In the vast ocean of Islamic hadith literature, few works occupy as unique a position as Al-Mustadrak ‘ala al-Sahihayn by the great 11th-century Muhaddith (hadith scholar), Imam Abu ‘Abd Allah al-Hakim al-Nishapuri (may Allah have mercy on him). Among the thousands of traditions he compiled, a specific reference—Al-Hakim al-Mustadrak vol. 4, p. 398—has garnered significant attention from scholars, students, and lay readers alike.
Why is this specific page so important? What narrations reside there? And why do scholars of Ahl al-Sunnah wa’l-Jama‘ah, as well as those from other Islamic intellectual traditions, frequently cite this precise location? This article unpacks the significance, the content, and the scholarly debates surrounding this landmark page.
To provide a more detailed explanation or discussion of the content on Vol. 4 p. 398 of Al-Hakim al-Mustadrak, access to the specific hadith or passage is required. Islamic libraries, digital archives, or scholarly works that focus on hadith studies might offer translations or detailed analyses of such passages.
The reference "al-hakim al-mustadrak vol. 4 p. 398" is emblematic of the broader journey into Islamic Hadith criticism. It reminds us that a single page can contain a Prophetic teaching about the future, a subtle chain of narrators spanning 400 years, and a fierce academic debate between two giants of the tradition—al-Hakim and al-Dhahabi.
Whether you are a graduate student verifying a footnote, an imam preparing a sermon on the signs of the Hour, or a lay reader exploring the richness of prophetic traditions, turning to this page is an act of scholarly humility. It shows you the raw material of Islamic law and theology: the transmitted word, tested by rigorous critique, preserved through centuries, and laid open for honest inquiry.
Next time you encounter a citation to Al-Mustadrak, vol. 4, p. 398, do not just copy it. Open the volume. Read the isnad. Read al-Dhahabi’s response. And join the timeless conversation between the muhaddithun (traditionists) who guarded the legacy of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) with unparalleled precision.
Further Reading Suggestions:
Have you researched a specific Hadith from Al-Mustadrak? Share your findings below or consult a qualified scholar for detailed chain analysis.
Al-Hakim al-Mustadrak is a renowned hadith collection compiled by Muhammad ibn Abdur Rahman al-Hakim al-Naisaburi, a prominent Islamic scholar. The work is considered one of the most important and reliable collections of hadith (the sayings and actions of the Prophet Muhammad) in Islam.
The specific reference you provided, "Al-Hakim al-Mustadrak Vol. 4 p. 398," points to a particular hadith or passage within this extensive collection. Unfortunately, without access to the specific content or a detailed summary of what is discussed on that page, I can provide a general overview of the significance of Al-Hakim al-Mustadrak and the importance of hadith collections in Islamic scholarship.
Imam al-Hakim declared the narrations on this page as Sahih (authentic). However, later hadith masters—most notably Imam al-Dhahabi (d. 748 AH), who wrote an abridged version of Al-Mustadrak (Al-Talkhis)—frequently disagreed.
In his Talkhis, al-Dhahabi’s comments on the narrations of page 398 are legendary. Regarding the "City of Knowledge" hadith, al-Dhahabi often writes: "This is Munkar (rejected)" or "I do not know this chain to be authentic." Thus, this single page represents the core tension between al-Hakim’s leniency (or vast knowledge of chains) and al-Dhahabi’s stricter, later scrutiny.
The key to understanding the value of vol. 4, p. 398 lies in the margins. Al-Hakim often concludes a Hadith with: "This is a Sahih Hadith, not compiled by al-Bukhari and Muslim" (هذا حديث صحيح على شرطهما ولم يخرجاه). al-hakim al-mustadrak vol. 4 p. 398
However, Imam al-Dhahabi, in his Talkhis, frequently responds with:
Scholars advise: Never quote al-Hakim’s Mustadrak without referencing al-Dhahabi’s verdict in the margin. A tradition on p. 398 that al-Hakim calls "Sahih" might be downgraded by al-Dhahabi due to a hidden defect (‘illah) or a transmitter known for tadlis (concealing defects in transmission).
Al-Hakim al-Mustadrak is structured to cover various aspects of life, guiding Muslims on matters of faith, jurisprudence, and conduct. It is known for its rigorous criteria for authentication, making it a valuable resource for understanding the teachings of Islam.
Al-Hakim al-Mustadrak stands as a testament to the scholarly efforts in preserving and interpreting Islamic teachings. For those interested in a particular passage, such as Vol. 4 p. 398, consulting a scholarly source or a detailed hadith commentary would provide the most accurate and insightful information.
In Al-Mustadrak al-Hakim , Volume 4, Page 398, a significant report records the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) stating:
"Allah will never gather my Ummah (or he said, this Ummah) upon misguidance, and Allah’s Hand is with the congregation." Report Details In the vast ocean of Islamic hadith literature,
Narrator: Narrated from Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him).
Core Message: The Prophet (ﷺ) emphasizes the protection of the Muslim community from collectively falling into error or misguidance, highlighting the divine support found in unity (al-Jama'ah).
Authentication: While Al-Hakim al-Nishapuri typically included hadiths he considered authentic according to the criteria of Sahih al-Bukhari or Sahih Muslim, many reports in this collection (including those in Vol. 4) were later scrutinized by scholars like Al-Dhahabi for their transmission chains. Significance of the Text
This specific report is often cited in Islamic jurisprudence and theology to support the concept of Ijma' (Consensus), asserting that the collective agreement of the Muslim community serves as a reliable source of religious authority.
Al-Mustadrak: A Hadith Compilation Both Praised and Criticized
The page often references obscure narrators from the 2nd and 3rd Islamic centuries. Scholars of rijal (narrator criticism) will cite this page when discussing figures like ‘Abdullah ibn Lahi‘ah or al-Walid ibn Muslim—known for mixing authentic narrations with weak ones. Further Reading Suggestions: