The compilation of Sunnah or hadith books is one of the important topics in the history of hadith. After a ban on writing and recording hadith was lifted, not only all Muslim sects began to allow recording prophetic traditions but they also considered it to be necessary. However, before the ban was lifted, the followers of the Sunni sects regarded recording hadith to be impermissible. Until the year 140 A.H. it was not permissible according to them to record any prophetic traditions since the Umayyad rulers whom the Sunni community was following had imposed a ban on compiling and narrating traditions. Sunni scholars, however, have put forth their arguments and justifications as to the strictures imposed during this era. According to us, those justifications are lame and subject to criticism. When it comes to Shiites who follow the Prophet and his household, they have never abandoned recording and protecting prophetic traditions. They present solid proofs and strong arguments to show that Shiites compiled hadith books from the early period of Islam until the period of the occultation of the twelfth divine authority.
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