Allah Ta‘ala had blessed Imaam Maalik (rahimahullah) to compile a kitaab of Hadith known as the Muwatta. This kitaab gained great acceptance and has been held in high esteem by the ‘Ulamaa throughout the centuries. In fact, the greatness of this kitaab can be gauged by the statement of Imaam Shaafi‘ee (rahimahullah) who said, “After the Qur’aan Majeed, there is no kitaab on the surface of the earth that is more saheeh than the kitaab of Imaam Maalik (rahimahullah).” (Tazyeen-ul-Mamaalik pg. 90)

Imaam Shaafi‘ee (rahimahullah) had mentioned this before the compilation of Saheeh Bukhaari and Saheeh Muslim. However, after the compilation of these two kitaabs, the ‘Ulamaa are unanimous that these two kitaabs are the most saheeh after the Qur’aan Majeed.