Hadith Methodoloy: Authenticity, Compilation, Classification and Criticism of Hadith

by Mohammad Hashim Kamali

Written as a university textbook, the present volume provides a wide-ranging coverage of hadith methodology and literature for intermediate to advanced readers of the discipline. It is concerned with the methods the ulama and scholars of hadith have developed and utilised in order to ascertain the authenticity of hadith and the accuracy of its text. The book offers a certain insight into the history of hadith, its compilation and documentation as well as methods that seek to identify obvious and subtle defects in hadith. Attention is drawn to the criteria of hadith criticism (al-jarh wa'l-ta'dil), and the various classifications of hadith that help to identify the strengths and weaknesses of its subject matter. The book also provides a critical review of the discipline and advances reform proposals that seek to enhance reliability of the existing hadith collections.

Dr. Mohammad Hashim Kamali is Professor of Law at the International Islamic University Malaysia where he has been teaching Islamic Law and Jurisprudence since 1985. He is internationally well-known for his longstanding contribution to the discipline and has taught the subject in various institutions of higher learning in Britain, United States and Canada.

332 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2002

About the author

Mohammad Hashim Kamali, B. A., Law & Political Science, Kabul University, 1965

LLM., Comparative Law, University of London, 1972, Ph.D., University of London. 1976

Current Position: Founding Chairman & Cheif Excecutive Officer, International Institute of Advanced Islamic Studies (IAIS) Malaysia.

Date and Place of Birth: 7 February 1944, Lalpur, Nangarhar, Afghanistan.

Nationality: Afghan and Canadian, Permanent Resident of Malaysia as of 3 April 2003

Marital Status: Married - have two children born in 1976 and 1979 respectively