ANSWERED: Muhaditheen

[ilm_seeker]

As sallamu alaikum

If all of that Ahadith have been put in to their respective classifications (Sahih, Hassan, Da'eef etc) then do we stil require Muhaditheen in our times?

Wa alaikum as sallam

[Sadiq]

Interesting Question.

Waiting to see what others say.

But i think, Muhaditheen's are required, so they may pass on that knowledge or that specific science. We should not fall for that trap of 'we got that on book' or we have all the collections on alim cd, why do i need to attend talks and so on.

Not saying you are like that or anyone here is like that.

Interesting question...

[ridhwan]

:salam:

Imo .. it's a science and experts will always be needed

More to it than simply knowing ilm-ul-rijaal and knowning what is Sahih etc

The Muhaditheen are there to explain and also to reconcile the differences in the hadith

Furthermore the kitaabs of Hadith are studied under their guidance so that the correct interpretation is passed on

Allahu Aalim

[Aqdas]

Assalamu 'Alaikum!

Shurooh (commentaries) are to this day being written of the classical books of Hadith by the Muhadditheen of today, such as Sharh Sahih Muslim by Allama Ghulam Rasool Sa'eedi in 7 volumes which is excellent and Nuzhatul Qari Sharh Sahih Bukhari by the late Allama Shariful Haq of India.

Perennial issues are one reason for this. Another reason may be that today's Muhadditheen have the benefit of books which have been written in the last 1400 years whereas Muhadditheen like ibn Hajar Asqalani, for example, had only half this time to benefit from previous books which is comparitively less.

For example, Imam Qastallani could benefit from al-Kawakib al-Darari, Fathul Baari and Umdatul Qaari to write his Irshadus Saari whereas Allama Sa'eedi could benefit from all 4 of these.

Wassalam

[Shaykhs-Pir Sahib]

as salamu alaykum

some scholars have ijaza in the sahih collections, and have memorised others from teachers not books - that makes them muhaddith. in addition, whats important is the interpretation of these hadith, especially in light of other hadith which are often contradicting one another.

[salman]

Salamu Alaikum

My Shaikhs teacher (great Shaikh ? ) is a shaikhul Hadith and a Muhaddith. The question is actually not that complicated. The fact of the matter remains a Muhaddith is not merely someone who authenticates Hadith into Shaih, Hasan and Dhaeef. A Muhaddith is also someone who writes detailed commentaries on Hadith, reconciles between the different Hadith, explains the Matn of the Hadith, clarifies seemingly contradictory gradings of hadith and narrators and so forth.

A perfect example of the use of a moder day Muhaddith would be reconciliation of two different opinions regarding a narrator. Imam Ahmad may state that so and so was Thiqah whereas Imam Al Bukhari may say he is Dhaeef. This is not something that is far fetched, but rather is something that occurs. Anyone who has gone through the books of Rijal will know this.

Similarly, the contemporary Hadith master, Shaikh al Arnaut in his revised edition of the Taqreeb of Imam Ibn Hajar (called Tahrir) has pointed out new opinions regarding narrators. For example Baqiyya ibn al-Walid who was considered Truthful in Taqrib is considered Weak according to Shaikh Arnaut.

Another reason why having the Muhaditheen present is because the student - teacher chain continues to be sustainable. Just like the Sufi chains going all the way back to the Prophet, the Muhaditheen also have such chains of knowledge.

Thirdly, regarding the various commentaries of hadith, the Muhaditheen have the advantage of a large number of books at their disposal from which they can judge from and reconcile opinions. The Ulema of the past were of High merit, but certainly not infallible. The opinion of Ibn Hajar in his Fath Al Bari may contradict the opinion of Ibn Rajab is his own Fath Al Bari!!! Which one is correct?

There are many other reasons that can be brought forth, but Insha'allah the above shall suffice.

Wallahu A'lam