Exploring Ignác Goldziher's Insights on Hadith Literature and Terminologies

Abstract

Ignác Goldziher, a revered authority in Western Islamic studies, has left an indelible mark on the understanding of early Islamic literature, particularly on the subject of hadiths. In his scholarship, Goldziher navigated a fine line between highlighting previously unexplored aspects and aligning with established Muslim scholarly observations. He proposed that written hadith materials existed during the first century after the Hijra, resonating with the beliefs of Muslim scholars. However, his stance on the prohibition of writing hadiths as a later fabrication deviates from traditional views. Goldziher's assertion that secular influences shaped independent literary traditions, leading to the development of various genres before religious literature, challenges conventional narratives. His analysis of musnad and musannaf classifications, as well as his distinction between various sūnan works, showcases his in-depth grasp of Islamic textual sources. While Goldziher's interpretations sometimes diverge from Islamic scholarship, his insights remain integral to discussions on early Islamic literature and provide a valuable lens for examining the development of hadith literature and concepts. In this article, Goldziher’s views on the written record of ḥadīths, the early period ḥadīth literature, the concepts of kitāb, muṣannaf, jāmiʿ, sunan and musnad will be discussed specifically his book Muhammedanische Studien.