AN ANALYSIS OF IBN QUTAYBAH’S POSITIVE SYNCHRONISATION METHODOLOGY OF MUKHTALIF AL-ḤADĪTH

Abstract

The emergence of contemporary rebuke on allegedly problematic aḥādīth of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم by many critics gives rise to claims that these narrations are illogical or conflicting with the Qur’ānic teachings. However, those narrations highlighted as problematic were systematically elaborated, discussed, and codified in detail by many outstanding Muslim scholars of the past. Among them was Ibn Qutaybah al-Dinawārī (d. 276AH. / 894CE). This paper applies a descriptive method through content analysis of Ibn Qutaybah’s book Taʾwīl Mukhtalif al-Ḥadīth to derive his method of synchronising the alleged mukhtalif al-ḥadīth with the Qur’ānic teachings. It also intends to develop the guidelines in dealing with the alleged problematic ḥadīth relevant for today’s consumption. This paper concludes that utilising the positive method of taʾwīl (allegorical interpretation) will increase the possibility of a positive approach in understanding and implementing the teachings of the Prophetic Tradition.