Hafiz of 600,000 Ahadees

He رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه states at another place: I know six hundred thousand Ahadees by heart. It took me sixteen years to choose from them and write this compilation (Bukhari). I have made it a proof (Wasilah) between myself and Allah Almighty. (Muqaddamah, Fath-ul-Baari, pp. 10) I have written only Sahih Ahadees in my book. Those Ahadees that I left thinking the book would grow very long are a lot more in number than these. (Nuzha-tul-Qaari, pp. 130)

He رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه also wrote various other books^[1] but Sahih Bukhari is such a remarkable achievement of Sayyiduna Imam Bukhari رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه which not only acquired acclaim among the common people and special dignitaries, but also acquired immense acclaim in the blessed court of the Holy Rasool          صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم too. How was that? The Holy Rasool صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم associated it towards himself by calling it “my book”.

Acceptance of Sahih Bukhari in the blessed court of the Holy Rasool صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم

Sayyiduna Imam Abu Zaid Marvazi رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه states: My fortune shone when I was once asleep in Makkah-e-Mukarramah between Maqaam-e-Ibraheem and ‘Hajar-e-Aswad. I saw a dream that the Holy Rasool صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم is saying: ‘O Abu Zaid! Until when will you keep delivering the Dars of Kitab-e-Shafi’i? Why don’t you deliver the Dars of my book?’ He رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه states: I humbly requested: ‘Ya Rasool Allah صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم! May my life be sacrificed upon you! Which is your book?’ The Holy Rasool صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم replied: ‘Jami’ Muhammad Bin Isma’eel, i.e. Imam Bukhari’s book “Bukhari Shareef”. (Bustan-ul-Muhaddiseen, pp. 275)

O devotees of Awliya! Just ponder. What great blessings and virtues would be reaped by those who read, listen to and finish the book that the Holy Rasool صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم likes and associates towards himself. For persuasion, let’s go through some of the virtues of Khatm-e-Bukhari (completion of Bukhari).