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The Methodology of Hadith Evaluation – Book Sample

THE METHODOLOGY OF HADITH EVALUATION

1. Era of The Prophet – Compilation

During the life of the Prophet (r) there was no pressing need to write down all of his various statements or record his actions because he was present and could be consulted at any time.

 As a matter of fact, the Prophet (r) himself made a general prohibition against writing down his statements which were other than the Qur’aan itself.

 This was to prevent the possibility of mixing up the Qur’aan with his own words during the era of revelation. Consequently, the greatest stress regarding writing was placed on recording the Qur’aanic verses.

However, there are many authentic narrations collected by the Scholars of Hadeeth that prove that Hadeeth were recorded in writing even during the lifetime of the Prophet (r). For example, ‘Abdullaah ibn ‘Amr said: “I used to write everything which I heard from the Messenger of Allaah (r) with the intention of memorizing it.

However, some Qurayshites forbade me from doing so saying, ‘Do you write everything that you hear from him, while the Messenger of Allaah is a human being who speaks in anger and pleasure?’ So I stopped writing, and mentioned it to the Messenger of Allah (r). He pointed with his finger to his mouth and said: ‘Write! By Him in whose hand is my soul, only truth comes out from it.’2

Aboo Hurayrah said: When Makkah was conquered, the Prophet (r) stood up and gave a sermon [Aboo Hurayrah then mentioned the sermon]. A man from Yemen, called Aboo Shaah got up and said, “O Messenger of Allaah!

Write it down for me.” The Messenger of Allaah (r) replied, “Write it for Aboo Shaah.”3 Al-Waleed asked Aboo ‘Amr, “What are they writing?” He replied, “The sermon which he heard that day.”4