Sahih al-Bukhari,One of six canonical collections of hadith. With Sahih Muslim,considered the most authoritative among Sunni Muslims. Compiled and codified in the ninth century by prophet Muhammad_ ibn Ismail al-Bukhari. Contains approximately 7,275 traditions in nine books, arranged thematically, recounting Muhammad _ 's statements on issues related to faith, belief, prayer, purification, alms, fasting, pilgrimage, monotheism, commerce, inheritance, crimes, judicial procedures, murders, wills, vows, oaths, war, wine, and hunting. Al-Bukhari was noted for careful testing of genuineness of hadith and tracing genealogies, giving rise to the methodology of ilm al-rijal («Study of men,"i.e., study of authorities in hadith transmission) and definitive shape to the body of hadith.
