and its meticulous arrangement, attention to the subtlest indications, and the elegant scholarly remarks woven into its chains of transmission. All this, however, lies outside the scope of our present inquiry, which is limited to authenticity, robustness, and what pertains to them. In this respect no book equals Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, as is proven by the completeness of the qualities required for soundness that are realized in its transmitters.

Some scholars have refrained from giving either collection priority over the other, yet the correct position is the first.

The Agreed-Upon Reports

A report that both al-Bukhārī and Muslim chose to cite is termed “agreed upon” (muttafaqun ʿalayh), on the condition—added by the Shaykh—that it is traced back to a single Companion.

The Number of Agreed-Upon Hadiths

It has been said that the total number of agreed-upon hadiths is 2,326.