Mishkat: Journal of Theology and Civilization
Vol. 1 No. 2 (2026): Mishkat: Journal of Theology and Civilization

Methods of hadith transmission and narrator criticism: A comparative study of the Kufan and Basran hadith schools in the first and second centuries AH

Syahfidz Rosyalqin Azri (UIN Sunan Gunung Djati, Bandung, Indonesia)
Engkos Kosasih (UIN Sunan Gunung Djati, Bandung, Indonesia)
Sofyan Hadi (UIN Sunan Gunung Djati, Bandung, Indonesia)



Article Info

Publish Date
05 Nov 2026

Abstract

During the formation of Islamic scholarship, Kufa and Basra emerged as centers of hadith study within distinct social, political, and intellectual contexts. These differences shaped the practices of hadith transmission and narrator criticism in the two regions. This study compares these practices in the Kufan and Basran traditions during the first and second centuries AH through library research and historical-comparative analysis. The findings indicate that both traditions emphasized the isnād and narrator credibility, but developed distinct areas of focus. In Kufa, transmission criticism involved caution toward reports associated with political conflict and ideological disagreement. The Basran tradition, meanwhile, emphasized tadlīs, continuity of the isnād, and narrator evaluation. These differences did not mean that the traditions developed in isolation; scholars’ mobility, transmission networks, and scholarly exchange connected them. This study contributes by demonstrating the distinctive approaches to hadith criticism in Kufa and Basra and their interconnected role in the formation of early hadith criticism. Abstrak Pada masa pembentukan tradisi keilmuan Islam, Kufah dan Basra berkembang sebagai pusat kajian hadis dalam lingkungan sosial, politik, dan intelektual yang berbeda. Perbedaan konteks ini turut membentuk corak transmisi hadis dan kritik perawi di kedua wilayah. Penelitian ini membandingkan metode transmisi hadis dan kritik perawi dalam tradisi Kufah dan Basra pada abad pertama dan kedua Hijriah melalui studi kepustakaan dengan analisis historis-komparatif. Hasil kajian menunjukkan bahwa kedua tradisi sama-sama menempatkan sanad dan kredibilitas perawi sebagai perhatian penting, tetapi memiliki penekanan berbeda. Di Kufah, kritik periwayatan berkaitan dengan kehati-hatian terhadap riwayat dalam konteks konflik politik dan perbedaan ideologis. Sementara itu, tradisi Basra memperlihatkan perhatian pada tadlīs, kesinambungan sanad, dan penilaian perawi. Perbedaan ini tidak berarti keduanya berkembang secara terpisah. Mobilitas ulama, jaringan periwayatan, dan pertukaran keilmuan menghubungkan kedua tradisi. Penelitian ini berkontribusi dengan menunjukkan kekhasan corak kritik hadis di Kufah dan Basra serta keterhubungan keduanya dalam pembentukan tradisi kritik hadis awal.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

mishkat

Publisher

Subject

Description

Mishkat: Journal of Theology and Civilization aims to advance scholarship in Islamic theology and civilization by integrating perspectives from Islamic studies and the social sciences. The journal encourages interdisciplinary research that explores theological thought and its interaction with ...