An Analytical Study of the Tahqiq Methodology of ʿAbd Al-Fattah Abu Ghuddah in His Work Qawaʿid Fi ʿUlum Al-Hadith By Al-Tahanawi

Abstract

This study examines the tahqiq methodology applied by Shaykh ʿAbd al-Fattah Abu Ghuddah in his critical edition of Qawaʿid fi ʿUlum al-Hadith. In the scholarly tradition of hadith studies, the tahqiq of classical manuscripts plays a vital role in ensuring textual authenticity and accuracy of understanding. However, previous research has largely focused on the content of such works rather than on the editorial methodology employed by muhaqqiqs. This has created a scholarly gap in comprehending how the principles of tahqiq are practically and critically implemented by contemporary scholars. The primary objective of this study is to systematically analyze the tahqiq methods employed by Abu Ghuddah in editing al-Tahanawi’s Qawaʿid fi ʿUlum al-Hadith. This research adopts a qualitative approach through content analysis based on a comprehensive review of the text and related secondary sources. The findings reveal that Abu Ghuddah’s methodology emphasizes verification of primary sources, clear distinction between the author’s text and editorial commentary, the use of symbolization, biographical notes on hadith scholars, clarification of technical terminology and critical engagement with al-Tahanawi’s views. His approach demonstrates that tahqiq is not merely the restoration of a manuscript to its original form but also an intellectual endeavor that enriches understanding through systematic and scholarly commentary. The implications of this study are both theoretical and practical. Theoretically, it contributes to expanding the discourse on tahqiq methodology in hadith studies by offering a more comprehensive model. Practically, it provides a reference framework for researchers, postgraduate students and contemporary muhaqqiqs in producing high-quality, authentic and academically rigorous editions of classical Islamic texts.