The Book of Virtues - Sahih Muslim 2297 c

This narration from 'Abdullah ibn Mas'ud (may Allah be pleased with him) reaches us through an alternative chain of transmission (isnad), which scholars of hadith term as "ṭarīqun ukhrā" - another path. Such multiple chains strengthen the authenticity and reliability of the Prophetic tradition, as they demonstrate widespread preservation and memorization among the Companions and their students.

Scholarly Commentary

The existence of multiple transmission chains indicates the importance early Muslims placed upon preserving the Prophet's teachings exactly as they were delivered. When a hadith comes through different companions and paths of narrators, it reaches the highest level of authenticity (ṣaḥīḥ) and becomes undeniable evidence in Islamic jurisprudence.

Classical scholars like Imam Muslim meticulously documented these alternative chains to eliminate any doubt about the saying's provenance. This particular method of compilation demonstrates the rigorous scientific approach Muslims developed for verifying Prophetic traditions, ensuring that nothing foreign could be inserted into the pure teachings of Islam.

Legal and Spiritual Significance

Hadiths with multiple chains carry greater weight in deriving legal rulings and establishing acts of worship. They provide stronger evidence for jurists when determining the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

For believers, such well-attested traditions offer greater confidence in following the Prophetic example, knowing these teachings have been preserved through numerous reliable sources across generations, fulfilling Allah's promise to protect His revelation and the Prophetic legacy.