Traditions of the life of Muhammad and the early history of Islam were passed down mostly orally for more than a hundred years after Muhammad's death in AD 632. Muslim historians say that Caliph Uthman ibn Affan (the third khalifa (caliph) of the Rashidun Caliphate, or third successor of Muhammad, who had formerly been Muhammad's secretary), is generally credited with urging Muslims to record the hadith just as Muhammad had suggested that some of his followers to write down his words and actions.^ Tirmidhi, "‘Ilm," 12.^ Collected in the Musnad of Ahmad (10\15-6\ 6510 and also nos. 6930, 7017 and 1720), Sunan Abu Dawud (Mukhtasar Sunan Abi Dawud (5\246\3499) and elsewhere.
Traditions of the life of Muhammad and the early history of Islam were passed down mostly orally for more than a hundred years after Muhammad's death in AD 632 Muslim historians say that Caliph Uthman ibn Affan (the third khalifa (caliph) of the Rashidun Caliphate or third successor of Muhammad who had formerly been Muhammad's secretary) is generally credited with urging Muslims to record the hadith just as Muhammad had suggested that some of his followers to write down his words and actions^ Tirmidhi "‘Ilm" 12^ Collected in the Musnad of Ahmad (10\15-6\ 6510 and also nos 6930 7017 and 1720) Sunan Abu Dawud (Mukhtasar Sunan Abi Dawud (5\246\3499) and elsewhere