أثر منهج علماء الحديث في تأليف مدوّنة الأغاني للأصبهاني

The Impact of Hadith Scholars’ Methodology on al-Asbahani’s Compilation of Kitab al-Aghani

Abstract

The compilation and transmission of Hadith established a systematic methodology that deeply influenced various Islamic sciences. One notable area of influence is Arabic literary narratives, particularly the organization, citation, and transmission of stories, poetry, and anecdotes. This study investigates the impact of the Hadith methodology on Abu al-Faraj al-Asbahani’s Al-Aghani, a monumental literary work encompassing songs, poems, anecdotes, biographies, and historical reports. By applying the principles of isnad (chain of transmission) and jarh wa ta'dil (evaluation of narrators), al-Asbahani meticulously organized his material in a manner reflecting the discipline and precision of Hadith scholars. This research highlights both the formal and substantive influence of Hadith methodology on literary composition, demonstrating that Al-Aghani represents a unique intersection of literature, history, and Hadith sciences. The study offers insights into how methodological rigor in transmission shaped the development of Arabic narrative traditions.