An introduction to the stylistic analysis of the prophetic traditions

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Full professor at Tehran University

2 Full Professor, Tehran University

3 ph.D student, Quran and hadith sciences, Tehran University

Abstract

The study of style in studying different types of writing and discovering their stylistic characteristics, has been very effective in evaluating their genuineness. This science, either in its traditional form or  in its new methods , has always been used by those studying the text and literal critics. This kind of study can lead us to reach a better understanding of the infallibles (PBUH) words and the authenticity of the words attributed to them. Studying the genuineness of traditions, according to text analysis including its style, is necessary in hadith studies; therefore this article, Based on new stylistic methods and taking into consideration works done in this field by traditionists, has studied the traditions attributed to the holy Prophet (PBUH) and indicated its stylistic characteristics. Stylistics employing methods mentioned by different schools in this field of study, considers each tradition as a text and the result of studying it is considered as an evidence for or against genuineness of the hadith. Moreover discovering the characteristics of the prophetic words such as: simplicity, being rhetoric and comprehensive are of the results of this inquiry. The interaction of the personal style of his majesty with that of that era, such as the impact of the divine teachings and the prophetic traditions on that days culture  and the holy Prophet’s usage of contemporary skills, such as giving sermons and other methods, are the further issues discussed in this essay.
 

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