Hadith Expertise and the Formation of Ibn Katsir's Exegetical Orientation
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33511/alfanar.v7n2.94-106Keywords:
Ibnu Katsir, hadith expertise, exegetical orientation, Tafsir bi al-Ma'thur, quranic exegesisAbstract
The relationship between Hadith scholarship and Quranic exegesis has remained a significant subject in classical tafsir studies. As one of the most influential Muslim scholars, Ibnu Katsir is renowned for his authority in both Hadith and Quranic interpretation. This article examines the role of his Hadith expertise in shaping his exegetical orientation and explores its manifestation in the interpretation of the Quran. This study employed a qualitative approach using content analysis. Primary data were derived from Tafsir Ibnu Katsir, while secondary data were obtained from relevant literature on Hadith studies, Quranic exegesis, and the intellectual legacy of Ibnu Katsir. Data were collected through documentation techniques and analyzed descriptively to identify patterns of Hadith utilization, narrative selection, and interpretive characteristics. The findings reveal that Ibnu Katsir's Hadith expertise significantly shaped his tafsir bi al-ma'thur orientation, characterized by reliance on authentic Hadith, the application of sanad and matn criticism, the use of reports from the Companions and Successors, and a selective approach toward Isra'iliyyat narratives. These findings demonstrate that mastery of Hadith sciences constituted a fundamental basis for the validity and authority of Ibnu Katsir's exegesis and highlight the importance of integrating Hadith and tafsir studies in contemporary Quranic scholarship.
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