اصول نقد حدیث کے سندی معیارات کا اطلاق: ائمہ اربعہ کی حدیثی تالیفات کا تجزیاتی مطالعہ

Application of Isnād-Based Criteria in Hadith Criticism: An Analytical Study of the Hadith Works of the Four Imams

Abstract

 This research article presents a comprehensive comparative analysis of the sanad (chain of narration) criteria employed in Hadith criticism by the four great Imams: Abu Hanifa, Malik ibn Anas, Muhammad ibn Idris al-Shafi'i, and Ahmad ibn Hanbal. The sanad serves as the foundational pillar for authenticating Hadith, ensuring the reliability of transmission from the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) to subsequent generations. Drawing on classical Islamic texts, historical contexts, and modern scholarly interpretations, the study examines each Imam's unique approach: Abu Hanifa's emphasis on the narrator's integrity and jurisprudential acumen, Malik's integration of Medinan practice as a quasi-sanad criterion, Shafi'i's stringent requirements for continuity and rejection of mursal narrations, and Ahmad's balanced view allowing for multiplicity of chains to strengthen weaker narrations. The analysis highlights shared principles, such as the necessity of connectivity (ittisal) and narrator reliability (adalah and dhabt), while delineating key differences rooted in geographical, temporal, and intellectual milieus. Through critical evaluation, the article underscores how these criteria contributed to the diversity of Islamic jurisprudence (fiqh) and remain relevant for contemporary Hadith studies. Insights from web-based scholarly resources further enrich the discussion, revealing ongoing debates on authenticity and adaptation.