Doha, October 11 (QNA) – The Ministry of Culture on Sunday wrapped up the fifth season of seminars at Lusail University and held a seminar to mark its conclusion, attended by HE Minister of Culture Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Hamad bin Jassim bin Hamad Al-Thani; HE Chairman of Board of Trustees of Lusail University Dr. Ali bin Fetais Al Marri; and HE Undersecretary of the Ministry of Culture Dr. Ghanem bin Mubarak Al Ali.

Tackling the esoterica of the Prophet’s Hadiths, spanning centuries of recording and critical examination, the gathering featured Arab renowned thinker, historian, and author Prof. Dr. Bashar Awad Marouf.

It examined the history of recording and critically editing the Noble Prophetic Hadith; the methods scholars have developed to scrupulously verify narrations and distinguish authentic reports from weak ones; the evolution of methodologies for critically examining chains of transmission and Hadith texts; and the future of critical manuscript editing in the age of digitization and artificial intelligence.

Recording began early, and some Prophetic sayings had been written down during the lifetime of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him), Prof. Marouf said, highlighting that the first century AH witnessed extensive recording of the Prophet’s sayings, while the processes of compilation, indexing, and classification evolved during the second century AH.

Prof. Marouf stressed the importance of distinguishing between the existence of written narrations and the completion of their classification into independent works.

He explained that the chains of transmission that survived into later centuries were associated with compilations, written records, and other written materials circulated among scholars and students of Islamic knowledge.

Prof. Marouf pushed back on the claim that the recording of Hadith began during the reign of Umar ibn Abd Al-Aziz or through the efforts of Imam Al-Zuhri, if that claim is taken to foreclose the possibility that written Hadith records existed before then.

Marouf further stressed the need to scrupulously examine the sources, chains of transmission, and documentary evidence to arrive at an accurate understanding of Hadith history, underscoring the importance of preserving Arab and Islamic history as a repository of the Muslim community’s heritage and collective memory.

He eloquently emphasized that engaging with this history helps safeguard Arab and Islamic identity and deepen awareness of the civilization’s roots, noting that nations that become disconnected from their history lose one of the most important foundations for understanding themselves and determining their future course.

Prof. Marouf delved into the standing of Sahih Al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim, explaining that the absence of a Hadith from either collection does not, in itself, suffice to establish that it is weak. Rather, its authenticity must be assessed in accordance with the principles of Hadith criticism and the various sources available for its evaluation.

He called for a thorough study of the methodologies employed by early Hadith scholars and their practical applications, cautioning against relying solely on the theoretical classifications set out in works on Hadith terminology.

Evaluating narrations requires scrutinizing the reliability of transmitters, comparing chains of transmission and Hadith texts, and examining the various transmission routes to uncover hidden defects, Prof. Marouf noted.

He remarked that, subject to established scholarly criteria, multiple transmission routes may strengthen certain narrations, while comparing different versions may reveal discrepancies that warrant further critical examination.

  Prof. Marouf outlined the key criteria for authentic Hadith, including unbroken chains of transmission, reliable narrators, and the absence of irregularities or defects, stressing the need to scrupulously examine narrations rather than take them at face value.

He noted that digitization has significantly broadened access to Hadith heritage and that cutting-edge technologies can serve as a main adjunct to scholarly research. He also said he was preparing a 45-volume Hadith encyclopedia and launching “Tahqiq”, a platform combining theoretical and practical scholarship.

Many attendees weighed in during the seminar, foremost among them Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Sheikh Hamad Award for Translation and International Understanding, Dr. Hassan Al Naama, who emphasized the importance of constantly studying the Islamic heritage and devising approaches that keep up with intellectual and scientific developments, with particular emphasis on preserving the foundations of Islamic belief and firmly instilling them in generations to come.

Dr. Al Naama highlighted the multiplicity of schools and approaches in Islamic thought, including transmission and critical analysis, alongside the efforts scholars have made across the ages to advance human knowledge.

What matters more is presenting the heritage to emerging generations through methods that help them understand it and benefit from it, he suggested, noting that people should not be oblivious to its authenticity.

The season was organized by the Ministry of Culture from Oct. 1-11 as part of an informative cultural program intended to enrich dialogue and facilitate the exchange of perspectives among academics, intellectuals, and researchers, in addition to delving into issues related to heritage and knowledge.

The season brought together numerous academic institutions as part of efforts to foster academic partnerships and broaden prospects for dialogue among institutions working in research, knowledge, and culture. (QNA)