Usool Al-Hadeeth The Science of Hadith

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1 COURSE GUIDEBOOK Course: Usool Al-Hadeeth Faculty: Faculty of Fiqh Studies Islamic Jurisprudence (0) PO BOX 57328, London, E1 2WL, United Kingdom

2 2. Background Information ABOUT THIS COURSE The Muslims are agreed that the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) is the second of the two revealed fundamental sources of Islam, after the Glorious Qur an. The authentic Sunnah is contained within the vast body of Hadith literature. A hadith (pl. ahadith) is composed of two parts: the matn (text) and the isnad (chain of reporters). A text may seem to be logical and reasonable but it needs an authentic isnad with reliable reporters to be acceptable; `Abdullah b. al-mubarak (d. 181 AH), one of the illustrious teachers of Imam al-bukhari, said, The isnad is part of the religion: had it not been for the isnad, whoever wished to would have said whatever he liked. There were deliberate fabrication of ahadith by various sects which appeared amongst the Muslims, in order to support their views (see later, under discussion of Maudu` ahadith). Ibn Sirin (d. 110), a Successor, said, They would not ask about the isnad. But when the fitnah (trouble, turmoil, esp. civil war) happened, they said: Name to us your men. So the narrations of the Ahl al-sunnah (Adherents to the Sunnah) would be accepted, while those of the Ahl al- Bid`ah (Adherents to Innovation) would not be accepted. As time passed, more reporters were involved in each isnad, and so the situation demanded strict discipline in the acceptance of ahadith; the rules regulating this discipline are known as Mustalah al-hadith (the Classification of Hadith). AUTHOR S BIOGRAPHY Dr Abu Ameenah Bilal Philips is a Jamaican Canadian Islamic Scholar who converted to Islam in the early seventies after journeying politically and intellectually from Christianity to Communism. Shortly after his reversion to Islam, he embarked on a spiritual academic journey to the other side of the world seeking Islamic knowledge. This journey took him to Saudi Arabia where he completed a BA in Islamic studies in Madeenah, and an MA in Islamic Theology in Riyadh, then to the University of Wales, UK, where he completed a PhD in Islamic Theology in the early nineties. After graduation from Madeenah, Dr Bilal became a teacher of Islamic studies for 10 years in an Islamic High School, Manaret Riyadh, and a lecturer of Arabic and Islamic studies in the American University in Dubai, UAE, for another 10 years. During his 10 years in the UAE, he founded and taught at the Islamic Information Center in Dubai, and during his subsequent 7 years in Qatar he has been an Islamic consultant and lecturer for the Islamic Information wing of Sh. Eed Charity. 02

3 3. Course Details SUMMARY OF THE COURSE: This course is a survey of the principles upon which the study of hadeeth rests. The historical milieu that surrounded the developments of this science are taken into account and the methodology of this science that gradually appeared is rendered against its historical environment along with an analysis of its content. The various classification schemes are discussed and how the many developments of the science, although possibly seen independent of each other, are interconnected accumulating finally into a comprehensive critical appreciation of Islamic sources. AIMS OF THE COURSE: To enable students to increase their worship of Allah Almighty by understanding hadeeth To enable the student to understand the origins of the Science of Usool al-hadeeth To familiarize the student with the proofs for the authority Hadeeth and its relationship to Quran To acquaint the student with the historical influences in the development of Hadeeth criticism To give the student a clear framework for understanding the nature of the methods and the processes of the Muhadithun To familiarize students with the methodology for dealing with apparently contradictory evidence To acquaint the student with the present culmination of earlier initiatives through textual readings of the books of Hadeeth MAIN CONTENT TO BE COVERED Introduction: The Status of the Sunnah in Islamic Law Hadeeth Science and its terminologies Division of Narrations: Mutawaatir and Ghayr Mutawaatir Division of Narrations: Maqbool and Mardood Hadeeth Mawdoo Division of Narrations: Marfoo,Mawqoof and Maqtoo Hadeeth Qudsee Sahaabah: Definition and their characteristics. Mardood due to faults in the narrators: Either due to lack of Integrity ( Adaalah) or lack of Accuracy ( Dabt) Methods of Hadeeth Narration Conditions for Hadeeth Narration Textual Harmonization Hadeeth Books Women Scholars of Hadeeth 03

4 4. Assessment The final examination for what you will have learnt throughout the course takes place on week 11, this consists of a 90 Minute written paper. The pass mark for this course is 50%. 5. Course Duration This course is taught over a 3 month period, each week s lesson consists of 2 hours class time. 6. Course Materials A course pack containing the text of the book will be provided. You should also bring a notepad and pen to take notes. 7. Homework For 2 hours of class work you will need to do at least 1 hour of homework, rewriting notes and revision each week. 8. Certificates You will receive an in-house certificate recognizing your achievement in this course. 9. Course Fees Students/Unemployed: 70 Employed: 80 That s only 3.18/ 3.63 per hour! 10. Progression After studying this course you should consider studying the following subjects: Ulum Al-Quran Usool at-tafsir Usool al-fiqh 40 Hadith of An-Nawawi 11. Additional Reading Suhaib Hasan, An Introduction to the Science of Hadith Muhammad Siddique, Hadith Literature Mustapha Azami, Early Studies in Hadeeth Literature 12. Course Pre-requisites There are no pre-requisites for studying this course. 04

5 13. Registration You can register online now securely via PayPal or if you prefer you may visit us at our office during our registration dates (see registration timetable) where registration staff will be awaiting to welcome, assess, advise and help you register. 05

6 +44 (0) PO BOX 57328, London, E1 2WL, United Kingdom