EPISTEMOLOGICAL FOUNDATIONS OF HADITH: QURANIC INJUNCTIONS, PROPHETIC AUTHORITY, AND THE SCIENCE OF VALIDATION

Abstract

The science of Hadith is of fundamental importance in Islam, as it is a means of interpreting the Holy Quran and preserving the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). In the Quran, Allah Almighty has linked obedience to the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) with obedience to Himself, which makes the Shariah status of Hadith clear. Similarly, several Quranic verses have commanded following the commands and actions of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) To verify the authenticity of Hadith, the science of Hadith has developed principles such as jarh and tadil, the study of isnads, and the analysis of the text of narrations, which made it possible to distinguish between authentic and unauthentic narrations of Hadith. Thus, the science of Hadith not only protects the religion but also ensures the correct understanding of Sharia