Takhreej e Hadith through Different Computer Software
Maryam Hamid, Department of Islamiyat, Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Women University, Peshawar, Pakistan.
Adeeba Siddiqui, Department of Islamiyat, National University of Modern Languages, Peshawar Pakistan.
Hafsa Bibi, Department of Islamiyat, Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Women University, Peshawar, Pakistan.
Corresponding Author:
Maryam Hamid (maryamhamid21@gmail.com)
Abstract:
In Surah Al-Hujurat, Allah has warned the believers against spreading false news and cautioned them against accepting news without verification. Allah says, يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِنْ جَاءَكُمْ فَاسِقٌ بِنَبَإٍ فَتَبَيَّنُوا أَنْ تُصِيبُوا قَوْمًا بِجَهَالَةٍ فَتُصْبِحُوا عَلَى مَا فَعَلْتُمْ نَادِمِين[1] "O you who have believed, if there comes to you a disobedient one with information, investigate, lest you harm a people out of ignorance and become, over what you have done, regretful." [Quran 49:6]. Unauthentic news/statements are appalling, and mainly when it is attributed to the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), it is imperative that it be thoroughly investigated. Hadith is the primary source of Islamic Shariah law after the Quran; hence, it is important to validate any hadith before accepting it. To make this possible and benefit the Hadith students, scholars have developed a methodology known as Hadith Sciences, which provides clear rules and guidelines to investigate the authenticity of Hadith. By following these principles, Hadith students can verify the accuracy of Hadith and trace them back to their original sources. In the early days of Islam, scholars and researchers required less effort to cite any hadith because they were familiar with the compilation and arrangement of hadith books. This familiarity and broader knowledge base made their lives easy during their scholastic discussions and research. However, with time, due to the lesser attention of scholars and researchers, the lack of interest in the sources of authentication increased. Consequently, referring to hadith and accessing the original sources became difficult for them. Therefore, the scholars outlined five ways for verifying the hadiths included in the books of hadith. Before the invention of computers, this process was carried out manually by searching through the stacks of books in libraries and bookstores, which was difficult and time-consuming. Computers and various software have helped digitize almost all books, making the takhreej and research extremely easy and time-saving. However, the problem is that scholars and students at our universities and madrassas, as well as the public, are not familiar with these modern facilities because of their non-inclusion in the curriculum, which makes them unable to conduct quality research. Except for the International Islamic University Islamabad, Pakistan, principles of takhreej e hadith are not included in the curriculum of any other university or madrassa. This article aims to highlight key technological tools available for teachers, students, and the public to assist them efficiently in Takhreej E Hadith and authenticate any Hadith before referring them. This is also required to conduct quality and efficient research using these latest technological tools.
Keywords:
Takhreej; Hadith Sciences; Islamic Shariah Law; Authenticity of Hadith