امام زہری کا ارسال اور اس کا اثر: تجزیاتی جائزہ

Abstract

 This paper offers an analytical review of the irsaal (the practice of narrating Hadith without mentioning the immediate source) as employed by Imam Muhammad ibn Muslim ibn Ubaidullah al-Zuhri, a seminal figure in Islamic scholarship. Imam Zuhri's contributions to the collection and transmission of Hadith are highly regarded, but his practice of irsaal has sparked significant scholarly debate. This study examines the implications of irsaal in the context of Hadith authenticity, focusing on how Imam Zuhri's practices have influenced the reliability and acceptance of the narrations he transmitted. By drawing on classical Hadith literature and modern scholarship, the paper seeks to provide a nuanced understanding of the role of irsaal in Hadith sciences and its specific application by Imam Zuhri. The analysis also addresses the broader impact of irsaal on the methodology of Hadith transmission, highlighting both the strengths and potential challenges posed by this practice. The study explores the historical context in which Imam Zuhri operated, shedding light on the factors that may have led him to adopt the practice of irsaal. It further analyzes the criteria and circumstances under which Imam Zuhri employed irsaal, investigating whether this practice was a matter of necessity, methodological preference, or a reflection of the oral tradition prevalent during his time. Additionally, the paper evaluates the impact of irsaal on the broader field of Hadith studies, particularly in terms of its effect on the grading of narrators and the acceptance of Hadith. By examining the reception of Imam Zuhri's irsaal among his contemporaries and later scholars, the study provides insights into the varying degrees of trust placed in his narrations across different schools of thought. The analysis also considers how Imam Zuhri’s irsaal has influenced subsequent Hadith compilation efforts and the methodologies employed by later scholars. The paper concludes by reflecting on the enduring relevance of irsaal in contemporary Hadith criticism, offering a balanced assessment of its strengths and potential drawbacks in the pursuit of authentic Islamic knowledge