THE NOBLE HADITH IN THE EARLY DAYS OF ISLAM-A Critical Study Of Western a western approach

This work is devoted to illustrate the actual status of THadith, i.e. the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h) during the early days of Islam (up to 150 A.H.). The first chapter is assigned to the issue of the importance of Hadith in the early days of Islam. It points out-after an examination of a recent western approach on the subject- the idea of the Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h) amongst his people and demonstrates the nature of the Prophet’s sayings and deeds and the motives behind the considerable interest in his Hadith shown by the people of the early days of Islam. The second chapter deals with the question of the beginning of the recognition of Hadith as a basic source of guidance After a close investigation of lames Robson’s hypothesis on this issue, the chapter will address this question in detail Hadith and statements of the first half of the second century of the hijrah it poits out the way according to which Muslims at that time dealt with the Sunnah of the Prophet, at both fonnal and info I I | It also refutes some arguments adduced b {I19 rm: eVe.s’ in the delay of the adoption of the Sunnalll S: W. 0 behef of guidance, until the time of al-shafi’i

• AUTHOR: FATHIDEEN BEYANOUNI INTERNATIONAL ISLAMIC UNIVERSITY MALAYSIA