Transmission Chain of Dalayl ul Khayrat: The traditional Sanad (transmission chain) of the 15th century Moroccon Sufi - Imam Jazuli
Sanads, in the Islamic scholarly tradition, are formal certificates or chains of transmission that authenticate the transmission of knowledge, texts, or spiritual authority from one scholar to another. They serve as both a guarantee of authenticity and a marker of scholarly lineage, ensuring that teachings, hadith, legal rulings, or other intellectual content are traced through recognized authorities. The system of sanads not only validates the content being transmitted but also situates scholars within a broader network of intellectual and spiritual authority. Sanads have played a crucial role in preserving the integrity of Islamic learning, particularly in religious, legal, and literary domains, and they reflect a deeply embedded culture of verification, pedagogy, and continuity across generations. Contemporary studies of sanads explore their function in historical manuscript circulation, literary transmission, and the formation of scholarly networks, offering insights into how knowledge was maintained, legitimized, and disseminated across regions and eras.