Scriptural Integrity in the Sunni Hadīth Tradition – NEW UPLOAD!!!

The earliest Muslims recognized the importance of a rigorous methodology to evaluate anything attributed to the Prophet salla Llahu `alayhi wa sallam, as these were part of their religion. In response to actual occurrences of misattribution, as well as the continued tradition of transmitting reports from the Prophet salla Llahu `alayhi wa sallam, the early Muslims implemented a system of critical assessment which was grounded in objective rational principles, to safeguard the authenticity of the Prophet’s salla Llahu `alayhi wa sallam teachings from distortion.

Scholars across the ages have adeptly addressed the challenges and criticisms directed to the traditional narrative of how Hadith transmission occurred; however, the emergence of Orientalist-thought has reignited scrutiny into the historical processes of Hadith transmission and evaluation. Additionally, groups outside of Ahl al-Sunnah have amplified this scrutiny, casting further aspersions on the integrity of the Hadith tradition.

The following is an adaptation of a contemporary work that examines this very issue. Dr Aḥmad Ṣnobar, in his work Min al-Nabi ila al-Bukhari, meticulously dissects the intellectual and historical pathways that have shaped Hadith, offering a compelling narrative that reaffirms the integrity of the Hadith tradition against contemporary skepticism. He provides a detailed history of Hadith from the Prophetic era until Imam al-Bukhari, who symbolizes the maturity of the Hadith tradition, both in its narration as well well as its critical assessment.

 

A study of Ḥadīth transmission and criticism in the first three centuries

Adapted from Min al-Nabī ilā al-Bukhārī by Dr. Ahmad Ṣnubar

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Foreword