IMAM IBN AL ATHIR’S RESEARCH METHODOLOGY IN QUOTING HADITH-TRADITIONS: A STUDY OF USD AL-GHABAH FI MARIFAT AL-SAHABAH.

Abstract

This brief research paper covers Izzad-Din Abu al-Hassan Ibn al- Athir al-Jazari’s research methodology in hadith traditions in his work entitled ‘Usd al-ghabah fi marifat al-sahabah’. Some of these types of traditions mentioned by Ibn al- Athir have been covered in this paper like the Shadhdh (anomalous) traditions of the Prophet’s ﷺ letters to various Kings and rulers, the traditions narrating the historical proofs for the prophethood of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and the traditions about the delegations that came to the Holy Prophet for the acceptance of Islam etc. Ibn al- Athir’s research methodology while noting these traditions can be summarized in the following points: He explains the time and place where and when the Quranic verses were revealed. Total number of the traditions narrated by a companion has also been mentioned. He explains the genre of Gharīb al-Ḥadīth. The writer notes the chains of the narrators of a hadith and then points out the weakness or trustworthiness of the reporters. This paper is expected to provide a concise perception of Ibn al- Athir’s methodology and his way of research in examining and quoting the hadith traditions in his work ‘Usd al-ghabah fi marifat al-sahabah’.