مشکوۃ المصابیح میں وارد منتخب غریب الحدیث کا ایک تحقیقی جائزہ

Selected Gharīb al-Ḥadīth in Mishkāt al-Maṣābīḥ: A Research Study

Abstract

Gharib al-Hadith is an important branch of the sciences of Hadith that deals with the explanation and interpretation of uncommon, unfamiliar, or difficult words and expressions found in the sayings of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. As the meanings of certain words became less familiar over time and gradually disappeared from common usage, scholars felt the need to clarify their meanings to ensure a correct understanding of the Prophetic traditions.The primary objective of this discipline is to explain the difficult vocabulary occurring in Hadith literature so that the intended meanings of the traditions may be properly understood. This enables scholars, jurists, students of Hadith, and ordinary Muslims to derive religious guidance and legal rulings accurately and to avoid misunderstandings arising from obscure expressions.From the earliest period, Muslim scholars devoted special attention to this field and produced independent works on the subject. Among the most prominent scholars who contributed to it were Abu Ubayd al-Qasim ibn Sallam, Ibn Qutaybah al-Dinawari, Al-Khattabi, and Ibn al-Athir al-Jazari. Their scholarly efforts preserved the meanings of rare expressions and greatly facilitated a proper understanding of the Prophetic traditions.In summary, Gharib al-Hadith is the branch of Hadith studies that focuses on explaining difficult and unfamiliar words occurring in the traditions of the Prophet ﷺ, thereby enabling a sound understanding of the Sunnah and allowing Muslims to benefit more effectively from its teachings.