Why did hadith transmitters need knowledge of Arabic?

In the study of Hadith, knowledge of the Arabic language was considered a vital prerequisite for trustworthy transmitters. Because hadiths serve as a foundational source for Islamic law and moral guidance, precision in their transmission is essential.12

Transmitters were required to possess sufficient proficiency in Arabic to understand how the specific phrasing or oral expression of a report could impact its intended meaning. This linguistic competence ensured that narrators could accurately grasp the content of the traditions they were relaying, rather than simply memorizing words without comprehension. By understanding the nuances of the language, transmitters were better equipped to relay reports verbatim and maintain the integrity of the Prophet Muhammad's teachings.1

This requirement was part of a broader system of scholarly evaluation—known as ilm al-hadith—designed to distinguish authoritative reports from unreliable ones or forgeries, ensuring that the Sunnah was preserved with the highest degree of accuracy.13