الوضع في الحديث النبوي، أسبابه، وأحكامه، وسبل المحدثين في مواجهته

Abstract

Fabrication in Prophetic Hadith is one of the afflictions that has plagued the Islamic Ummah, with its widespread harm compelling scholars to stand against it. A fabricated (Mawḍūʿ) hadith is one that is invented and falsely attributed, and the methods of fabrication vary depending on the motives behind it. Thus, Hadith scholars have authored books compiling forged narrations falsely ascribed to the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him). The fabricators are numerous, with differing objectives behind their forgery and lies against the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him). Some fabricated hadiths to corrupt the Shariah, others out of fanaticism, and some with the intention of drawing closer to Allah-among other reasons. There are various methods for identifying fabricators, which Hadith scholars have detailed in their works. Scholars unanimously agree on the prohibition of fabricating hadith, as well as narrating it, and they have set conditions for the permissibility of its transmission. A fabricator is a sinful transgressor, guilty of a major sin-unless they deem the forbidden permissible or the permissible forbidden, in which case they commit disbelief. It is also impermissible to act upon a fabricated hadith. Thus, Allah-the Almighty-has appointed Hadith scholars and critics for this Ummah, who have confronted fabrication and its perpetrators; they expose their condition and exert tremendous efforts to preserve the hadith of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him). They also employed various methods to counter and resist fabrication in order to limit its spread. Exposing fabricators is a religious necessity-to safeguard the noble Shariah from the lies of deceivers, as an act of sincerity to Allah, His Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him), and the Muslims. This does not constitute backbiting, as fabricators are a grave harm to the religion, corrupting it from within. Therefore, it is not permissible for any knowledgeable person to remain silent upon knowing a fabricator. All praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds, and may peace and blessings be upon the Prophet sent as a mercy to all creation.