A Textbook of 2 a Seva Studies Authenticity, Compilation, Classification and Criticism of Hadith AV Cettete settee seer THE 1SLAMIC FOUNDATIONTransliteration Table Consonants, Arabic initial: unexpressed medial and final: s? ad eb 3 dh ar at & th Se ei urs ch sh t kh Us 5 Vowels, diphthongs, ete, Short: a long: laa diphthongs: ue d br Lb; e: & eh uF c & bow Wo mfor] Introduction HADITH studies in the title of this book refer mainly to hadith methodology and criteria that seek to verify accuracy of the text and authenticity of hadith. My treatment of the hadith and its methodology is somewhat selective and does not propose to cover all of the numerous areas of this discipline; it does, nevertheless, attempt to cover most of the important headings of hadith studies, commonly known as ‘ulitm al-hadith. A great deal of what is presented in this book is concerned with the methods of enquiry and principles which the hadith scholars have formulated for verifying the authenticity of hadith and accuracy of its message. “Jurisprudence of hadith” might be said to be an equally acceptable equivalent in English of ‘alam al-hadith, which is, however, not usually employed in the relevant literature. One of the main objectives of methodology, whether in the sphere of hadith or other disciplines of learning, is to develop objective and scientific standards of enquiry and research. The purpose is to ensure adequate safeguards against subjectivity and error that might compromise reliability of the results of that enquiry. Methodological guidelines are particularly important to areas of research that involve yalue judgement and personal preference of the researcher, and also commitment to certain hypotheses in research. Religion is one such area where development of objectivity and impartial methods are at once difficult and most valuable. Muslim jurists and ‘wlama' have developed elaborate methodologies for the authentification of hadith with the purpose precisely to enhance the scope of scientific objectivity in their conclusions, This they have done in full awareness that in no