weakening from the aspect of Rijal science.

A comparative survey on methods of Ibn al-Ghaḍā'irī, Shaykh Ṭūsī and al-Najāshī in treatment with non-Imami hadith transmitters

Dr. Mahdi Jalaly¹

Samaneh Robati²

The denomination of a hadith transmitter has different functions in the field of Shi'a hadith; one of these functions applies to the field of Rijal science and recognition of the hadith transmitters. Later Shi'a experts in Rijal science have had a special concern about the denomination of the hadith transmitters, and questioned the reliability of non-Shi'a hadith transmitters even if they were reliable per se. However, the early experts of this knowledge based on whose opinions the writings of later Rijal experts were compiled, have considered countless non-Imami hadith transmitters as reliable and have deemed the hadiths transmitted by them dependable.

Having applied a comparative method the present article aims to specify the aspects of similarity and differentiation of the early Shi'a Rijal experts' functions in treating with non-Imami hadith transmitters. It also investigates the terms of "jarḥ" and "ta'dīl (lit. weakening and strengthening the status of a hadith transmitter) applied to these hadith transmitters. The field of similarities includes such cases as gradual tawthīq (i.e. considering a hadith transmitter as reliable) of the non-Imami hadith transmitters, the minimal [practice] of "jarḥ" and lack of distinguishing between their past status and their present one; and the field of differences includes such cases as the non-explicit consideration of the non-Imami hadith transmitters as reliable and the emphasized consideration of hadith transmitters as reliable. The findings of this research indicates that the distinct function of each Rijal expert scholar is because of difference in the method and goals of compilation. However, even their different functions represent that Ibn al-Ghadāirī, Shyakh Ṭūsī, and al-Najāshī do not consider the adherence to the Shi'a and Sunni denominations as a reason of weakening a hadith transmitter, rather the veracity and accuracy of a hadith transmitter are the two influential elements for their judgment about the hadith transmitters.

Keywords: hadith transmitters, non-Imami, Ibn al-Ghadāirī, Shyakh Ṭūsī, and al-Najāshī, opinions.