The Common-Link Theory, invented by Joseph Schacht and widely accepted in modern scholarship, argues that ḥadith authorities knowingly and purposefully placed traditions in circulation with little care to support these ḥadiths with satisfactory isnads. G. H. A. Juynboll, Michael Cook and other Schachtians subsequently embraced and elaborated upon this theory. This dissertation challenges the accuracy of Schacht's founding theory. / The first chapter traces back and elucidates the formation of Schacht's Common-Link Theory, demonstrating how it is related to his other theories. The second chapter examines the responses to Schacht's theory, arguing that its proponents do no more than either expand upon it, or apply it to other fields of Islamic studies. The third chapter employs a critical technique in examining the evidence cited by Schacht and Juynboll, which not only shows the theory's deficiency, but also confirms its flawed nature by the very evidence they use. Two other critical approaches are demonstrated in the fourth chapter. The first rests on an analysis of relevant terms and rules employed by muḥaddiths, thereby offering a workable alternative to Schacht's faulty hypothesis. The second demonstrates the flaws of Schacht's methodology through a synthesis of multiple critiques developed here as well as by other scholars. The last chapter elucidates how Schacht's other theories would collapse as a result of the faultiness of the Common-Link Theory. / Because of the interconnectedness of Schacht's many theses about ḥadith and Islamic law, the findings of this dissertation will not only challenge the significant Common-Link Theory in legal ḥadith studies, but will, perforce, also open the door for scholars to question other important theories held by Schacht and his followers with regard to larger issues in Islamic legal history.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:LACETR/oai:collectionscanada.gc.ca:QMM.102474 |
| Date | January 2006 |
| Creators | Alhomoudi, Fahad A. |
| Publisher | McGill University |
| Source Sets | Library and Archives Canada ETDs Repository / Centre d'archives des thèses électroniques de Bibliothèque et Archives Canada |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Electronic Thesis or Dissertation |
| Format | application/pdf |
| Coverage | Doctor of Philosophy (Institute of Islamic Studies.) |
| Rights | © Fahad A. Alhomoudi, 2006 |
| Relation | alephsysno: 002572246, proquestno: AAINR27750, Theses scanned by UMI/ProQuest. |
Page generated in 0.0019 seconds