Collection and Compilation of Hadith: An Analytical Study of Internal and Mutual Contradictions in Orientalist Research

جمع و تدوینِ حدیث : مستشرقین کی تحقیقات میں باہمی و داخلی تضادات کا تجزیاتی مطالعہ

Abstract

The collection and compilation of Hadith, a fundamental source of Islamic law and theology, has been a subject of extensive research by both Muslim scholars and Orientalists. While Muslim scholars generally maintain a unified perspective on the authenticity and significance of Hadith, Orientalist researchers have often presented varying and, at times, contradictory views. This study aims to analyze the internal and mutual contradictions found within Orientalist investigations of Hadith compilation. The research examines the methods employed by Orientalists, highlighting the inconsistencies in their understanding of the historical processes and reliability of Hadith literature. The study identifies key areas where these contradictions emerge, such as the authenticity of narrations, the role of early Islamic authorities, and the transmission processes. By providing a critical analysis of these contradictions, the paper seeks to shed light on the methodological flaws and biases that often underpin Orientalist critiques of Islamic traditions. This research contributes to the ongoing discourse on the integrity of Hadith studies and encourages a more nuanced understanding of the Orientalist approach to Islamic historical sources.