Āyatollāh Muḥammadī Riyshahrī, Guzīdih-yi Shinākhtnāmih-yi Ḥadīth (Selected Encyclopedia of Ḥadīth Studies), 1st ed., 1 vol., Qom: Dār al-Ḥadīth Publications, 1400 SH (2021 CE), 439 pp.
Guzīdih-yi Shinākhtnāmih-yi Ḥadīth (Selected Encyclopedia of Ḥadīth Studies) is a carefully selected and translated volume from the comprehensive three-volume encyclopedia originally authored by Āyatollāh Muḥammad Muḥammadī Riyshahrī. This single-volume selection, translated and edited by Ḥujjat al-Islām ʿAbd al-Hādī Masʿūdī, was published in 2021 by Dār al-Ḥadīth. Focused on the significance, methodology, and various aspects of ḥadīth science, the book seeks to serve both as a reference and a guide for scholars and students engaged in the field of Islamic studies.
The original work, Shinākhtnāmih-yi Ḥadīth (Encyclopedia of Ḥadīth Studies), was published in 2018 (1397 SH) in three volumes, encompassing over 1300 pages. The present abridgment retains the structure and core insights of the original, while omitting repetitive sections and streamlining analytical discussions. Its primary aim is to make essential content more accessible to researchers and to address contemporary questions about the status, role, and function of ḥadīth in Islamic scholarship.
Āyatollāh Muḥammad Muḥammadī Riyshahrī (1946–2022), also known as Muḥammad Muḥammadī Nīk, was a highly respected Shīʿī scholar and expert in ḥadīth studies. He played a central role in the post-revolutionary religious and intellectual development of Iran. In addition to his clerical authority, he served in several significant positions, including representative in the Assembly of Experts, head of Iranian pilgrims to Ḥajj, and custodian of the Shrine of ʿAbd al-ʿAẓīm al-Ḥasanī.
Āyatollāh Riyshahrī was the founder and president of the University of the Qurʾān and Ḥadīth and spearheaded several scholarly initiatives under the Dār al-Ḥadīth foundation. Among his most prominent works are Mīzān al-Ḥikma (The Scale of Wisdom), and encyclopedic treatments of the lives and teachings of Imām ʿAlī (a), Imām Ḥusayn (a), and Imām al-Mahdī (a). His intellectual style is marked by systematic compilation, thematic categorization, and a deep commitment to integrating Qurʾānic principles with transmitted traditions.
At the heart of Guzīdih-yi Shinākhtnāmih-yi Ḥadīth lies the conviction that sunnah—comprising the sayings, actions, and tacit approvals of the Prophet Muḥammad (s) and of the Ahl al-Bayt (a)— forms an indispensable source for understanding Islam. The Selected Encyclopedia of Ḥadīth Studies not only underscores the foundational role of ḥadīth in Islamic theology and law but also attempts to resolve the technical, philosophical, and methodological challenges that confront modern-day ḥadīth scholarship.
The book’s central thesis is that effective and authentic utilization of ḥadīth demands a comprehensive understanding of the principles governing its narration, preservation, transmission, interpretation, and critique. Through this work, Āyatollāh Riyshahrī aims to provide both the scholarly tools and the theological justification needed to engage deeply with ḥadīth literature in a meaningful and faithful way.
This abridged version is organized into twelve chapters, each dealing with a key dimension of ḥadīth studies:
- Chapter One: Understanding the Sunnah
This section introduces the concept of sunnah in its Qurʾānic and ḥadīth contexts, asserting its divine origin and its function as a complement to the Qurʾān.
- Chapter Two: Authority of the Sunnah
The chapter compiles verses and narrations affirming the binding nature of the sunnah, equating obedience to the Prophet (s) and the Ahl al-Bayt (a) with obedience to God.
- Chapter Three: Accessing the Sunnah
It emphasizes that the reliable path to the Prophet’s legacy lies through the Ahl al-Bayt (a), regarded as the true inheritors and transmitters of his teachings.
- Chapter Four: Learning Ḥadīth
Here, the virtues of learning, preserving, and disseminating ḥadīth are discussed, with emphasis on communal literacy in ḥadīth sciences.
- Chapter Five: Transmission of Ḥadīth
This section explores types of narrators, ethics of transmission, and the permissibility of paraphrasing the sayings of the Imāms (a).
- Chapter Six: Writing Ḥadīth
Early Islamic examples of writing ḥadīth, the benefits of documentation, and historical restrictions against it are examined.
- Chapter Seven: Comprehending Ḥadīth
The author stresses that mere memorization is insufficient, and understanding the intent and language of ḥadīth is essential for proper implementation.
- Chapter Eight: Critiquing Ḥadīth
Multiple criteria are offered for verifying the authenticity of narrations, such as compatibility with the Qurʾān, consistency with the sunnah, and alignment with reason and human nature.
- Chapter Nine: Presentation of Ḥadīth
The practice of presenting ḥadīth to the Imāms (a) or trustworthy narrators as a means of verification is detailed here.
- Chapter Ten: Contradictory Narrations
The author discusses reasons behind apparent contradictions among narrations and offers guidance from the Imāms (a) on resolving them.
- Chapter Eleven: Fabrication of Ḥadīth
A stark warning against fabrication is issued, with examples of forged ḥadīth and the motivations behind them.
- Chapter Twelve: Golden Narrations
The book concludes with a selection of noble and exemplary narrations described as “written in gold,” signifying their high spiritual and moral worth.
The Selected Encyclopedia of Ḥadīth Studies stands as a model of clarity, scholarship, and accessibility. It bridges classical Shīʿī thought and contemporary concerns by offering both solid textual foundations and critical tools for navigating the complex terrain of ḥadīth literature. While preserving the rigorous analytical spirit of the original three-volume work, the abridged edition caters to a wider readership by focusing on essential concepts and themes.
One of the book’s strongest features is its careful balance between raw textual citation and scholarly commentary. The compilation of relevant Qurʾānic verses and ḥadīths in each chapter is not merely illustrative; it forms the evidentiary bedrock for the theological claims made. Moreover, the integration of structured analysis—supported by respected collaborators such as Sayyid Muḥammad Kāẓim Ṭabāṭabāʾī, Dr. Mahdī Ghulāmʿalī, and Muḥammad Riḍā Sajjādīṭalab—enhances the academic reliability of the work.
In conclusion, Guzīdih-yi Shinākhtnāmih-yi Ḥadīth is an invaluable resource for students, researchers, and anyone seeking to deepen their understanding of the theory and praxis of ḥadīth within Shīʿī Islam. It reflects the wisdom, vision, and scholarly legacy of Āyatollāh Riyshahrī and continues to serve as a beacon for those walking the path of prophetic knowledge.
