The Book of Fasting - Sunan an-Nasa'i

This narration from Sunan an-Nasa'i 2227 presents a chain of transmission (isnad) demonstrating the meticulous preservation of prophetic traditions. Al-Hakam's statement "I heard it from him forty years ago" exemplifies the scholarly precision in hadith transmission, where narrators carefully documented both the content and the timeline of their learning.

Scholarly Commentary

The mention of forty years signifies the longevity and continuity of Islamic knowledge transmission. This temporal reference serves as evidence of the narrator's strong memory and the reliability of the chain. Such precise dating was characteristic of classical scholars who maintained rigorous standards in preserving the Sunnah.

The subsequent chain through Maimun bin Abi Shabib from Mu'adh bin Jabal further strengthens the narration's authenticity. Mu'adh bin Jabal was among the prominent Companions known for his deep understanding of Islamic jurisprudence, making his narrations particularly valuable in matters of worship including fasting.

Legal Implications

While the specific content of the hadith isn't quoted here, the meticulous preservation methodology shown in this chain reflects the careful approach scholars applied to all matters of ibadah (worship), including the regulations of fasting. This demonstrates why classical scholars placed such emphasis on authentic chains when deriving legal rulings.