Biographical and Narrative Studies
In order to determine the extent to which a tradition can be used in Islamic studies, if at all, through the process of two related fields of study: Biographical Studies, which critically examines particular attributes of narrators of traditions in order to determine their trustworthiness; and Narrative Studies, which investigates the chain and text of traditions in order to ascertain their authenticity. This module aims to examine criteria used for ascertaining the authenticity of traditions from both a Biographical and a Narrative point of view; and investigate individual biographies of important narrators and evaluate the different ways in which a tradition can be received and transmitted.
1
What are Biographical and Narrative Studies?
2
The Need for Biographical Studies
3
Ways of Ascertaining the Trustworthiness of a Narrator
4
The Consensus Companions
5
Biographical Study of Important Narrators
6
Terminology Employed in Biographical Studies
7
Classification of Traditions and the Level of their Authenticity
8
Terminology Employed in Narrative Studies
9
Modes of Receiving and Transmitting a Tradition
The teacher for this topic is Sheikh Subhani and the text book for it is: Durus Mujazah fi ‘Ilma al-Rijal wa al-Dirayah.Al-Subhani, J. (2010). Qum: Al-Mustafa International Translation and Publication Centre.