Summarized Sahih Al-Bukhari (Large)

The scholars of Islam said about Sahih al-Bukhari: "The most authentic book after the Book of Allah is Sahih al-Bukhari." Imam al-Bukhari spent over sixteen years compiling this collection — examining more than 600,000 narrations and selecting approximately 7,275 (with repetitions) whose authenticity he established beyond doubt. Every hadith in it was subject to the most rigorous standards of verification ever applied to transmitted knowledge.

About This Book

Summarized Sahih al-Bukhari (Large Edition) is the classical abridgement of the collection made by al-Imam Zain-ud-Din Ahmad bin Abdul-Lateef az-Zubaidi, translated into clear, modern English by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan. The abridgement presents the full text of each hadith while removing the repeated chains of transmission that appear in the complete edition. The result is a single large volume giving the English-speaking Muslim direct access to the most authenticated collection of prophetic narrations in existence.

What This Collection Contains

The Words and Actions of the Prophet — Authenticated

Imam al-Bukhari organized his collection into chapters covering the complete range of Islamic life: purification, prayer, the call to prayer, Friday prayer, the two Eid prayers, witr prayer, supplication, zakah, fasting, Hajj, sales, marriage, divorce, inheritance, jihad, food, drink, clothing, medicine, manners and etiquette, matters of the heart, the events of the Hereafter, and the descriptions of Paradise and the Fire. Reading Sahih al-Bukhari is reading Islam from its most reliable primary source in English.

Chapter Headings as Fiqh

One of Imam al-Bukhari's celebrated achievements is his chapter headings — each one chosen with deliberate care to draw out a ruling or point of benefit from the hadith that follows. The scholars say: "The fiqh of al-Bukhari is in his chapter headings." This dimension of the collection is preserved in this edition.

About the Original Compiler

Imam Muhammad ibn Ismail al-Bukhari (194–256 AH) was the greatest hadith scholar in Islamic history — a man of extraordinary memory, piety, and precision whose collection has been the standard reference for authentic prophetic narrations for over twelve centuries. This abridgement is by al-Imam az-Zubaidi, translated by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan. Published by Darussalam Publishers.

Who This Book Is For

Every Muslim who wants to read the authentic words and actions of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) directly. The large format makes it ideal for home study, halaqah use, and Islamic education. For any Muslim who has never read Sahih al-Bukhari, this summarized edition is the most accessible starting point. For students of knowledge, it is an essential companion to any course of Islamic study.

Continue Reading

Its companion volume is Summarized Sahih Muslim — together the two form the foundation of any English hadith library. Browse the full hadith collection or see our guide to the best hadith books to start with the Sunnah.