The word · Hadith
الغَرِيب
Gharib
A hadith narrated by only one person at some point in its chain.
Also written · Ghareeb · Garib · Ghareib · Gharib hadith · Ghareeb hadeeth · Fard · Fard mutlaq · Strange hadith · Gharib al-hadith
The meaning
What Gharib means in Islam
Gharib means strange, or lone. It is not a criticism in itself: the famous hadith that deeds are judged by intentions is gharib at its start and sits in both Sahihs. The same word has a second and unrelated use, gharib al-hadith, meaning the study of rare and difficult words inside hadith texts.
Evidence · Editorial · Our own summary, drawn from the sources named
Read beside it
Words that sit beside it
- AzizA hadith which at no stage of its chain has fewer than two narrators.العَزِيز
- MashhurA hadith carried by three or more narrators at each stage, well known but short of mutawatir.المَشْهُور
- AhadAny hadith that does not reach the level of mutawatir, however strong its single chain may be.الآحَاد
- SahihA hadith that meets all five conditions of authenticity, with nothing missing and no hidden flaw.الصَّحِيح
More from Hadith
- AdalahThe uprightness of a narrator: sane, adult, Muslim, not openly sinful, not known for shameful habits.العَدَالَة
- HafizIn hadith, a master who has memorised a very large number of reports together with their chains.الحَافِظ
- Jarh wa Ta'dilThe discipline of criticising or vouching for narrators, so that a chain can be judged fairly.الجَرْحُ وَالتَّعْدِيل
- MawqufA report that stops at a Companion: his own statement or action, not attributed to the Prophet.المَوْقُوف
- MusnadEither a hadith with a connected chain reaching the Prophet, or a book arranged by narrating Companion.المُسْنَد
- Sahih al-BukhariThe collection of Muhammad ibn Isma'il al-Bukhari, held to be the soundest book after the Qur'an.صَحِيحُ البُخَارِيّ