The Isnad system in Muslim tradition refers to the sourcing system which provides credibility for the akhbar which take an important place in Islamic epistemology. Akhbar are also known as Hadith which has meanings relating to “news.” The Quran also uses the word Hadith (ح د ث) in verses like:
- “On that Day, those who denied and disobeyed the Messenger will wish they were reduced to dust. And they will never be able to hide anything (hadithan) from God.”
- “Has there reached you the story (hadithu) of Moses?”
Isnads describe which companion or Imam related to which other person ad primus. For example:
- “Abu Ja’far Muhammad b. Ya’qub (al-Kulayni) has said: A number of our people of whom one is Muhammad b. Yahya al-‘Attar narrated from Ahmad b. Muhammad from Hasan b. Mahbub from al-’Ala b. Razin from Muhammad b. Muslim that Abu Ja’far (al-Baqir)
has said:”
The isnad establishes a chain of authority
More to follow on this topic if it is God’s will.
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