Question Summary:
Where can I purchase Sahīh al-Bukhārī?

Question Detail:

Assalāmu ῾alaykum wa Rahmatullāhi Wabarakātuh  
          Can you please give detail on exact names to purchase Sahīh Al Bukhari. I would like to know if there is a online website to read and purchase a book of the Sahīh Al Bukhari.

Answer :

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.
It is pleasing to see your enthusiasm for learning Dīn. We ask Allāh Ta’ālā to grant you perseverance. Amīn.
Learning the fundamentals of Dīn is obligatory on every believer, both male and female. The virtues of seeking Dīnī knowledge have been explained in the Ahādīth of Rasūlullāh Sallallāhu Alaihi Wa Sallam. Rasūlullāh Sallallāhu Alaihi Wa Sallam has stated:
وَمَنْ سَلَكَ طَرِيقًا يَلْتَمِسُ فِيهِ عِلْمًا، سَهَّلَ اللهُ لَهُ بِهِ طَرِيقًا إِلَى الْجَنَّةِ (صحيح مسلم، بَابُ فَضْلِ الِاجْتِمَاعِ عَلَى تِلَاوَةِ الْقُرْآنِ وَعَلَى الذِّكْرِ)
Allāh Ta’ālā will facilitate the road towards Jannah for the one traverses the road of seeking knowledge. (Sahīh Muslim)
It is pertinent that the correct avenues be adopted to seek authentic knowledge. Authentic knowledge is that which was transmitted from Rasūlullāh Sallallāhu Alaihi Wa Sallam to the Ummah. The Muhaddithīn (scholars of Hadīth) made great efforts to preserve each and every statement of Rasūlullāh Sallallāhu Alaihi Wa Sallam. The Fuqahā (Jurists) were blessed by Allāh with the capability of deriving Fiqhī Laws (Jurisprudence) from the Qurān and Hadīth. They extracted the laws and presented it in a way that was most easy for everyone to follow. This is well known to the Ulamā (scholars).
Generally there are two types of narrations found in books of Ahādīth:
·        Narrations that explain Islāmic Laws (Jurisprudence)
 
·        Narrations that explain the virtues and warnings of actions.
It is necessary for a non-Alim (layman) to learn Islāmic Laws from the Ulamā (scholars). The Ulamā are those who have spent a portion of their lives understanding the exact meanings of the texts in Qurān and Hadīth. They are those who have attained mastery in understanding the laws extracted by the Fuqahā (Jurists).
One should not try to understand Islāmic laws by merely reading English translations of Hadīth books such as Sahīh al-Bukhārī without the supervision of a trained scholar. If one who does not have proficiency in the field tries to extract laws from the translations of Ahādīth, it may result in following Islām incorrectly. This is the case in every field. One who is not a trained doctor is unable to understand technical books of Medicine. Only the one who is well trained in the field is able to understand the texts.
Ahādīth in which the virtues and warnings of actions are stated may be read by everyone. Such narrations encourage one to practice Dīn such as performance of Salāh, recitation of Qurān, and giving Zakāh. It is highly encouraged that such Ahādīth be recited on a daily basis individually and collectively in one’s home with the family. This will further enhance the eagerness to carry out virtues and refrain from sins.
Our advice to you is that you learn the Laws of Jurisprudence by asking Ulamā and sitting in their company. Books such as Sahīh al-Bukhārī and Sahīh Muslim are inclusive of narrations that pertain to Islāmic Law. Hence, a layman should only recite such compilations under the supervision of a competent Alim. We recommend you to purchase compilations that are inclusive of narrations pertaining to virtues and warnings of actions such as Riyādh al-Sālihīn by Imām Nawawī Rahimahullāh and Fadhāil al-A’māl by Hadhrat Sheikh Zakariyya Rahimahullāh, an authority on Ahādīth.   These may be purchased from the following link:
http://www.islamicbookcenter.org/index.php?dispatch=pages.view&page_id=8
And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best
Abdul Azīm bin Abdur Rahman,
Student Darul Iftaa
U.S.A.
Checked and Approved by,
Mufti Ebrahim Desai.