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Speaking at the international conference “Imam Bukhari’s Al-Jami’ as-Sahih – The Book of the Ummah,” held in Samarkand as part of the First International Islamic Civilization Forum, Dr. Salim AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), emphasized the unparalleled contribution of the great muhaddith to world scholarship and the science of Hadith, the distinguished scholarly status of Al-Jami’ as-Sahih, and the importance of safeguarding Imam Bukhari’s legacy today.

“Abu Abdullah Muhammad ibn Ismail Bukhari is a great scholar whose stature has been recognized by history itself. He was the first scholar to compile a dedicated work on the biographies of Hadith narrators and authored a book on the science of Hadith that has been accepted by the entire Muslim Ummah as the most authentic source after the Book of Allah. Such an extraordinary achievement did not come easily. It was the result of years of tireless effort, unwavering determination, immense patience, exceptional intellect, and unparalleled devotion to the pursuit of knowledge. From an early age, he distinguished himself through his passion for learning. He later spent sixteen years traveling, studied six hundred thousand Hadiths, learned from more than one thousand scholars, and produced works of immeasurable value to Islamic scholarship,” said Dr. Salim AlMalik.

The ICESCO Director-General noted that Imam Bukhari’s scholarly methodologies including critical analysis, the evaluation of narrators, the sciences of jarh wa ta’dil, and the identification of hidden defects (ʿilal) in Hadith constitute some of the earliest foundations of modern scientific methodology.

“We should proudly affirm that Imam Bukhari established a comprehensive methodology for verification, critical analysis, and the pursuit of truth. His legacy is not only a source of guidance for Muslims but also a model of rigorous scholarly inquiry for all humanity,” he said.

The speaker further stressed that contemporary attempts to cast doubt on Imam Bukhari’s legacy lack any scholarly foundation and emphasized that the international conference in Samarkand serves as a fitting academic response to such unfounded claims.

“This historic conference, organized jointly by Uzbekistan and ICESCO, is far more than a ceremonial gathering. It is a profound expression of our shared responsibility to safeguard the great legacy of Imam Bukhari and to preserve the spiritual identity and civilizational heritage of the Muslim Ummah. Today’s conference will stand as a powerful example of defending the truth through scholarship,” said Dr. Salim AlMalik.

In his address, the ICESCO Director-General also put forward two major initiatives aimed at further strengthening international cooperation.

“First, I propose that an international scientific conference dedicated to the Noble Hadith be held annually in different Muslim countries, with each edition focusing on a specific theme.

Second, I propose the establishment of a prestigious international annual award to promote the science of Hadith and encourage scholarly research in this field,” he said.

Dr. Salim AlMalik also highly commended the initiatives of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev aimed at promoting the in-depth study and international recognition of Imam Bukhari’s legacy.

“I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the leadership of Uzbekistan, especially His Excellency President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, for initiating this international conference. Two years ago, during our meeting, he shared with me his vision of organizing an international conference dedicated to Imam Bukhari. Today, seeing that noble aspiration realized here in Samarkand is a source of great joy for all of us,” he said.