Ḥadīth Nomenclature Primers [eBook]

This volume presents two primers on the discipline of ḥadīth nomenclature () and the authentication of transmitted reports. They are Nukhbat al-fikar (“Chosen Thoughts on the Nomenclature of Ḥadīth Experts”) by Ibn Ḥajar al-ʿAsqalānī (773–852AH); and (“The Memorandum”) by ʿIbn al-Mulaqqin (723–804AH).

These primers were written to facilitate speedy mastery of the discipline’s core material. Although the primers focus on definitions, they also include methods for addressing problems specific to the topic. Students would often commit a primer to memory while studying it with a living master who would explain its content in detail and demonstrate its application. It is through this interaction between students and instructors that Islamic education transmits both knowledge and skills across generations.

In translation, these primers are ideal for English-speaking instructors looking for a primary text covering the subject’s core concepts. The translations will also benefit students looking to review their lessons or to prepare themselves for more advanced studies.

You will need an EPUB reader to view the file. Users of OS X or iOS can read it in iBooks. Android users can use UB Reader, and Freda is said to be good for some versions of Windows. There are also in-browser readers, like Readium.

Length: 5,250 words.