`Ulum al-Hadith Boston Islamic Seminary Continuing Education Program Weekend Session I: April 8-9, 2017 Weekend Session II: April 22-23, 2017 Instructor: Dr. Suheil Laher Email: [email protected] Academic Dean, Fawakih Institute Course Description: Narrations of the words and actions of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), better known as Hadith, are only second to the Qur’an with respect to serving as a source of inspiration and guidance for Muslims throughout the centuries. Unlike the Qur’an, however, they are not to be found in a single book nor are they all of equal weight and reliability. This course will cover the history of Hadith, their transmission and interpretation, and approaches to authentication. We will examine these topics in light of traditional Muslim scholarship as well as Western academia. Important questions to be covered include: ‘Are the hadith synonymous with the Sunnah, the Prophetic example?’, ‘Is it mandatory for a believing Muslim to accept all Hadith?’, and ‘Is a reliable hadith considered to be just as authoritative as the Qur’an?’ Textbooks (tentative): Required: 1. Studies in Hadith Methodology and Literature, M. M. Azami 2. ANY ONE of the following: • Authority of Sunnah, M. Taqi Usmani • The Hadith is Proof Itself in Belief and Laws, M. N. al-Albani 3. Additional articles (provided on course website) Recommended: • Hadith Literature, Its Origin, Development and Special Features, M. Zubayr Siddiqui • Hadith: Muhammad's Legacy in the Medieval and Modern World, Jonathan Brown • Misquoting Muhammad, Jonathan Brown • Influences of Hadith Upon Differences of Opinion Amongst the Jurist Imams, M. `Awwamah • Sirat al-Nabi and the Orientalists, M. M. Ali السنة ومكانتها في التشريع السلمي , د. مصطفى السباعي • أثر الحديث الشريف في اختلف الئمة الفقهاء, الشيخ محمد عوامة • Evaluation (tentative) Attendance and Participation: 25% Reflections posted to online forum: 15% Final exam: 60% Weekend Session I: April 8-9, 2017 Saturday, April 8 10:00-12:30 Introduction : Sunnah Meanings of Sunnah, Hadith Status and Authority of Sunnah, in relation to Qur'an 12:40-1:40 LUNCH AND ZUHR PRAYER 1:30-4:00 Early History of Sunnah Sunnah in the Prophet's Lifetime Sunnah in the Era of the Companions 4:00-5:30 Compilation and Authentication Oral and Written Hadith in the First Two Centuries Hadith, Sirah and Qussas Sunday, April 9 10:00-12:30 Hadith Authentication and Terminologies Muslim scholars' criteria for authentication, Sanad and Matn `Ilm al-Rijal and its major Biographical Works Categories of hadith in the classical terminology 12:40-1:40 LUNCH AND ZUHR PRAYER 1:30-4:00 The Central Books and their Authors (1) Types of Hadith Compilations The Six Sunni Compilations 4:00-5:30 The Central Books and their Authors (2) Shi`i (Imami and Zaydi) and Ibadi Compilations Differences between Sunni and Shi`i Approaches to Hadith Weekend Session II: April 22-23, 2017 Saturday, April 22 10:00-12:30 Forgeries *Motives for Forging Hadiths Hadith-Scholars' Responses Common traits of forged hadiths 12:40-1:40 LUNCH AND ZUHR PRAYER 1:30-4:00 Orientalist Views Skeptical Western Views: Goldziher, Schacht, etc. Optimistic Western Views: Motzki, etc. 4:00-5:30 Modernist Views Quran-only movements Hadith and Science Sunday, April 23 10:00-12:30 Theological Use of Hadiths Hanbali-Ash`ari-Mu`tazili Disputes Sunni-Shi`i and Sufi Disputes 12:40-1:40 LUNCH AND ZUHR PRAYER 1:30-4:00 Legal Use of Hadiths Hadith-based sources of disagreement among scholars of sacred law (fiqh): Principles and Examples 4:00-5:30 Hadith and Ethics Role of the Conscience Use of Weak Hadiths Study of Selected Ethical Hadiths.