احناف اور جمہور محدثین کے نزدیک راوی کی عدالت کا تقابلی جائزہ

A Comparative Study of the Principles of the Hanafis and the Majority of Hadith Scholars Regarding the Integrity of the Narrator

Abstract

This study presents a comparative analysis of the principles employed by the Hanafi school and the majority of Hadith scholars (jumhūr al-muhaddithin) concerning the concept of 'adālah (integrity) of a narrator. The integrity of narrators is a fundamental criterion in the science of Hadith, directly influencing the authenticity of transmitted reports. The research examines how each school defines, evaluates, and applies 'adālah, highlighting similarities and divergences in their methodologies. It further explores the underlying reasoning, evidences, and legal implications attributed to these principles, emphasizing their impact on Hadith criticism and jurisprudential applications. The emphasizing their impact on Hadith criticism and jurisprudential applications. The comparative study reveals that while both the Hanafi school and the majority of Hadith scholars uphold the essentiality of 'adalah, their approaches differ in terms of the weight assigned to various moral and practical aspects of a narrator's life, including religious observance, social conduct, and the avoidance of major and minor sins. This research contributes to a deeper understanding of classical Hadith evaluation criteria and provides insights for contemporary scholars engaged in Hadith authentication and jurisprudential derivation.