Referential value of hadith transmitter criticism in the 2nd/8th century: The case of Shu'bah Ibn al-'Hajjaj

Abstract

Criticism of hadith transmitters is established as a scientific field for.adiths in the second quarter of the 8th century (2nd century AH). Research is required to determine how acquisitions of discrediting and commendation (al-jarb wa-l-ta'dil) were evaluated within the scope of transmitter criticism in the wake of the 2nd/8th century. It is important to identify how the principles and assessments of transmitter criticism, as determined during the establishment period, were perceived in the following era to monitor the progress of discipline of transmitter criticism over time. This paper examines the study of transmitter criticism based on Shu'bah ibn al-Hajjaj, the founder of the discipline, and presents certain findings through a comparison between transmitter assessments by Shu. bah with conclusions on discrediting and commendation and twelve critics who lived in the 3rd/9th century. Consequently, assessments on transmitters during and after the 3rd/9th century appear to be substantially coherent with those by Shu'bah.