The muntaha of the sanad, namely the reference to which the hadith is attributed, can be different. Depending on this fact, different names are used for hadiths. If it is attributed to Allah, it is called qudsi. If it is attributed to the Prophet, it is called marfu'. If it is attributed to a companion, it is called mauquf. If it is attributed to a successor or someone after this generation, it is called maqtu'.

Provided that it is not an ayah, the hadith that is attributed and related to Allah by the Prophet, in which he says, "Allah says so and so", is called a qudsi hadith or divine hadith. The subject of these hadiths is usually concerned with the characteristics of Allah.

A marfu' hadith is one that is directly or indirectly attributed to the Prophet as a word, deed, explanation or ethical characteristic, whether it is sanad-i muttasil (continuous) or munqati'(broken). If the hadith is attributed explicitly to the Prophet, it is called sarahatan marfu'. It is called hukman marfu' if it gives information about such themes that cannot be based on personal views or believes of a Companion about previous prophets or events that will happen in the future or subjects that may bring thwaab (reward) or azaab (punishment) if committed.

A mauquf hadith is one about - muttasil (continuous) or munqati' (broken) - words, deeds and explanations of Companions. Its sanad cannot be traced to the Prophet, but to a Companion. Words, deeds and explanations attributed to the following generation are called maqtu hadith. The Atba' al-Tabi'in are also accepted as the following generation.