A simple guide to musalsal hadith and the musalsal narrations of love (al musalsal bil mahabbah)

ByShaykh Haytham Tamim

Understanding musalsal hadith

Musalsal hadith are a fascinating part of hadith studies because they show not only what was narrated but how the narration was passed from teacher to student across generations. Instead of focusing only on the words of the hadith, this category highlights repeated patterns in the chain of transmission, such as a shared phrase, action, time, or place. These patterns help us see the continuity of teaching, the relationship between narrators, and the unique ways in which knowledge travelled through the Muslim world. This article explains the main types of musalsal hadith in clear and simple English.

Ibn Hajar al Asqalani (d. 852 AH), may Allah have mercy on him, said in Nuzhat al-Nazar, as edited by our teacher Dr Nur al Din Itr (may Allah have mercy on him):

“When the transmitters of an isnad agree upon:

  1. Modes of performance (sighat al ada’), such as: ‘I heard so-and-so say: I heard so-and-so,’ or: ‘So-and-so narrated to us; he said: so-and-so narrated to us,’ and similar formulas; or other verbal states such as: ‘I heard so-and-so say: I swear by Allah, so-and-so narrated to me…’ and the like;

  2. Actions, such as: ‘We entered upon so-and-so and he offered us dates…’ and so on;

  3. A combination of verbal and action-based states, such as: ‘So-and-so narrated to me while holding his beard, saying: I believe in divine decree…’ and similar examples

then the hadith is called a musalsal.”

(1) The complete wording of the hadith is:
“I believe in divine decree (al-qadar), its good and its evil, its sweetness and its bitterness.”
Al Hakim transmitted it with full musalsal continuity in Ma‘rifat ‘Ulum al Hadith (pp. 31–32), and al Ayyubi in al-Manahil al-Salsala (pp. 35–38).

(2) Musalsal: a hadith in which the transmitters follow one another upon the same description or state, whether relating to the narrators themselves or to the manner of narration.
The musalsal pattern strengthens the connectedness of the chain and gives it a particular “sweetness.” Its ruling is the ruling of a connected isnad: it is accepted when the other conditions of authenticity are fulfilled.

(3) This refers to the hadith:
“The merciful are shown mercy by the Most Merciful.”
Its musalsal pattern is that each narrator said: “So-and-so narrated to me, and it was the first hadith I heard from him.”
However, the musalsal pattern is authentically established only up to Sufyan ibn Uyayna. The narrations after him remain connected but without musalsal continuity.

What is a musalsal hadith?

A musalsal hadith is a narration in which every narrator in the chain shares a particular repeated feature. This feature may be something they said, something they did, or a condition they were in at the time of narration. Scholars valued these narrations because they preserve details about how knowledge was transmitted, showing the closeness of teacher and student and the style of teaching in different periods.

Musalsal by saying

This is when each narrator repeats a specific phrase or wording that they heard from their teacher. The most well-known example is the musalsal of love, al-musalsal-bil mahabbah). the hadith of Muadh (may Allah be pleased with him), in which each narrator begins with the phrase, “I love you, so say…” This consistent verbal formula across the generations creates a chain that is linked not only by individuals but also by the shared phrase and shared love.

Musalsal by action

In this type, a repeated action accompanies the narration. Each narrator performs the same gesture their teacher performed.

  • Musalsal with handshaking: each narrator shakes hands when narrating.
  • Musalsal with smiling: each narrator smiles before narrating.
  • Musalsal with embracing: each narrator hugs his student.
  • Musalsal with a smile: each narrates with a smile saying “my teacher did the same.

This type reflects the warmth, etiquette, and manners that often surrounded the transmission of hadith.

Musalsal of first-hearing (al-awwaliyyah)

This is one of the most famous types of musalsal hadith. It is a narration that each narrator received as the very first hadith they heard from their teacher. A well-known example is the hadith, “The merciful are shown mercy by the All-Merciful.” Scholars often began their studies with this narration because it teaches mercy and sets the tone for seeking knowledge.

Musalsal by time

A musalsal by time is transmitted at a specific shared time. Each narrator states that they heard the hadith at the same type of moment, such as on a Friday or during Ramadan. This creates a link across generations through the timing of the narration.

Musalsal by place

In this type, all narrators receive and transmit the hadith in the same location. Examples include narrations passed on in Masjid al-Haram or beside the well of Zamzam. A chain linked by place helps scholars trace the geographical journey of hadith and the importance of sacred locations in the tradition.

Musalsal by condition or state

A musalsal by state is narrated while the narrators are in the same physical condition.

Narrators relate it:

  • while standing,
  • or sitting,
  • or holding their beards,
    and each says: “My teacher narrated it to me in this state.

Musalsal by reading or recitation

This type refers to a narration passed on through the same style of reading or reciting. For example, narrators may read the same book, in the same manner, while passing on the hadith. It reflects precision in the method of study and the preservation of scholarly technique.

Musalsal by name

A musalsal by name is a chain in which all narrators share the same personal name. For example, a narration transmitted entirely by scholars named Muhammad. This type is rare but interesting from a historical point of view.

Musalsal by lineage or kunya

Here, the narrators share a kunya, such as “Abu so-and-so,” or a particular family label. While uncommon, it adds another layer of unity within the chain and is often noted by scholars because of its unusual nature.

Musalsal by attribute

This type is linked by a shared characteristic among the narrators. Each narrator says that they received it from a teacher with that same attribute, highlighting the diversity of personalities and expertise in the hadith tradition.

For instance, a chain in which narrators share a particular attribute, such as:

  • blindness,
  • eloquence,
  • or being scholars of a particular field.

Each narrator says: “I received it from my teacher who had this attribute…”

What are the musalsal narrations of love?

Within the wider category of musalsal hadith, there is a special subcategory known as the musalsal narrations of love. These are narrations in which expressions of love appear repeatedly in the chain. The most famous is the hadith of Muadh ibn Jabal (may Allah be pleased with him), but there are others in which the idea of love is present, although they are not as well established or as authentic.

1. The well-known, original musalsal hadith of love

This is the most authentic and widely recognised musalsal of love. In the hadith of Muadh ibn Jabal (may Allah be pleased with him), the Prophet said to him: “O Muadh, by Allah, I truly love you.” (Abu Dawud). This narration is unique because every narrator in the chain repeats the same formula to their student: “Indeed, I love you, so say…” before teaching the supplication. This creates a genuine musalsal chain that reaches back to the Companions.

عن معاذ بن جبل رضي الله تعالى عنه قال:

أنَّ رسولَ اللَّه صلَّى اللَّه علَيهِ وسلَّمَ أخذَ بيدِهِ، وقالَ: يا مُعاذُ، واللَّهِ إنِّي لأحبُّكَ، واللَّهِ إنِّي لأحبُّك، قلت: وأنا واللهِ، فقالَ : أَلا أُعَلِّمُكَ كَلِماتٍ تقولُها في دُبُرِ كلِّ صَلاتِكَ قُلْتُ : نَعَمْ ، قال : قُلْ : اللهمَّ أَعِنِّي على ذكرِكَ وشُكْرِكَ ، و حُسْنِ عِبادَتِكَ

Muʿadh ibn Jabal (may Allah be pleased with him) said:

“The Messenger of Allah ﷺ took hold of my hand and said: ‘O Muʿadh, by Allah, I indeed love you; by Allah, I truly love you.’

I said: ‘And I, by Allah, [love you as well].’

He then said: ‘Shall I not teach you some words to say at the end of every prayer?’
I said: ‘Yes, indeed.’

He said: ‘Say: O Allah, help me to remember You, to thank You, and to worship You in the best manner.’” (Abu Dawud)

2. The hadith “Those who love one another for Allah’s sake will be upon pulpits of light”

Reported by al-Tirmidhi, this hadith is sometimes narrated with expressions of love in the chain, but this pattern is not part of the original chain. Instead, some later teachers would say to their students, “I love you for Allah’s sake, and with that I narrate this hadith to you.” This is a teaching method added by later scholars, not a true inherited musalsal chain like the hadith of Muadh.

3. The hadith “If Allah loves a servant, He calls Jibril…”

Reported by al-Bukhari, this hadith describes Allah’s love for His servant. Although some later chains include expressions of love between narrators, it is not an authentic musalsal in its original form. The repetition in transmission is a later addition and not part of the early, established chain.

Are these musalsal love narrations authentic?

Not all musalsal narrations are authentic. The most authentic and famous ones include:

  • Musalsal of First-Hearing (al-Awwaliyyah)
  • Musalsal of Love (Hadith of Muʿadh)
  • Musalsal of Handshaking

Musalsal hadith are beautiful examples of how knowledge was transmitted in Islam. They highlight the personal connection between teachers and students, the manners of scholars, and the fine details preserved in the science of hadith. Although there are many types, only a few are authentically established, especially among the musalsal narrations of love. The most reliable of these is the famous hadith of Muadh, which continues to be taught with its original wording and spirit across generations.

Shaykh Haytham Tamim Hadith Class 15th November 2025

 

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