The difference between متفق عليه and رواه البخارى و مسلم

Introduction:

In the realm of hadith scholarship, the terms “متفق عليه” and “رواه البخاري ومسلم” are often used interchangeably, denoting hadiths present in both Imam Bukhari’s and Imam Muslim’s collections. However, a nuanced examination reveals subtle distinctions between these terms. This article aims to elucidate the disparity through illustrative examples, shedding light on when to appropriately apply “متفق عليه” and when “رواه البخاري ومسلم” becomes more fitting.

This can be clarified with the following two examples:

Example 1 – can be termed متفق عليه

The following hadith is narrated in both Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim;

The narrator of the hadith in both books is Abu Hurayra. Therefore this hadith would be classed as one that is متفق عليه. This is due to the hadith having the same narrator.

As this hadith is narrated by the same individual in both collections, namely Abu Hurayra, it qualifies as “متفق عليه.” The identical narrators establish a consensus between the two revered compilations, emphasising the reliability and authenticity of the hadith.

Example 2 – should not be termed متفق عليه

Contrastingly, examine the hadith found in both Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim, but with distinct narrators:

In Sahih Bukhari, this hadith is narrated by Jabir bin Abdullah, while in Sahih Muslim, it is narrated by Hudhaifa and Abu Shaiba. Despite the congruence in the hadith’s content, the variance in narrators prompts scholars to refrain from categorising it as “متفق عليه.” Instead, it is more accurately designated as “رواه البخاري ومسلم,” because the narrators of the hadith are different even though the matn of the hadith is the same.

Conclusion

In summary, “متفق عليه” encapsulates hadiths present in both Bukhari and Muslim, with an essential prerequisite being the congruence of the narrator. Conversely, when distinct narrators are involved, as seen in the second example, scholars advocate using the term “رواه البخاري ومسلم” to acknowledge the commonality in content while recognising the divergence in transmission chains. This nuanced understanding contributes to a more precise and nuanced discourse within the field of hadith scholarship, ensuring accuracy in categorisation and preserving the integrity of the prophetic traditions.