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 forhadiths in the second quarter of the 8th century (2nd century AH).Research is required to determine how acquisitions of discreditingand commendation (al-jarh wa-l-ta?dil) were evaluated within thescope of transmitter criticism in the wake of the 2nd/8th century. It isimportant to identify how the principles and assessments oftransmitter criticism, as determined during the establishment period,were perceived in the following era to monitor the progress ofdiscipline of transmitter criticism over time. This paper examines thestudy of transmitter criticism based on Shu?bah ibn al-Hajjaj, thefounder of the discipline, and presents certain findings through acomparison between transmitter assessments by Shu?bah withconclusions on discrediting and commendation and twelve criticswho lived in the 3rd/9th century. Consequently, assessments ontransmitters during and after the 3rd/9th century appear to besubstantially coherent with those by Shu?bah.