A Study of Contemporary Orientalists' Trends in Hadith Studies in the Balance of Criticism

Document Type : Original Article

Author

PhD in Quran and Orientalists, Al-Mustafa International University, Qom, Iran

10.22034/pht.2025.19130.1526

Abstract

The first rigorous academic studies in the West on Prophetic Hadith began in the mid-19th century, within the context of historical studies on the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his progeny). Among the most prominent topics raised in this field were Sunnah and Hadith in Islam, which faced intense attacks from Orientalists who cast doubt on their authenticity. Therefore, critiquing and analyzing the works of Orientalists should be a foremost priority for research centers in the Islamic world. Although efforts exist in the Islamic world to respond to these doubts, they remain insufficient. In truth, Shi’i Islam bears a greater responsibility in providing scholarly and valuable responses to these challenges. On the other hand, Muslim critical efforts must be contemporary and renewed, aligning with the evolving methodologies and approaches of Orientalists. This research adopts a descriptive-analytical methodology, coupled with a critical approach, wherein information is meticulously gathered and analyzed to highlight and critique the various trends in contemporary Orientalist Hadith studies. The findings reveal that Orientalist Hadith studies are associated with a trend characterized by a skeptical tendency, historical approach, and narrative perspective, which rejects the current defending the authenticity and history of Islamic Hadith. This new trend has reanalyzed previous Orientalist directions in the field of Hadith and has largely invalidated many of the hypotheses, methodologies, and results they reached. Despite historical evidence, many Orientalists argue that the Sunnah of the Prophet (peace be upon him and his progeny) was not a practical or legal model emulated by early Muslims, although they acknowledge that many Companions followed him during his lifetime. 

Keywords

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11- Pajooheshname Hadith Tatbighee
Volume 12, Issue 22 - Serial Number 22
September 2025
Pages 201-226

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History

  • Receive Date: 10 March 2025
  • Revise Date: 07 April 2025
  • Accept Date: 30 April 2025

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