From the Methodology of Hadith to the History of Hadith: The Courses of the History of Hadith in Dar al-Funun Theology

Abstract

Dar al-Funan Theology founded in 1924 was a modern educational institution which adopted both traditional and modern approach to Islamic Sciences. The changes in the field of hadith during the process of transition to the university caused a change in the definitions and the titles of the courses such as from hadith al-slam if and usul al-hadith to hadith and the history of hadith and the time allocated to each course was gradually reduced. The preparation of the texts by the teachers in the hadith history courses and their content will answer the question of whether there is a transformation in the field of hadith in the early years of the Republic of Turkey. As a matter of fact, Izmirli Ismail Haqqis History of Hadith and Huseyin `Avni` Arapkirli's al-Bugya al-Hasis ff Tarih al-Hadith which were written in this period, pioneered the studies based on the field of the history of hadith in Turkish hadith literature. In addition, these works are the main source in understanding the period. In this study, the mentioned works will be textually analysed through the induction method. Therefore, the subjects that would reflect the ideas of the teachers will be discussed. Thus, it will be tried to determine whether the courses of the history of hadith are closer to tradition or modern ideas and, how the education of hadith is practised.