Recep SENTÜRK / Critical Methods on Hadith: Self Reflexivity in Hadith Scholarship

Abstract: This article argues that hadith narration is characterized by self-reflexivity which is clearly reflected in the metanarrative genres which evolved around hadith narrative. Among these metanarratives are the Methodology of hadith (Usul al-Hadith), Methodology of Islamic Law (Usul al-Fiqh), commentaries on hadith compilations, and the biographical dictionary literature (rijal, tabaqat and tarikh). Each one of these metanarrative genres is distinguished by a distinct critical focus on a particular aspect of hadith. Methodology of hadith is reflexive on chains and types of narration, Methodology of Law is reflexive on the legal interpretation of hadith while the biographical dictionary literature is reflexive on the narrators and their networks. The article comparatively analyzes the most nascent aspects of these metanarrative genres.

Citation: Recep SENTÜRK, “Critical Methods on Hadith: Self Reflexivity in Hadith Scholarship”, Hadis Tetkikleri Dergisi (HTD), III/2, 2005, pp. 37-56.

Key words: Narrative, metanarrative, reflexivity, criticism of hadith, isnad, hadith, sunnah, Islamic law, critical methods, methodology of hadith, biographical dictionary.

  

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