METHODOLOGY OF IM?M IBN AB? SHAIBAH REGARDING CRITICISM ON THE TRANSMITTERS OF HAD?TH (NAQD-E-RIJ?L)
Abstract
Im?m Ibn Ab? Shaibah belongs to the 2nd/3rd century AH. He attained a high position in the science of ?ad?th. In his books of ?ad?th, he has adopted a special style of Jar? wa-l-ta?d?l and has formulated specific terms for this art. Some of his characteristics are such that it has a unique place in the books of ?ad?th Al-Mu?annaf.In addition, there are many other differences which are very important in the art of ?ad?th and which are a mirror of the valuable services of Im?m Ibn Ab? Shaibah in the art of ?ad?th. The knowledge of criticism has a great importance in the field of Ul?m al-Had?th. It shows the validity, reliability and authenticity of the Had?th. In this knowledge, Transmitters or Narrators of Had?th are scanned in respect of renowned human qualities and decisions are made about their wisdom, piousness, honesty and retention. In a chain of experts of this field, Im?m Ibn Ab? Shaibah was a well reputed personality who established his unique approach to criticize the transmitters of Had?th of the Holy Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him). In this research paper, efforts are made to highlight the distinguish features of Im?m Ibn Ab? Shaibah s methodology regarding criticism of Narrators of Had?th. He used different terms to elaborate the status and level of Narrators. After a critical review of relevant material, it was found that Im?m Ibn Ab? Shaibah adopted a moderate approach for characters surgery. He also allocated different meanings to different Terms which were used in different sense by the other experts of Naqd-e-Rij?l. This article illustrates a pen picture of Im?m Ibn Ab? Shaibah s contribution towards the knowledge of Naqd-e-Rij?l.
