Classification of ahad hadis

based on acceptance and rejection

Ahad
Solitary Also known as Khabar al-Wahid
Transmitted by one narrator only

 Hadith Sahih
Continuous isnad Can be traced back to Prophet Muhammad s.a.w.

Pre-requisites of Sahih
Free of both obvious and subtle defects. Clear of uncertainty and doubt. Not contradict a reliable hadith. Not an isolated hadith (Hadith Ahad).

Example of Hadith Sahih:

Narrated 'Ali: The Prophet s.a.w. said, "Do not tell a lie against me for whoever tells a lie against me (intentionally) then he will surely enter the Hellfire." (Book of Knowledge, Sahih Bukhari)

Note: It is recorded in Sahih Bukhari, there are five different isnad to this hadith.

 Hadith Hasan
Falls between Sahih and Daif Reporters were ambiguous

Example of Hadith Hasan:

Malik, Abu Dawud, At-Tirmidhi, and Al-Hakim reported through their isnad from `Amr ibn Shu`aib -his father -- his grandfather, that the Prophet s.a.w. said, A single rider is a devil (i.e. disobedient), two riders are two devils, but three make a traveling party.

 Hadith Daif
Fails to qualify the conditions of Sahih and Hasan It is weak Weakness may be in the isnad or in the text, or both
Ulama held three different views with regard to acting on Hadith Daif.

It has no absolute value and should not be followed. Preferable to act on a Hadith Daif than on personal opinion. Taking Hadith Daif which refers to moral virtues but not in legal injunctions.