The Methodical Development of the Controls for Critiquing Hadith Texts in Imami Thought from the Era of the Text's Emergence to Sheikh al-Tusi (460 AH)

Abstract

This study aims to examine the systematic development of hadith text criticism (Matn) in the Imami thought from the time of the Imams’ texts until Sheikh al-Tusi (460 AH). It highlights the role of the infallible Imams in correcting hadiths and clarifying their meanings, followed by the methodological efforts of their companions in evaluating narrations. The research also explores the Qummi school, which established systematic rules for assessing the content of hadiths, as well as the textualist approach of the 3rd-century AH narrators, showing the limitations of their critique. Finally, the study examines Sheikh al-Mufid’s contributions, who formulated clear principles for hadith criticism based on compliance with the Qur’an and reason. This research underscores the importance of these developments in preserving the Sunnah, ensuring the authenticity of narrations, and highlights the scientific role of the Imams, their companions, and the Qummi school in this domain.