METHODOLOGY OF IMĀM IBN ABĪ SHAIBAH REGARDING CRITICISM ON THE TRANSMITTERS OF HADĪTH (NAQD-E-RIJĀL)
Abstract
Imām Ibn Abī Shaibah belongs to the 2nd/3rd century AH. He attained a high position in the science of ḥadīth. In his books of ḥadīth, he has adopted a special style of Jarḥ wa-l-taʿdīl and has formulated specific terms for this art. Some of his characteristics are such that it has a unique place in the books of ḥadīth “Al-Muṣannaf.In addition, there are many other differences which are very important in the art of ḥadīth and which are a mirror of the valuable services of Imām Ibn Abī Shaibah in the art of ḥadīth. The knowledge of criticism has a great importance in the field of Ulūm al-Hadīth. It shows the validity, reliability and authenticity of the Hadīth. In this knowledge, Transmitters or Narrators of Hadīth are scanned in respect of renowned human qualities and decisions are made about their wisdom, piousness, honesty and retention. In a chain of experts of this field, Imām Ibn Abī Shaibah was a well reputed personality who established his unique approach to criticize the transmitters of Hadīth of the Holy Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him). In this research paper, efforts are made to highlight the distinguish features of Imām Ibn Abī Shaibah ’s methodology regarding criticism of Narrators of Hadīth. He used different terms to elaborate the status and level of Narrators. After a critical review of relevant material, it was found that Imām Ibn Abī Shaibah adopted a moderate approach for character’s surgery. He also allocated different meanings to different Terms which were used in different sense by the other experts of Naqd-e-Rijāl. This article illustrates a pen picture of Imām Ibn Abī Shaibah ’s contribution towards the knowledge of Naqd-e-Rijāl.
