TITLE

Joseph Schacht & Harald Motzki on Muslim

Hadith Literature: A Comparative Study of
their Approach towards Prophetic Traditions
By Fatima Safaraz Abbasi
Introduction
• The study of Hadith literature holds great importance for
understanding Islamic law and the advancement of Islamic
jurisprudence
• Muslim Scholars have worked hard to investigate the
reliability, transmission, and interpretation of these traditions
• Western scholars have also stepped into this field of study
providing critical perspectives and approaches

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Literature Review
• Joseph Schacht (1902-1969) continued Goldziher's (1850-1921) work
fifty years later in his important publications "Origins" (1950) and
"Introduction to Islamic Law" (1964). Schacht's opinions were outlined
in his article, "A Revaluation of Islamic Traditions," which was
published before Origins.
• Motzki challenged the reigning conclusions of Joseph Schacht by
demonstrating convincingly that their study of early hadịth and law used
only a small and selective body of sources, and that it was based on
skeptical assumptions which, taken together, often asked the reader to
believe a set of coincidences far more unlikely than the possibility that a
hadịth might actually date from the genesis of the Islamic community. 3
Objectives
● To compare the approaches of Joseph Schacht and Harald Motzki towards Muslim
Hadith literature regarding its authenticity, reliability, and transmission.
● To analyze the main arguments and methodologies used by Schacht in and Motzki.
● To understand the impact of Schacht and Motzki's works on the field of Hadith
studies, including their influence on debates, methodologies, and interpretations.
● To explore the historical context that shaped Schacht and Motzki's perspectives on
Hadith literature, considering societal factors and intellectual trends.
● To contribute to the existing knowledge in Hadith studies by identifying
commonalities and differences between Schacht and Motzki's research, highlighting
areas of potential agreement or disagreement.
.
Significance
The importance of studying Joseph Schacht's and Harald Motzki's
approaches to Muslim Hadith literature stems from the fact that the
orientalist paradigm differs largely from the non-orientalist approach
towards the study of Islam.
This study will offers a foundation for future academic discussion and
research in the field of Hadith studies by critically analyzing their
works, developing a greater comprehension of Western writings on
Muslim hadith studies and the growth of legal thought.
 Problem statement
Schacht and Motzki both being European scholars carried an extensive study
of Muslim Hadith Literature but reached divergent conclusions. The purpose
of this study is to understand the reasons of their divergent conclusions and
approaches towards the study of Muslim Hadith Literature.
Research Questions
1 . What are the sources employed by both Schacht and Motzki in their study?
2. What are the methodologies put forth by Schacht and Motzki in their
respective works?
3. Understanding of the critical issues: argument of e silentio, back growth of
isnads and common link theory that Joseph Schacht and Harald Motzki address
in their respective works?
4 .What impacts have the works of Schacht and Motzki had on the field of
Hadith studies, particularly in terms of subsequent academic debates,
methodologies, and interpretations?
5. How do Schacht and Motzki's perspectives on Hadith literature align or
diverge from the perspectives of traditional Muslim scholars?
 Research Methodology
The study will apply a comparative research methodology to examine
Joseph Schacht's and Harald Motzki's approaches to Muslim Hadith
literature. A literature review will be done to identify and understand
major scholarly works on the topic. Schacht and Motzki's key writings
will be critically examined for their arguments and approaches.
Historical context will be used to better understand the sociopolitical
variables influencing their methods. Furthermore, primary sources of
Hadith literature will be examined to determine the ramifications of
their results.
Bibliography
● "Book Review of Analysing Muslim Traditions: Studies in Legal, Exegetical and Maghazi
Hadith." Islamic Law and Society 78 (2010).
● Hassan, Ahmad. The Early Development of Islamic Jurisprudence. Islamabad: International
Research Institute, 2001.
● Motzki, Harald, and Nicolet Boekhoff, eds. Analysing Muslim Traditions: Studies in Legal,
Exegetical and Maghazi Hadith. Vol. 78, Islamic History and Civilization. Leiden: Brill, 2012.
● Motzki, Harald. The Origins of Islamic Jurisprudence: Meccan Fiqh before the Classical Schools
(Islamic History and Civilization). Translated by Marion H. Katz, Brill Academic Publishers,
2001.
● Schacht Joseph , ‘Revaluation of Islamic Traditions’ Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society of Great
Britain & Ireland
● Schacht, Joseph. The Origins of Muhammadan Jurisprudence. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1950.
● Shamsy, Ahmad. "Analysing Muslim Traditions: Studies in Legal Exegetical and Maghazi
Hadith." Islamic Law and Society 18 (2011): 440-49
● The Role of Non-Arab Converts in the Development of Early Islamic Law." In International
Medeival Conference. University of Leeds, 1997.