MATA KULIAH - STUDI HADITS (Materi Jarh wa Ta’dil)

Summary

This lecture delves into the science of *jarh wa ta'dil*, which is the process of evaluating the reliability of narrators in hadith. The script explains how scholars classify narrators using six levels of praise (*ta'dil*) and criticism (*jarh*), ranging from highly reliable to severely unreliable. Narrations from narrators deemed reliable can be used as evidence, while those from lower-ranked narrators are either rejected or only considered for study. This structured approach ensures the authenticity of hadiths and their correct application in Islamic teachings.

Takeaways

• 😀 Al Jar refers to the act of criticizing a narrator's reliability in hadith transmission, often due to loss of justice or trustworthiness.
• 😀 Tarjih is the process of evaluating a narrator's reliability, which involves assigning qualities that may affect their credibility in hadith transmission.
• 😀 Adel refers to the quality of a narrator being upright in their religion and can be seen as a praise of their trustworthiness.
• 😀 The study of Al Jar in hadith science focuses on whether a narrator's reports are accepted or rejected based on their reliability.
• 😀 There are six levels of assessment (Tarjih and Takdir) for a narrator's trustworthiness, from highest praise to severe criticism.
• 😀 The first level of Takdir involves superlative praise, like being the most reliable or the most intelligent.
• 😀 The second level includes praise that strengthens the narrator's qualities, such as calling them a 'Hafiz' (memorizer) or 'Siqah' (trustworthy).
• 😀 The third level involves statements of reliability without strong reinforcement, like calling someone a 'Hujjah' (proof).
• 😀 The fourth level implies neutrality, stating that the narrator has no known faults but lacks strong endorsement.
• 😀 The fifth level involves neutral terms like 'Fulan' (so-and-so) without affirming trustworthiness or weakness.
• 😀 The sixth and final level involves severe criticism, such as labeling a narrator's reports as 'weak' (Dha'if) or even accusing them of fabricating hadiths.

Q & A

What is the meaning of 'Al Jar' in the context of hadith?

'Al Jar' is derived from the Arabic word 'jaroha,' which means 'to wound' or 'to harm.' In hadith terminology, it refers to a quality of a narrator (rawi) indicating the loss of justice ('adl') and integrity ('dabit').

What does 'Tarjih' mean in hadith science?

'Tarjih' refers to the critical evaluation or judgment of a narrator, where certain attributes that could undermine the narrator’s integrity or reliability are identified, affecting the acceptance of their narration.

What is the definition of 'Adl' and 'Dabit' in hadith?

'Adl' refers to the quality of being upright and just in religious matters, which is essential for a narrator. 'Dabit' refers to the ability to preserve and accurately transmit hadiths.

What does 'Taqdir' mean in the context of hadith narration?

'Taqdir' is the act of evaluating a narrator positively, assigning them qualities that affirm their justice ('adl') and integrity ('dabit'), making them reliable for transmitting hadith.

What are the six levels of evaluation (Taqdir) for a narrator?

The six levels of evaluation range from the highest praise (e.g., 'the most trustworthy' or 'the most knowledgeable') to lower levels, where narrators may be deemed less reliable or not suitable for narrating hadith.

What is the significance of the first three levels of Taqdir?

The first three levels, characterized by superlative phrases (e.g., 'most trustworthy,' 'most steadfast'), indicate that the narrators are highly reliable, and their hadiths are accepted as valid for use in argumentation or proof.

How do the last three levels of Taqdir affect the acceptability of a hadith?

The last three levels range from narrators who are questionable but may still have their hadiths recorded for study, to those whose hadiths cannot be used for argumentation or even written due to severe doubts about their integrity.

What are the six levels of Jar (criticism) for a narrator?

The six levels of Jar describe various degrees of criticism a narrator might face, ranging from minor weaknesses in reliability to accusations of lying or fabricating hadith.

What is the impact of a narrator being categorized at the lowest levels of Jar?

If a narrator is classified at the lowest levels of Jar (such as being accused of lying or fabricating hadith), their narrations are entirely rejected, and their hadiths cannot be used for any religious or scholarly purposes.

What is the distinction between narrators evaluated in Taqdir and those evaluated in Jar?

Taqdir evaluates narrators positively, assigning them qualities of trustworthiness and integrity, while Jar involves criticism and highlights weaknesses, doubts, or falsehoods in their narrations.