I would like to know about some titles given to the scholars of Prophetic narrations, may Allaah have mercy on them.

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger. We ask Allaah to exalt his mention as well as that of his family and all his companions.

Among the titles by which the scholars of Prophetic narrations were known are the following:

1-     The leader of the believers in Prophetic narrations: Among the scholars who were given this title are Al-Bukhari and Muslim, and others.

2-     Al-Haafith: This is a title for whoever memorized authentic narrations and weak narrations, but having full knowledge of the chain of narrators and the biography of men, and the knowledge of each narrator whether he is trustworthy or weak. The scholars, who were given this title are Ibn Katheer and others.

3-     Al-Muhaddith: He is the one who has many qualities like Al-Haafith, but he did not reach his status.

4-     Al-Musnid: This is a title for whoever listened to narrations and reported them without having knowledge in the field of narrations and its sciences, and without mastering this knowledge.

Allaah Knows best.