According to the reliable documentary evidences, the very first book of hadith in Islam is called Jame’ah or Sahifah which was dictated to Imam Ali (peace be upon him) by the holy Prophet (peace be upon him).
This book was kept by the Imams and used as a reference. Amongst other early books of hadith is one written by Salman Farsi, known as Jathaligh Roomi.1
Another is a book by Abu Rafa, known as Al-Sonan va Al-Ahkam va Al-Ghazaya 2, and also a book by Salim Ibn Ghays Helali. In addition to these books there have been further hadiths collected by the companions and followers, of which only a few names and vestiges have remained.3
- Refer to Ershad-ol-Gholoub Dailami, p. 301; Tazkereh Aghtab Oveyssi, vol. 1, p. 269.
- Abu Rafe Mola Rasoul Allah, p. 57.
- Refer to the article “The Time of the Compilation of the Hadith”, Kayhan-e Andisheh journal, vol. 20, p.p. 55-69; Seyr-e Hadith Dar Islam.