The preservation and compilation of ḥadīth is an extremely important topic with a unique history that we as Muslims should be aware of and familiar with. During the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th centuries of Islam there were a number of different ḥadīth collections in circulation throughout the Muslim world.  By the middle of the 4th century a selection of these works were recognized as authoritative. This selection came to be known as the six books (al-kutub al-sittah) or the six authentic books (al-ṣiḥāḥ al-sittah), which are referred to as the ḥadīth canon. They are Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, Sunan Abī Dāwūd, Sunan al-Nasā’ī, Sunan ibn Mājah, and Jāmiʿ al-Tirmidhī. This course will explore the preservation and compilation of ḥadīth and provide a brief introduction to the six books.