Higher Hadith Research Department
It is a firmly established fact that Hadith and the Hadith sciences bear on every branch of Shariah learning. From Islamic creed through Tafsir and Fiqh, the necessity of Hadith and the Hadith sciences is universally acknowledged. Generation after generation, discerning scholars have therefore given Hadith and its sciences the highest priority. In keeping with this tradition, Qutbul Alam Allama Shah Jamiruddin Nanupuri (rahimahullah, d. 2011) established the "Higher Hadith Research Department" at this Jamia in 1432 Hijri, corresponding to 2009 CE — a programme that continues without interruption to this day (Alhamdulillah).
Aims of the department:
1. To master the Hadith sciences and gain proficiency in grading Hadith authenticity according to the methodology of the muhaddithin.
2. To gain firmness in the way of the pious predecessors (Salaf as-Salihin), and full command of the four established schools of Fiqh, especially the Hanafi school.
3. To gain the ability to answer every kind of false propaganda from deviant groups.
4. To correctly grasp the meaning of Hadith while also gaining the competence to derive Shariah rulings and related matters from them.
5. To firmly establish the core beliefs of Ahl al-Sunnah wal-Jama'ah.
Activities and features of the department:
The department's programme runs three years in total — two years mandatory, and an optional third year.
Core activities of the department:
1. Instruction, via subject-specific handouts (madda), in every branch of the Hadith sciences, especially: Usul al-Hadith, the principles of criticism and validation (Jarh wa Ta'dil), the principles of hadith referencing (Takhrij), the study of narrators and chains of transmission ('Ilm al-Rijal), the science of fabrication in Hadith, and the science of hidden defects ('Ilal al-Hadith).
2. Thorough practice (tamrin) to internalise the essential principles of every one of these sciences.
3. Dedicated instruction in 'Ilm Gharib al-Hadith — uncovering the correct meaning of rare words and unfamiliar phrases used in the Prophetic Hadith — to build real expertise.
4. Identifying every doubt and objection Islam's opponents raise concerning the Sunnah, and providing decisive rebuttals.
5. Dedicated instruction in Manahij al-Muhaddithin fi Ta'lifatihim — understanding the types of works written by Hadith scholars and their methodology.
6. Instruction aimed at special knowledge of the principles of fatwa and Fiqh.
7. A dedicated lesson in Sharh Mushkil al-Athar, to build sound understanding of 'Ilm Mushkil al-Hadith and 'Ilm Mukhtalaf al-Hadith.
8. Daily oral recitation of each class's lesson from memory, by every student.
9. Analytical instruction in Sharh Ma'ani al-Athar, aimed at unlocking the core meaning and correct intent of a hadith's text (matn).
10. For second-year students: a mandatory analytical essay (Tahlil Ahwal al-Rijal) assessing the acceptability of narrators.
11. Systematic instruction and practice in 'Ilm al-Wad' fi al-Hadith (fabrication in Hadith), so students fully internalise every principle of this complex subject and become completely proficient in it.
12. For first-year students: a long essay on "Hadith Mursal" and Tadwin al-Hadith (the history of Hadith compilation), required to practise the methods of essay preparation and writing conventions (I'dad al-Bahth wa Qawa'id al-Imla) and to build research competence.
13. Study of some of the most important books on Hadith sciences, Hadith commentary, and the science of narrators, with a weekly examination on each.
14. Instruction introducing important reference works (Ta'aruf al-Kutub), with a weekly examination.
15. Based on a study of chains and texts (Dirasat al-Asanid wal-Mutun), an extensive research essay analysing, in light of Hadith, specific issues disputed between Ahl al-Sunnah wal-Jama'ah and deviant groups, and proposing solutions.
16. In the first year: memorising one thousand hadiths on the virtues (fada'il) of deeds, together with the narrators' names, sources, and grading.
17. In the second year: memorising one thousand hadiths on legal rulings (ahkam), together with narrators' names, sources, and grading.
18. In the third year: memorising one thousand fabricated and popularly circulated hadiths, together with narrators' names, sources, and grading.
19. In the second year: al-Fatawa al-Hadithiyya — providing fatwa-form answers to Hadith-related questions and problems.
20. Instruction in Bangla and English language and literature.
21. Computer instruction, including essential programs such as Word, graphics, and Photoshop.
22. In the third year, extensive practice on important Fiqh-related issues, to build a working connection with Fiqh and competence in issuing fatwas.
23. Daily reporting of each student's activities.
Second-year activities:
1. Instruction, via subject handouts, aimed at special knowledge of 'Ilm al-'Ilal (the science of hidden defects).
2. Extensive practice to help students easily master the essential rules and principles of this science.
3. Analytical instruction in Sharh Ma'ani al-Athar, aimed at unlocking the core meaning and correct intent of a hadith's text.
4. An analytical essay (Tahlil Ahwal al-Rijal) assessing the acceptability of specific narrators who are subjects of scholarly disagreement.
5. Systematic instruction and practice in 'Ilm al-Wad' fi al-Hadith, so students fully internalise every principle of this complex subject and become completely proficient in it.
6. Dedicated instruction in 'Ilm Gharib al-Hadith, to build real expertise in uncovering the meaning of rare and unfamiliar words in the Prophetic Hadith.
7. Identifying every doubt and objection Islam's opponents raise concerning the Sunnah, and providing decisive rebuttals.
8. Dedicated instruction in Manahij al-Muhaddithin fi Ta'lifatihim.
9. An extensive research essay analysing, in light of Hadith, specific issues disputed between Ahl al-Sunnah wal-Jama'ah and deviant groups, and proposing solutions.
10. Memorising one thousand hadiths on legal rulings, together with narrators' names, sources, and grading.
11. Study of select analytical works on narrator-criticism literature, with a weekly examination.
Third-year (optional) activities:
1. Instruction aimed at special knowledge of the principles of fatwa and Fiqh.
2. A dedicated lesson in Sharh Mushkil al-Athar, to build sound understanding of 'Ilm Mushkil al-Hadith and 'Ilm Mukhtalaf al-Hadith.
3. Instruction in Bangla language and literature.
4. Instruction in English language and literature.
5. Computer instruction, including Word, graphics, and Photoshop.
6. Memorising one thousand fabricated and popularly circulated hadiths, with narrators' names, sources, and grading.
7. Study of core texts on Hadith, Hadith commentary, Fiqh, and Usul al-Fiqh, with a monthly examination.
8. Extensive practice on important Fiqh-related issues, to build a working connection with Fiqh and competence in issuing fatwas.
Also included:
1. Continuous supervision by a dedicated overseer (mushrif).
2. Semester-based instruction and examinations.
3. Analytical seminars on complex contemporary issues.
4. Publication of seminar talks as commemorative booklets.
5. Second-year students' long Arabic research essays are condensed and translated into Bangla and published in book form for public benefit.
6. Daily reporting of student activities.
7. For students completing the first year, a month-long computer course is offered at year's end, to aid in research and verification work.
8. To make research work easier and internationally standard, second-year students are provided computers by the department.
9. Providing al-Fatawa al-Hadithiyya — fatwa-form solutions to Hadith-related questions and problems.
10. A dedicated department website has been launched to help resolve the problems of the nation and community, and to carry the light of the Qur'an and Sunnah to the entire Muslim Ummah.