al-Hadith fi Ulum al-Quran wa al-Hadith
- Author died
- 1429 AH
- Editions
- Dār al-Salām
al-Hadith fi Ulum al-Quran wa al-Hadith (The Modern Compendium on the Sciences of the Quran and Hadith) is a contemporary handbook by Egyptian scholar Hasan Ayyub (d. 1429 AH / 2008 CE) surveying the core disciplines of Quranic and Hadith scholarship .
Purpose and Scope
In his introduction, Ayyub stated that he authored the book to provide contemporary readers and students of Islamic law with a simplified, accessible reference consolidating the key subjects of Quranic studies and Prophetic tradition (al-Sunnah), noting that these foundational fields were often neglected by learners . The book functions as a dual-subject textbook structured into two primary divisions: Quranic sciences (ulum al-Quran) and Hadith terminology and sciences (ulum al-hadith) .
Structure and Contents
Sciences of the Quran
The first part begins with definitions of the Quran and the scope of Quranic sciences, followed by historical stages in their development . It highlights early milestones, such as the compilation and standardized script (rasm) under Caliph Uthman ibn Affan and the foundations of Arabic grammar directed by Ali ibn Abi Talib .
A central portion of this section is dedicated to Quranic exegesis (tafsir), categorized into three main branches:
- Tafsir bi-l-Ma'thur (Traditional Exegesis): Explaining the Quran through the Quran itself, the Sunnah, and statements transmitted from the Companions and Successors . It details the prominent exegetes among the Companions—principally Abdullah ibn Abbas—and categorizes the Successors into regional schools (Mecca, Medina, and Iraq) .
- Tafsir bi-l-Ra'y (Reason-Based Exegesis): Analyzing praiseworthy versus blameworthy forms of analytical interpretation and the essential linguistic and religious sciences required of an exegete .
- Tafsir Ishari (Allusive/Sufi Exegesis): Examining esoteric interpretations and key reference works in that genre .
The section also profiles prominent classic exegeses across various schools and orientations, including Sunnite, Mutazilite, Batini, and Shia commentaries .
Sciences of Hadith
The second part addresses the nomenclature, principles, and classifications of Hadith methodology (mustalah al-hadith) :
- Scholarly Titles and Compilations: Defines titles assigned to traditionists, including Amir al-Mu'minin fi al-Hadith and al-Hafiz, and surveys major compilations such as the Sahihayn, the Sunan collections, and Musnad works .
- Classifications of Narrations: Explains criteria for authentic (sahih), fair (hasan), and weak (da'if) reports, alongside specific technical categories including anomalous (shadhdh), defective (mu'allal), inverted or interpolated (mudraj), confounded (mudtarib), and fabricated (mawdu') narrations .
- Transmission and Criticism: Details the mechanisms of narrating and receiving Hadith (turuq al-tahammul wa-l-ada'), the principles of narrator impugnment and validation (al-jarh wa-l-ta'dil), and the definitions and virtues of the Companions and Successors .
Answer updated