tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2304369412849298861.post2889306721297069624..comments2024-03-02T10:48:48.293+08:00Comments on Commentary On Seerah And History: Imam Mahdi: Do We Know What We Are Waiting For?SM Derishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13968496258475420465noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2304369412849298861.post-28056364964755907422019-06-12T18:53:22.399+08:002019-06-12T18:53:22.399+08:00To my understanding, hadith is evaluated on the st...To my understanding, hadith is evaluated on the strength of its chain of narration and its narrators. The text (matn) is secondary in nature. Even the one we find a little odd on the text is accepted as authentic when the chain of narration is solid and status of the narrators are trustworthy. For instance, the hadith on prescribing camel's urine to cure certain sickness is considered sound because its chain is good and the narrators are trustworthy although we may find the prescription somewhat odd. The hadith narrating the Prophet used to answer the call of nature on the roof is also considered sound. Both of these are two commonly cited hadith by the anti-hadith group in their specious argument to throw all hadith literatures out of the window.<br /><br />Hence, no matter how good the matn is, if the chain of narration is not solid (for various reasons) or the narrators are found to be weak (for various reasons), the hadith is not considered authentic. It may be a good saying, or even excellent saying, but if it cannot be established that it comes directly from the Prophet, then it is not considered a sound hadith, even if it is a famous one. For instance, we have a famous saying, considered to be a hadith for a long time, such as "Seek knowledge even in China." There is nothing wrong with this saying. The meaning is good and proper but it is not a hadith since it does not come directly from the Prophet.<br /><br />Since it is not the veracity of the text per se, but rather the chain of narration and the quality of the narrators that largely determine whether a certain hadith is sound or otherwise, effort to reevaluate or regrade (or upgrade) hadith based on subsequent events would unlikely to be fruitful. If by any stroke of luck or chance, a famous saying attributable to the Prophet, which upon analysis found to be wanting in terms of the chain of narrations and the quality of the narrators, and therefore graded as weak or worse fabricated, happens to come true at some point in time, we cannot simply regrade or upgrade that saying on that basis. Nostradamus is famous for making a prophetic prediction, but his prophetic prediction is not a hadith. It is simply his prediction, which may or may not come true. More so since this kind of prediction is vague in nature. <br /><br />That said, the hadith scholars often disagree among themselves as to the status of any particular hadith, with one considers it authentic/sound (sahih), while others may just consider them good (hasan) or even weak (dhaif). In our times, we have scholars who spent their lifetime in this hadith regrading activity, such as the famous Nasir al-Albani, although some others question his scholarship.<br /><br />In any case, we have plenty of sound hadith to go with as far as eschatological matter is concerned. The problem is not the status of the hadith. The problem generally lies with interpretation. SM Derishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13968496258475420465noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2304369412849298861.post-18488688002812408462019-06-08T10:28:02.297+08:002019-06-08T10:28:02.297+08:00Hadith is a priceless treasure that even Dhaif Aha...Hadith is a priceless treasure that even Dhaif Ahadith should be perceived as KIV collections worth to revisit by later scholars and scientists for potential classification upgrading. After all, over time, 'treasure hunt" supposed to enrich net collections (after eliminations).<br /><br />Sir,<br />Has there been any effort/convention to upgrade Weak Hadith (e.g. on hidden uncovered, future foretold & prophesies) as subsequent events unfold confirming the Hadith?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2304369412849298861.post-61830804826910499912012-02-23T01:36:13.892+08:002012-02-23T01:36:13.892+08:00And I hope it is informative enough for us to unde...And I hope it is informative enough for us to understand the issue.SM Derishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13968496258475420465noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2304369412849298861.post-40089173628139597972012-02-22T14:15:43.108+08:002012-02-22T14:15:43.108+08:00Nice conclusion and agreed to the point.Nice conclusion and agreed to the point.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com