Describe the criteria used by Muhaddithin to determine the authenticity of Hadith.

KCSE IRE Paper 1 2012 Question 3(a) with Answers.

(a) Describe the criteria used by Muhaddithin to determine the authenticity of Hadith.  (8 marks)

Criteria used by Muhaddithin to determine the authenticity of Hadith Muhaddithin ensured that:

1. Every Hadith must be tracked back to the original reporter through a continuous chain of transmitters.
2. Every Hadith that reports an event that took place repeatedly and in the presence of a large number of people must be corroborated by others who were in attendance at the time of that event.
3. A reporter of Hadith should be well known person.
4. A reporter of Hadith should be a Muslim of unquestionable character/trustworthy/competent.
5. The chain of narrators should end with the prophet (p.b.u.h).
6. The narrator must have a good memory.
7. Age of narrators had to be known so as to prove that they had clearly understood what they saw or heard.
8. The narrator must have been present when the reported action or saying took place or provide an authentic and complete chain of narrators.
9. It must be proved that each narrator met each of his teachers/transmitter and that they were of the same geographical position so as to remember and to grasp the full impact of Hadith.
10. A reporter of Hadith should be a scholar of Hadith should be a scholar of Hadith.
11. A Hadith must quote what was said or done by the Prophet (p.b.u.h).
12. A Hadith should not be against the house of the Prophet (p.b.u.h).
13. A Hadith should not be inconsistent i.e. e.g. a Hadith that promises large rewards for small deeds except where it was proved and in limited instances that the Prophet said so.
14. A Hadith should not be illogical or contrary to reason.
15. A Hadith should not contradict the teachings of the Quaran or favour a particular Madhahib.
16. Hadith which contain detailed prophecies of future events with dates are not authentic.
17. A Hadith should not be against other Hadith on the same subject which have already been accepted as authentic and reliable.

(8 x 1=8 marks)

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