Shi`i Narrator Criticism – A Critical Study of Ibn al Mutahhar al-Hilli and Abu l-Qasim al-Khu’i – COMPLETE (06-04-2022)

The study of hadith narrator criticism (al jarh wa al ta’dil) according to the Shia has, for the most part, remained unexplored. And unlike their Sunni counterparts, the Shia only began developing this science in the 5th century. Of the few that have contributed to this field, there are arguably no greater authorities than Ibn al-Mutahhar al-Hilli (d. 726 AH) and Abu al Qasim al Khu’i (d. 1992 CE). In fact, the vast majority of issues related to the science of al jarh wa al ta’dil are to be found in their works Khulasat al Aqwal fi Ma’rifat al Rijal and Mu’jam Rijal al Hadith. 

The present work is a translation of Dr. Sa’d al Shanfa’s al-Jarh wa al-Ta’dil ‘Inda al Shia. In an unprecedented fashion, Dr. al Shanfa attempts to disprove al-Hilli and al Khu’i in his critical appraisal of their respective works. As a result, his work turned out to be a tactical masterstroke and an invaluable contribution in the field of al jarh wa al ta’dil. May Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala reward the author for his efforts and may He allow others to continue benefitting from his works.

 

Shi`i Narrator Criticism – A Critical Study of Ibn al Mutahhar al-Hilli and Abu l-Qasim al-Khu’i

by: Sa’d Rashid ‘Awad al Shanfa

 

download pdf here

 

Click one of the sections below:

 

Preface

 

Introductory Chapter

– Historical Development of Literature on the Sciences of Narrator Evaluation According to the Imami Shia

1.0 Reviewing the claim that attributes the science of hadith narrator criticism to the Ahlul Bayt

2.0 A historical overview and appraisal of the biographical works authored by the Shia

3.0 The lack of sciences by the Shia Imamiyyah in the field of ‘ilm al rijal

4.0 The Imami Shia’s lacking in the sciences of tashih, tad’if, and ta’lil

5.0 The absence of writing in the sciences of Mustalah al Hadith except in later times

6.0 A biography of al Hilli and al Khu’i and an exposition of their creed and respective methodologies in their works

 

Chapter One – Mujmal (general) Tawthiq between al Hilli and al Khu’i

1.1 Tawthiq of a narrator on account of him being one of the teachers of al Najjashi in his work Rijal al Najjashi

1.2 Tawthiq of a narrator on account of him being a part of the asanid of ‘Ali ibn Ibrahim al Qummi’s Tafsir

1.3 Tawthiq of a narrator on account of him being a part of the asanid of the book Kamil al Ziyarat

1.4 Tawthiq of a narrator on account of Ibn al Walid not excluding him from the book Nawadir al Hikmah

 

Chapter Two – Between al Hilli and al Khu’i: The Critics Whose Statements in al Jarh wa al Ta’dil Are Relied Upon

2.1 The critics of the Shia Imamiyyah whose statements are relied upon in al jarh wa al ta’dil

2.2 The non-Imami critics whose statements are relied upon in al jarh wa al ta’dil according to the Shia Imamiyyah

2.3 The methodology of al Hilli and al Khu’i in dealing with contradictory statements of al jarh wa al ta’dil

2.4 Al Khu’i’s position on the statements of tawthiq of his scholarly predecessors

 

Chapter Three -The position of al Hilli and al Khu’i regarding the narrations of their adversaries in creed (the people of heresy—in their view) and those who are wanting in integrity (‘adalah)

3.0 The position of al Hilli and al Khu’i regarding the narrations of their adversaries in creed (the people of heresy, in their view), and those who are wanting in ‘adalah

3.1 The position of al Hilli and al Khu’i regarding their intra-creedal adversaries from the Imamiyyah Shia

3.2 The position of al Hilli and al Khu’i regarding their intra-creedal adversaries from the non-Imami Shia

3.3 The position of al Hilli and al Khu’i regarding non-Shia narrators

3.4 The position of al Hilli and al Khu’i regarding non-Muslim narrators

3.5 The position of al Hilli and al Khu’i regarding narrators wanting in ‘adalah

 

Chapter Four – The position of al Hilli and al Khu’i and the scholars of the Imamiyyah on the Sahabah

4.1 Statements of the Ahlus Sunnah scholars regarding the Sahabah

4.2 The position of the Imamiyyah regarding the Sahabah

4.3 The position of the Imamiyyah regarding the virtues of the Sahabah and its impact on their narrations

4.4 A comparative analysis between the position of the Imamiyyah on the Sahabah and their own reliable narrators from the Imamiyyah

 

Chapter Five – The Principles of al Jarh wa al Ta’dil Between al Hilli and al Khu’i

5.1 The principles of al jarh wa al ta’dil according to al Khu’i and al Hilli related to the tenants of Shia faith

5.2 The positions of al Hilli and al Khu’i concerning the statements of al jarh wa al ta’dil that come from the infallible Imams—according to the Imami Shia

5.3 The relationship that connects the Imam with the narrator

5.4 The positions of al Hilli and al Khu’i concerning riwayah and its sciences

5.5 Miscellaneous principles in al jarh wa al ta’dil

5.6 Principles of al jarh wa al ta’dil established by al Khu’i

5.7 Beneficial points in al jarh wa al ta’dil touched upon by al Khu’i

 

The translation of the book is complete, by the grace of Allah, the pdf. file too has been updated.