Can We Trust Hadith? A Critical Inquiry into the Foundations of Islamic Tradition"
In this compelling lecture series, Sh Ruzwan takes a critical and principled approach into the complex question of whether we can trust the hadith tradition.
Drawing on a wide set of sources, we will explore the meta-theory of history, examining how the competing approaches analyse the veracity of transmitted reports. We will tackle the enduring ‘Problem of Criteria'—the philosophical challenge of establishing reliable standards for authenticity—and critically assess the contributions of both Orientalist and classical Muslim scholarship to the field.
How does the classical tradition of the Hadith Scholars stands up to the challenges of current postmodernist readings of religion and its sources?
The series culminates in a set of illuminating case studies, highlighting the methodological divergences within Islamic scholarship. From the specific method of Hanbali and Shafi'i approaches of assimilating divergent reports, to the more critical and universalist stances of Abu Hanifah and Malik, these examples reveal the dynamic interplay of reason, faith, and tradition in the evaluation of hadith. This journey is essential for anyone seeking a nuanced understanding of one of Islam's most foundational sources.
Can we trust Hadith?
Watch the course trailer.
Teacher
Shaykh Ruzwan Mohammed is a Sunni theologian and scholar. A graduate in Geopolitics and Arabic from the University of Glasgow, he has studied with a wide array of leading scholars in the Muslim world. As part of his formal Islamic training, he graduated from the Fat’h Islamic Law College in Damascus, graduating from the prestigious 6-year program with a distinction of merit, achieving overall 1st position in his year of graduation.
Curriculum
- 1. Conceptualisation & Metatheories (7:35)
- 2. Ibn Khaldun & The ‘Cyclic’ waves of rise and fall (3:53)
- 3. Auguste compte and social evolutionism (4:47)
- 4. Modernism, postmodernism and literary theory of truth (4:03)
- 5. Critical historical method (shared or western) (6:06)
- 6. Western approaches to hadith studies 1 (6:22)
- 7. Western approaches to hadith studies 2 (3:41)
- 8. Muslim theories of hadith (8:42)
- 9. Traditionalist (Muhadithun) & Particularism (4:54)
- 10. Legal scholars & Methodism’ (8:46)
- 11. Contemporary Matn critique (6:30)
- Session 1 Slides
- 1. Previous Summary (8:21)
- 2. Aim of Session 2 (1:31)
- 3. Al-dihlawi and the place of the muwatta (10:44)
- 4. Al-bukhari’s sahih and his methodology (8:52)
- 5. Recensions of sahih al-bukhari (6:27)
- 6. Imam Muslim’s Sahih and his methodology (5:47)
- 7. Sunan and Mussanaf collections (10:22)
- 8. Musnad collections (3:13)
- 9. Al-Dihlawi’s later categories (4:40)
- 10. So can we trust al-Bukhari anymore? (8:14)
- Session 2 Slides
- 1. Introduction to case studies (7:27)
- 2. Bukhari's context for female leadership hadith (7:03)
- 3. Narrations concerning female leadership (3:40)
- 4. Usuli analysis of female leadership hadith (8:37)
- 5. Modern deconstruction of the hadith (9:24)
- 6. Syncretism on Aqiqah (6:52)
- 7. Selectivism on Aqiqah (5:51)
- 8. Impasse of the satanic verses (10:25)
- 9. Theology of Ibn Taymiyyah on the satanic verses (6:52)
- 10. Conclusions (3:19)
- Session 3 Slides
Testimonials
- Just to say these classes were what just we expected, well thought out and engaging. There is so much on this question just now, and so I have watched lots of clips and read some articles. This presented the question holistically, but also I think made me more aware that I need to be selective of who I listen to in future . Thanks
- I’ve attended some of Sh Ruzwan’s classes on hadith before, so I thought that he would cover similar ground, but this wasn’t what I expected. I think it would be easier to just say that hadith scholars did a good job in checking info, peoples character etc…and that’s it. So this critical approach caught me off guard a bit I guess. Sort of makes sense now to show that what you think History is, and how that affects if you accept hadith at all. Also I wasn’t aware of the serious split classically between the Maliki/Hanafi methodology, and the other scholars!
- Thank you GUMSA for organising this. Wouldn’t have happened anywhere else LOL. This was high end stuff! I personally don’t think scholars give enough thought to how lots of hadith that they quote in Youtube talks make you really confused, so Sh Ruzwan laying it out cleared it up for me. I know people say give respect to classical scholars, but you can’t just have random stuff like Satanic verses. Sheikh’s study on this in the final lecture was on point!
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is this course for?
This course is especially advised for those who want to understand the problems raised against hadith collection and what this means for the preservation of Islam. In particular, the course provides the requisite framework to allow for critical analysis of reports, while also retaining the centrality of the sunnah to the Islamic faith.
Are there any prerequisites to enrolment?
There are no prerequisites Islamic studies required for this course,
Is there an age limit?
Aged 15+
Are there any course notes available?
Course slides will be available to download
How long do I have access to the lessons?
From the date of registration you will have 12 months access to the course.