✍ By: Rashid Quddus
But here’s the question:
Why don’t we apply the same standards to Western history — to Europe and America’s past and their legal traditions?
If we did, much of Western historical narrative would collapse. The truth is, Islamic civilization has preserved its history with unmatched precision, while the West lacks even the concept of such methodical preservation.
— Heuristic judgments
— Assumed credibility
— Lack of firsthand insight
We usually don’t know:
— Who the reporter is
— Their biases or interests
— Their level of knowledge about the issue
And yet we accept most of it without question.
◉ We know the narrators of Hadith by name, lineage, birthplace, and more.
◉ We know their teachers, students, travel routes, and even details of their moral character.
◉ We know if, when, and how a narrator erred.
◉ This is the science of al-Jarḥ wa al-Taʿdīl — criticism and accreditation — which has no equal in any civilization.
Every narrator was subjected to scrutiny. Their entire biography and reputation were recorded, and narrations accepted or rejected accordingly.
◉ How much do we really know about ancient Greek philosophers or Roman emperors?
◉ Are their biographies authenticated with reliable chains of transmission?
◉ Has anyone validated their statements using a scientific method of transmission and reliability?
❖ Certainly not.
In fact, much of what we "know" about them is a blend of myth, legend, and speculative reconstruction.
— The life of the Prophet ﷺ
— The statements and actions of his companions
— The development of Islamic law
— With a degree of precision that remains unrivaled.
🛡 The scientific methodology of Hadith transmission is an academic miracle. Even today, Western historians and academics marvel at its sophistication.
“Tadwīn al-Ḥadīth” by Maulana Manazir Ahsan Gilani (رحمه الله)
It is a profound and enlightening work that clarifies the methodology behind the preservation of the Sunnah and will dispel many of the doubts and misconceptions one might hold.
❖ A Call for Fairness: Why the Double Standards?
There are many today who apply extraordinarily rigorous standards to Islamic history, especially the sciences of Hadith and Sīrah. Every narration is scrutinized down to the smallest detail — the chain of transmission, the integrity of narrators, and even personal biases.But here’s the question:
Why don’t we apply the same standards to Western history — to Europe and America’s past and their legal traditions?
If we did, much of Western historical narrative would collapse. The truth is, Islamic civilization has preserved its history with unmatched precision, while the West lacks even the concept of such methodical preservation.
❖ Today’s Information Chaos: Certainty or Confusion?
We live in the digital age, flooded with news, opinions, and reports. Despite this flood of information, our trust in any given piece of news is based primarily on:— Heuristic judgments
— Assumed credibility
— Lack of firsthand insight
We usually don’t know:
— Who the reporter is
— Their biases or interests
— Their level of knowledge about the issue
And yet we accept most of it without question.
❖ The Remarkable Islamic Standard of Transmission
Contrast this with the Islamic tradition of narration:◉ We know the narrators of Hadith by name, lineage, birthplace, and more.
◉ We know their teachers, students, travel routes, and even details of their moral character.
◉ We know if, when, and how a narrator erred.
◉ This is the science of al-Jarḥ wa al-Taʿdīl — criticism and accreditation — which has no equal in any civilization.
Every narrator was subjected to scrutiny. Their entire biography and reputation were recorded, and narrations accepted or rejected accordingly.❖ Western History: A Lack of Rigor
Now look at the West:◉ How much do we really know about ancient Greek philosophers or Roman emperors?
◉ Are their biographies authenticated with reliable chains of transmission?
◉ Has anyone validated their statements using a scientific method of transmission and reliability?
❖ Certainly not.
In fact, much of what we "know" about them is a blend of myth, legend, and speculative reconstruction.
❖ The Pride of the Islamic Scholarly Tradition
Islamic scholars have preserved:— The life of the Prophet ﷺ
— The statements and actions of his companions
— The development of Islamic law
— With a degree of precision that remains unrivaled.
🛡 The scientific methodology of Hadith transmission is an academic miracle. Even today, Western historians and academics marvel at its sophistication.
❖ A Humble Appeal
To our brothers, elders, and fellow seekers of truth: If you are questioning Islamic tradition because of modern doubts and orientalist critiques, then we urge you to study:“Tadwīn al-Ḥadīth” by Maulana Manazir Ahsan Gilani (رحمه الله)
It is a profound and enlightening work that clarifies the methodology behind the preservation of the Sunnah and will dispel many of the doubts and misconceptions one might hold.
