any great Imam

2. Fath al-Bari (فتح الباري)

Author: Ibn Hajar al-'Asqalani

What It Is:

One of the greatest explanations ever written for any book of Hadith – an explanation of Sahih al-Bukhari.

Specific Section:

In the very beginning, Ibn Hajar compiled what he referred to as:

"Hady as-Sari" (هدي الساري) – "The Guidance of the Traveler"

In this section, he mentioned:

• The biography of Imam al-Bukhari

• Certain points of benefit pertaining to his book

For Arabic Readers:

Those who have been blessed with the Arabic language should go back to these books and:

• Learn for yourselves

• Remind yourselves of what is being said

Source Transparency:

99% of the information in this lecture is coming from these two main reference points.

The Death of Imam al-Bukhari

The Fitna Intensifies

As mentioned, when Imam al-Bukhari lived, the fitna of Khalq al-Quran (the creation of the Quran) was reaching its peak amongst the scholars of the Sunnah.

They were testing and trying each other with statements like:

"What is your opinion on the recitation of the Quran? What is your opinion on the lafz (pronunciation/utterance) of the Quran? Is it something created or not created?"

Different Approaches

Methodology of Earlier Scholars (like Imam Ahmad):

They would stick to the fact and say:

"The Quran is not created. It is the speech of Allah."

And they wouldn't delve any further than that.

Imam al-Bukhari's Approach:

He took it to the next step. He would say:

"The Quran is the speech of Allah. My recitation of the Quran is created, but those words that I speak are not created."

The Reaction

When the scholars heard this, they were dumbfounded. They thought:

"This is not the methodology we were brought up upon by Imam Ahmad."

They abandoned Imam al-Bukhari.

Understanding the Context

In our times, this may not make much sense. But looking at it from a time frame where:

• The Sunnah was prevalent

• People of Islam were everywhere

• One man bringing what they considered a "deviation" was something huge

They had the luxury of abandoning this man, hoping that:

• He would return to guidance

• Allah would bring him back to the truth

This was the point of abandoning people back then.

Contrast with Our Times

The concept of abandoning people and making Hijrah (boycotting) of people is not as easily applicable in our times today.

When someone makes a mistake, we don't have the luxury of abandoning them. Rather, it is upon us to:

• Guide them

• Remind them

• Stick to them

Why?

Because in our times, if you abandon people:

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The Jealousy Factor

There were certain individuals who were jealous of Imam al-Bukhari.

Muhammad ibn Yahya adh-Dhuhali

There was a great scholar of Hadith in Nishapur by the name of Yahya adh-Dhuhali.

He had a son named Muhammad ibn Yahya adh-Dhuhali, who was a contemporary of Imam al-Bukhari.

The Rivalry:

Muhammad ibn Yahya, being a contemporary, would try to compete with Imam al-Bukhari as much as he could.

Imam adh-Dhahabi mentions in Siyar A'lam an-Nubala:

"Muhammad ibn Yahya was always competing with Imam al-Bukhari."

Natural Consequence:

When you compete with someone, at times you will get jealous of them, and you will mention something bad about them.

The Downfall Orchestrated

When this fitna happened and reached its peak (Imam al-Bukhari saying this new statement which the scholars of the past did not say), Muhammad ibn Yahya thought:

"Now is my time to take Bukhari down. Now is my time to shine amongst the scholars of Hadith."

His Action:

He took the statement of Imam al-Bukhari, misinterpreted it, and spread it amongst the people.

In his own circles (halaqat), he said:

"Imam al-Bukhari has deviated! Abandon him!"

The Abandonment

Slowly but surely, people eventually started abandoning Imam al-Bukhari to such a degree that Imam al-Bukhari says:

"Only two people were left with me — from the students of knowledge (tulab al-'ilm) and from the scholars (shuyukh)."

The Two Who Remained:

1. Muslim ibn al-Hajjaj (Imam Muslim) — author of Sahih Muslim

2. Muhammad ibn Aslam — another student of knowledge

These were the only two people who stuck by Imam al-Bukhari at this time.

Imagining the Pain

Imagine:

At one point in time:

Then you reach a point where:

The Effect:

You can imagine the effect this has:

The Final Days

Journey to Samarqand

As Imam al-Bukhari was getting older (he died at the age of 62), he had some family members and relatives in Samarqand.

These relatives were:

They invited him to come and visit them.

Stopping in Khartanak

On his way to Samarqand, Imam al-Bukhari stopped in a village called Khartanak, where he likewise had a relative with whom he stayed.

The Heartbreaking Du'a

One of his servants mentions:

It was the month of Ramadan, and Imam al-Bukhari was standing in the night prayer. He kept making du'a to Allah, saying:

اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّ الْأَرْضَ قَدْ ضَاقَتْ عَلَيَّ بِمَا رَحُبَتْ فَاقْبِضْنِي إِلَيْكَ

"O Allah, as vast as You have made this earth, it has become constrained and congested upon me, so take me back to You."

Reflection

This is truly heartbreaking to think about:

A person like Imam al-Bukhari is forced into such a situation where he must make this du'a.

He's been:

They had eventually betrayed him and left him.

The Answer to His Du'a

The servant mentions:

"The month didn't end, except that Imam al-Bukhari passed away."

Imam al-Bukhari passed away on the first night of Shawwal — the night of Eid al-Fitr.

Within 12 days (in some narrations) after making this du'a, Imam al-Bukhari passed away.

Understanding His Du'a

Many people might think Imam al-Bukhari was committing a form of suicide or doing something wrong.

Rather, this is something he learned from his very own Sahih.

Hadith Reference:

He mentions the Hadith of the Prophet ﷺ:

"If fitna is to become rampant, then take me back to You — [take] someone who hasn't been trialed or tribulated."

Reference: Narrated in Sahih al-Bukhari

What Imam al-Bukhari Was Doing:

In a time of adversity, he turned to Allah.

Lessons from the Death of Imam al-Bukhari

Lesson 7: Taking Scholarly Criticism with Caution

Principle:

The statements of scholars upon other scholars should not be accepted unrestrictedly.

Why?

1. Sometimes a scholar will speak about another scholar due to jealousy (especially if they are contemporaries)

2. Sometimes there may be a misinterpretation of what a scholar has said

This is something to keep in mind.

Application in Our Times

In our times, there has been a lot of talk:

This should all be accepted with a grain of salt.

What You Should Do:

Lesson 8: Our Return Is to Allah

Principle:

No matter how much Allah may bless you with knowledge, your divine and eventual return will be to Allah.

You need to remember:

In any situation you are in, the only way out of it is through Allah.

Lesson 9: Turning to Allah in Times of Adversity

In a time of adversity, turn to Allah.

Imam al-Bukhari learned this from his own Sahih.

Lesson 10: The Form of Justice

Imam Muslim's Response

Muhammad ibn Yahya adh-Dhuhali (the scholar who wronged Imam al-Bukhari):

Imam Muslim returned all of his Hadith back to him. He had written nine books of Hadith from Muhammad ibn Yahya adh-Dhuhali, and he sent all nine books back, saying:

"You have done an injustice against my sheikh."

Imam al-Bukhari's Justice

Look at the justice of Imam al-Bukhari:

Even though Muhammad ibn Yahya wronged him and accused him of something inaccurate, Imam al-Bukhari still narrates from him under his kunya (Abu Ja'far).

He found a Hadith which he couldn't find with anyone else, so he narrated it from Muhammad ibn Yahya adh-Dhuhali.

This shows:

Conclusion

The life of Imam al-Bukhari provides us with countless lessons:

  1. The importance of halal income and its effect on our children
  2. The role of parents in raising righteous children
  3. The power of a mother's du'a
  4. The importance of memorization and understanding in seeking knowledge
  5. The value of studying with multiple scholars
  6. The characteristics of a true scholar — sharing knowledge and developing students
  7. Taking scholarly criticism with caution
  8. Turning to Allah in times of adversity
  9. Maintaining justice even with those who wrong us
  10. Patience and perseverance through trials

May Allah allow us to benefit from the life and works of Imam al-Bukhari, and may He make us among those who follow in the footsteps of the righteous scholars.

End of Document