Is it a condition for a mutawātir ḥadīth to have multiple chains of transmission, or is a single chain sufficient if its narrators are so numerous that their conspiracy to lie is impossible? And is it a condition for a mashhūr, ʿazīz, or gharīb ḥadīth that its narrators (three or more, two, or one, respectively) be Companions?
Mutawatir Hadith (Consecutively Transmitted): This is a hadith narrated by a group of people whose agreement upon a lie is impossible. This continuous transmission persists in every layer of the chain of narration, and its origin must be based on sensory perception. It is of two types: verbal (لفظي) and conceptual (معنوي).
Mashhur Hadith (Well-Known): This is a hadith narrated by three or more narrators in every layer, provided it does not reach the level of mutawatir.
Gharib Hadith (Uncommon/Strange): This is a hadith narrated by only one narrator in all or some layers of the chain of narration.
Aziz Hadith (Strong/Rare): This is a hadith narrated by no fewer than two narrators from no fewer than two narrators in all layers of the chain of narration.
These terminologies and conditions apply to all layers of the chain of narration, including the layer of the Companions.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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