Criteria for Detecting Fabricated Hadiths between Classical Heritage and Modern Methods: An Analytical Study

Abstract

This study, entitled “Criteria for Detecting Fabricated Hadiths between Classical Heritage and Modern Methods: An Analytical Study,” aims to examine the scientific foundations adopted by Hadith scholars in detecting fabricated (Mawḍūʿ) Hadiths and to analyze them in light of contemporary scientific methodologies. It also seeks to clarify the extent to which modern technological tools can support the traditional efforts undertaken to identify false narrations attributed to the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him and his family). The study addresses the central problem of whether traditional methodologies alone are capable of confronting the increasing spread of fabricated Hadiths in the digital age, and whether modern technologies can be utilized to enhance the processes of verifying the authenticity of narrations. The research adopts descriptive, analytical, and comparative approaches by examining primary Hadith sources, analyzing the views of Hadith scholars concerning the criticism of chains of transmission and textual content, and then comparing these methodologies with modern tools, including Hadith databases, search engines, artificial intelligence technologies, and text-analysis techniques. The study concludes that the efforts of Hadith scholars established precise scientific principles for detecting fabricated Hadiths and that modern tools cannot replace these principles. Rather, they constitute supportive tools that contribute to accelerating the retrieval, analysis, and cross-referencing of information, provided that they remain subject to the scientific standards established by Hadith scholars. The study also concludes that there is a need to develop specialized Hadith databases and applications based on artificial intelligence and grounded in established Hadith methodologies, thereby contributing to limiting the spread of fabricated Hadiths through the media and digital platforms.