Hadith Criticism
Hadith Criticism is the scholarly practice of evaluating the authenticity and reliability of Hadith, which are the recorded sayings and actions of the Prophet Muhammad. This process involves examining the chain of narrators, known as the Isnad, and the content, or Matn, to determine whether a Hadith can be considered credible and trustworthy.
Scholars categorize Hadith into various classifications, such as Sahih (authentic), Da'if (weak), and Hasan (good). This classification helps Muslims understand which teachings can be reliably followed in their faith and practice. The goal of Hadith Criticism is to preserve the integrity of Islamic teachings by ensuring that only authentic narrations are accepted.