Historiographical research on hadith studies and hadith scholars: on the discrepancies between ‘local’ values and empirical research（18th September 2023）

Historiographical research on hadith studies and hadith scholars: on the discrepancies between ‘local’ values and empirical research

Abstract: This lecture examines the historical process of the formation and development of hadith scholarship and the use and penetration of hadith authority through socio-historical studies on the hadith scholars who called themselves ‘hadith scholars’ between the 10th and 13th centuries and who contributed significantly to the establishment of Sunni hadith scholarship. Such studies, which seek to elucidate the historicity of hadith, are important in revealing the history of Muslim society and culture. At the same time, however, they are sometimes seen as going against the values of ‘local’ Muslims, who attach great importance to the universal/immutable authority of hadiths. In this lecture, some of the discrepancies between such empirical research and ‘local’ values will be clarified.

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