A STUDY OF HADITH By Dr. Khalid Mahmood sheikh – CRITICISM OF THE AHADITH
Chapter: 5. CRITICISM OF THE AHADITH.
(The book is actually written for the beginners of learners of Hadith Methodology):
The Sahabah r.a., their successors (at-Tabi'un) and later scholars took extreme care to memorize the Traditions of Rasulullah pbuh, write them down and teach them. No other people were known to have been so careful in preserving the teachings of their prophets and teachers. In fact, in most cases, later generations added many untrue beliefs into their Prophet's lives and teachings.
The Muslims were warned by Rasulullah pbuh who said, "Anyone who tells a lie about me, will find his place in the Hell-Fire". He also ordered Muslims to truthfully tell others about his sayings and actions. The Qur'an itself has spoken in detail about him, describing his personality, his message and his teachings very clearly. Thus, every truth spoken in his name must be judged against the teachings of the Qur'an.
Early Muslim scholars were quite aware of these problems and they developed a through system of examination and criticism to test the authenticity of each Hadith. These principles for examining the authenticity of the Ahadith were quite unique to ancient world and have no parallel in present scholarship. These rules cover both parts of the Hadith: 'Isnad (chain of transmission) and Matn (the text)
In their attempt to set up tests of authenticity which would exclude false material, the Muhaddithun established a method in which the 'Isnad, the chain of narrators, and the Matn, the basic text, were carefully examined. An elaborate system was created to verify the personality and trustworthiness of each narrator in the chain. The Muhaddithun developed a system of historical biographies of narrators of the Ahadith; to check their backgrounds and characters. On the basis of the authenticity of 'Isnad, 'Ahadith were established as excellent, good, fair, weak, etc.
To a Muslim, the 'Isnad is just as important an element in a Hadith as is the Matn (content). Since the Hadith consists of two parts, principles of Hadith criticism are based upon both: the 'Isnad and the Matn.
The following is a summery of the rules and principles of 'Isnad criticism:
1. All the 'Ahadith must be traceable to the original reporter through a chain of narrators.
2. In addition to having a good memory, these narrators must be truthful, of excellent characters and high qualities of mind and heart.
3. Every Hadith which reported an event or a happening that occurred frequently in presence of a large number of people must have been originally reported by several narrators.
As far as the Matn is concerned, some of the following rules were laid down:
1. The Hadith should not contradict the text of the Qur'an, the teachings of the Qur'an and accepted basic principles of Islam.
2. The Hadith should not contradict the Traditions already deemed reliable and authentic by the authorities under these rules.
3. The Hadith which sings the praises and excellence of any tribe, place or persons should be closely examined.
4. The Hadith that contains some remarks of Rasulullah pbuh, which are not in keeping with the Islamic belief and the position of Rasulullah pbuh, or such expressions as may not be befitting his honor.
Early Muslims understood that the importance of the Hadith is second to that of the Qur'an. Knowing this, they developed many rules for checking the 'Ahadith. Thanks to this effort, thousands of the sayings of Rasulullah pbuh have been preserved for us today.
This chapter ENDS here.
(For the student of advanced study of Hadith; there are many other rules but within the above defined criteria. For example; The duration of nabvi 23 years are divided into several short durations. The first three years of nabvi period; then four years, then four or five years then one or two years, then Hijrat: first two years then four years then last four years. The hadith of early years was "Do not visit graves" in later years it was recommended to visit graves to remember Death. In the early years it was forbidden to write Ahadith but in the later years it was recommended to memorize, write and propagate Ahadith.
The offering of prayers in the early years was not defined as in the later years.
Also, The main source of Ahadith are As'hab-e-Suffa r.a. ajmaeen, who were always sitting on the Pluto or platform, watching and listening most of the time to Rasulullah pbuh. But there were also delegations visiting Rasulullah pbuh and seek guidance/advise/teachings and go back.
In such matters we find difference of versions of Ahadith or difference in the judgment by the respected scholars of Ahadith; but main points; those are the basis of Authenticity of any hadith are given by Dr. Khalid Mahmood Shaikh in above chapter.)
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