The Role of Reason in Dealing with the Prophetic Sunna in Relation to the Chain of Narrators, Text and Indication

Abstract

Abstract This article addresses the problem represented by the state of imbalance in looking at the nature of the relationship between reason and the Prophetic Sunna. This relationship should be balanced between accepting the role of reason in dealing with the sunna according to many logical rules and principles or completely rejecting its role. Hence, this article aims to clarify the role of reason in dealing with the sunna: chain of narrators, text, and indication. It also aims to reach a state of balance in the relationship between reason and narrations in general, and the sunna in particular according to scientific methodologies. The article first explained the role of reason in dealing with sunna in relation to Isnād, therefore, it explained the role of reason in the science of ḥadīth proving that this science is based on logic, and that reason plays a role in proving whether the ḥadīth is continuous (muṭṭaṣil) or sectioned (munqaṭiʿ). Secondly, the article discussed the role of reason in dealing with the text of the ḥadīth (matn) in the followings: how to harmonize between contradictory ḥadīths, weighing between the texts, considering the implications of texts and deduction from them. Lastly, the author adopted the deductive approach, as he decided the rule or theory and then inferred from the texts and sources what it proves and indicates its validity. Moreover, he used the historical analytical method based on the analysis of texts from their sources and their use in arriving at specific results which are apparent in this article.