Quran and Hadith Studies‎

Evaluating Rijali's Opinions about Muhammad Ibn Senan through the Analysis of the Text of her Single Narrations in Al-Kafi Book

Document Type : Research Article

Authors

1 PhD student in the field of Quranic and Hadith Sciences, Faculty of Law, Theology and Political Sciences, Science and Research Unit, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.

2 Assistant Professor, Department of Quranic and Hadith Sciences, School of Law, Theology and Political Sciences, Science and Research Unit, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran

3 Associate Professor, Department of Quranic and Hadith Sciences, School of Law, Theology and Political Sciences, Science and Research Unit, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.

10.30497/qhs.2024.246228.3952

Abstract

Muhammad ibn Sinan Zahiri (Moḥammad ibn Sanān Zāhari) (d. 220 AH) is one of the prominent narrators in the fields of jurisprudence and hadith within the Imamiyyah (Emāmiyyah) tradition. Numerous hadiths have been attributed to him in the Shia's Four Books, yet notable authorities on the science of hadith authentication and criticism hold diverse opinions regarding his reliability. Some allege him of extremism and weakness in hadith, while others endeavor to exonerate him. Scholars who criticize him, particularly discredit his singular hadiths due to issues related to credibility. This study aims to evaluate the scholarly opinions about him by examining 10 singular hadith of Muhammad ibn Sinan in Al Kafi (Al Kāfi), substantiating with evidence and real proofs to gain a more precise understanding of his status. The texts of these hadith have been scrutinized by comparing them with Quranic principles, contrasting with other similar or conflicting authentic hadiths, and assessing their alignment with reason and other criteria. The main finding of this research reveals that, based on the scrutiny and analysis of the texts of Ibn Sinan's hadith - although only a limited number have been discussed in this article - these hadiths are weakened due to various reasons. Consequently, the opinions of Rijali scholars such as Ibn Najashi (Ibn Najāši) and Ibn Ghada'iri (Ibn Qaḍayeri) regarding the weakness of Ibn Sinan's character and the infirmity of his singular hadith appear closer to the truth.

Keywords

Main Subjects

The Holy Qur'an.
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Quran and Hadith Studies‎
Volume 17, Issue 2 - Serial Number 34
March 2023
Pages 409-432