Recovering Ḥadīths from Early Sources through the Method of “Recurrent Chains of Transmission”: A Case Study of the Works of ʿAlī b. al-Ḥasan al-Ṭāṭarī

Document Type : Research Article

Authors
Seyed Ali Delbari 1
Seyed Ali Sajjadi Zadeh 2
Reza Khoshhal 3
1 Professor, Department of Quranic and Hadith Sciences, Razavi University of Islamic Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
2 Assistant Professor, Department of Quranic and Hadith Sciences, Razavi University of Islamic Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
3 Graduate of the fourth level of Mashhad Seminary and PhD student in Quran and Hadith Sciences, Razavi University of Islamic Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
10.30497/qhs.2026.248697.4193
Abstract
The presence of weaknesses in the chains of transmission (isnāds) of many ḥadīths has significantly undermined their authenticity and reliability, leading to the marginalization of a substantial body of transmitted reports. In response, various methods have been developed to recover the contents of early ḥadīth sources and reassess the evidentiary value of such traditions. Among these, the method of “recurrent chains of transmission” has demonstrated considerable potential for restoring the credibility of reports preserved in early sources. Using a descriptive-analytical approach, this study provides a precise definition of this method, explains its application in reconstructing early ḥadīth sources, and implements it through a case study of the traditions attributed to the works of ʿAlī b. al-Ḥasan al-Ṭāṭarī. One of the principal contributions of this study is the identification of recurrent transmission patterns within otherwise non-prominent isnāds, thereby enhancing their evidentiary value. More specifically, by applying the method of recurrent chains of transmission to an isnād transmitted through Ibn Samāʿah to al-Ṭāṭarī, the study demonstrates that seven independent ḥadīth traditions can be traced back to al-Ṭāṭarī's works. Moreover, the analysis shows that the documentary weaknesses affecting two of these reports can, to a considerable extent, be mitigated through corroborative transmission evidence.
Keywords
ḥadīth reconstruction
early ḥadīth sources
recurrent chains of transmission
ʿAlī b. al-Ḥasan al-Ṭāṭarī
ḥadīth studies.
Subjects
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