Course breakdown

12 Weekly Topics

• 1 Introduction to Hadith & Bayqūniyyah

  Overview of Hadith sciences, the importance of Muṣṭalaḥ al-Ḥadīth, and the context of al-Bayqūnī’s poem. Key terms: muṣṭalaḥ, ḥadīth, isnād, and the poem’s structure.

• 1 Categories by Transmission – Mutawātir & Āḥād

  Study of the division of Hadith based on transmission quantity: mutawātir and āḥād. Clarification of their conditions and implications in ʿaqīdah and fiqh.

• 1 Marfūʿ, Mawqūf & Maqṭūʿ

  Classification of reports by attribution:

  • Marfūʿ (to the Prophet ﷺ)

  • Mawqūf (to a Companion)

  • Maqṭūʿ (to a Tabiʿī)
    Includes examples and distinguishing factors.

• 1 Connected Chains – Musnad & Muttasil

  Explores Hadith with connected chains:

  • Musnad (attributed to the Prophet with a connected chain)

  • Muttasil (continuous chain without interruption)
    Discussion on conditions and scholarly usage.

• 1 Disconnected Chains – Mursal, Munqaṭiʿ, Muʿḍal, Muʿallaq

  Breakdown of incomplete chains:

  • Mursal (missing Companion)

  • Munqaṭiʿ (any missing narrator)

  • Muʿḍal (two or more missing narrators consecutively)

  • Muʿallaq (beginning of isnād is omitted)

• 1 The Authentic Hadith – Ṣaḥīḥ

  Conditions for a Hadith to be considered Ṣaḥīḥ, according to the majority of scholars. Discussion of the five conditions and examples from Ṣaḥīḥ collections.

• 1 The Good Hadith – Ḥasan

  Definition and criteria of Ḥasan Hadith. Difference from Ṣaḥīḥ and debate among scholars on its independent status.

• 1 The Weak Hadith – Ḍaʿīf

  Explores types of weakness in Hadith due to chain issues, narrator flaws, or textual problems. Clarifies common misconceptions about ḍaʿīf Hadith usage.

• 1 Rejected Reports – Munkar, Shādh, and Others

  Study of rejected Hadith:

  • Munkar (opposes stronger narration)

  • Shādh (rare/opposed by reliable narration)
    Introduction to minor terms like muʿallal and mudraj.

• 1 Fabricated Hadith – Mawḍūʿ

  Definition and signs of fabricated Hadith. How scholars identified and rejected forgeries. Role of Jarḥ wa Taʿdīl in identifying fabricators.

• 1 Additional Types – Maqlūb, Muḍṭarib, Musalsal

  Covers lesser-known classifications:

  • Maqlūb (reversed chain or text)

  • Muḍṭarib (contradictory narrations)

  • Musalsal (sequential style in isnād)

• 1 Review & Application

  A comprehensive review of the entire poem and key Hadith classifications. This module reinforces understanding through summaries, examples, and application exercises, helping students solidify their grasp of the terminology and prepare for further studies.