476 EEMARKS UPON THE 



his actions so many examples of virtue; and the public 

 and private memorials were preserved by his wives and 

 companions." In fact, the ordinances of the Koran, in 

 civil affairs are few and imperfect ; and must have 

 proved altogether inadequate to provide for the various 

 objects of legislation, in a large and civilized commu- 

 nity, without the aid of the Soonnut, or rule of conduct, 

 deduced from the oral precepts, actions, and decisions, 

 of the prophet. These were not committed to writing 

 by MoHUMMUD ; but were collected after his death, 

 by tradition, from his companions, (the Sahdhah ;) 

 their contemporaries, (Tubiieeti, literally, followers ;) 

 and successors (Tzihd-i'^tdhueen ;) and the authentic 

 traditions, which have been preserved in numerous 

 compilations of Ahddees^ (dicta, factaque ; precepts 

 and transactions;) Soontm, (instituta vit^e, exempla ; 

 rules of practice and examples ;) orRiwdyat, (relationes, 

 reports;) constitute a second authority of Mosulman 

 law; conclusive (if the authenticity and application of 

 the traditions be admitted) in all cases not expressly 

 <3etermined by the words of the Kordn *. 



•The collections of traditions held in the most general estiniiition, 

 as genuine and authoritatire, by the Soonces, or orthodox traditi- 

 onists, are the lollowing; dcnotninated Sihuh-i-sitta ; or the six au- 

 thenizcs, 



1. Saheeh-i'Bokharee. Compiled by Auoo Abdooll-ah, Mo-. 

 HUMMUD, oi Bokhara, He was born A. H. 194; and died in the 

 year 256 ; in the suburbs of Sumurkund. His compilation is said 

 to contain above seven thousand traditions; selected from 500,000. 



2. Sahceh-i-Moodim. By Aboo'i. Hose'n, Mooshm, oi Nif'shu- 

 poor. He died A. H.261 ; and is also said to have compiled his 

 work from 300,000 traditions. This and the prt'ceding collection, 

 ■when cited together, arc called Saliceh/n, or the tivo authentics. 



3. Sootmn-i-l!}n-t Majah. By Mohummud-bin-i yuzeed, bin-i 

 Majah: oI Kuzeen. (Erroneously named Ben Mohummud, in 

 D'Herbelot. Title Sanan Ebn Magia/i.) He died at Kuzvcen, in 

 Ir^^k, A, H.273. 



4. Soonun-i Ahoo D'wod. By Aboo Da'ood, Solyma'n, of Sffu- 

 tan. He was born A. H. 202 ; and died at Emrah, in the year 2/5. 

 His work is stated to consist of 4,800 traditio.is selected from 

 500,000. 



