The Ministry of Culture concluded the fifth season of its seminar series at Lusail University on Sunday, featuring a session focused on the critical study of prophetic Hadiths. The event was attended by Minister of Culture HE Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Hamad bin Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani, Lusail University Board of Trustees Chairman HE Dr. Ali bin Fetais Al Marri, and Ministry Undersecretary HE Dr. Ghanem bin Mubarak Al Ali.
The seminar addressed the historical recording, verification, and classification of the Prophet Muhammad’s sayings, known as Hadiths. It featured Prof. Bashar Awad Marouf, a noted thinker, historian, and author from the Arab world, who examined centuries of scholarship devoted to authenticating and interpreting these religious texts. Prof. Marouf highlighted that recording of Hadiths began early, with some sayings documented during the Prophet’s lifetime, and expanded significantly during the first century after Hijra. He explained that the processes of compilation and thematic classification matured in the second century AH.
Prof. Marouf contested claims that the documentation of Hadiths started exclusively during the reign of Umar ibn Abd Al-Aziz or with Imam Al-Zuhri, emphasizing that written records predated these figures. He stressed the importance of critically evaluating sources, chains of transmission, and documentary evidence in tracing the history and veracity of Hadiths. According to him, preserving Arab and Islamic historical heritage is essential for maintaining the identity and collective memory of Muslim communities.
The seminar also focused on the methodology of Hadith criticism. Prof. Marouf discussed the criteria for authentic transmissions, which include continuous chains of reliable narrators and the absence of irregularities. He noted that the absence of a Hadith from prominent collections like Sahih Al-Bukhari or Sahih Muslim does not inherently indicate weakness, as authenticity must be appraised through comprehensive scholarly methods. These involve analyzing the reliability of transmitters, cross-examining different narration chains and texts, and comparing multiple transmission routes to detect discrepancies or reinforce authenticity.
Prof. Marouf further underscored the role of digitization and emerging technologies in expanding access to Hadith manuscripts and facilitating scholarly research. As part of these advancements, he is preparing a 45-volume Hadith encyclopedia and launching a platform called “Tahqiq,” which integrates theoretical and practical scholarship on the subject.
The seminar was part of a broader cultural program conducted by the Ministry of Culture from October 1 to 11, aimed at promoting dialogue and research collaboration among academic institutions and intellectuals. Dr. Hassan Al Naama, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Sheikh Hamad Award for Translation and International Understanding, participated in the discussions, emphasizing the significance of ongoing study and dissemination of Islamic heritage. He highlighted the diversity of Islamic thought and the need for innovative approaches to educate new generations on foundational beliefs while maintaining rigorous standards of authenticity.