Hadith as Sunna, but it is not necessary that a Sunna would have a supporting hadith sanctioning it. Some sources (Khaled Abou El Fadl) limit hadith to verbal reports, with the deeds of Muhammad and reports about his companions being part of the "Sunnah", but not hadith. Joseph Schacht quotes a Hadith by Muhammad that is used "to justify reference" in Islamic law to companions of Muhammad as religious authorities — "My companions are like lodestars." According to Schacht, (and other scholars) in the very first generations after the death of Muhammad, use of hadith from "Sahabah" ("companions" of Muhammad) and
Hadith terminology "with something, such as numerous chains of narration, strengthening it." Ibn Hajar's definitions indicate that there are five conditions to be met for a particular "hadith" to be considered "ṣaḥīḥ": A number of books were authored in which the author stipulated the inclusion of "ṣaḥīḥ hadith" alone. According to Ahl al-Sunna, this was only achieved by the first two books in the following list: "Ḥasan" ( meaning "good") is used to describe "hadith" whose authenticity is not as well-established as that of "ṣaḥīḥ hadith", but sufficient for use as supporting evidence. Ibn Hajar defines a "hadith" that is "ḥasan lithatihi"""ḥasan"