The use of kināyah in hadith: An analysis of the muttafaq 'alayh hadiths

The thesis titled "The Use of Kināyah in Hadith: An Analysis on the Muttafaq 'Alayh Hadiths" centers not only on the content dimension of hadith texts but also on their literary and stylistic characteristics. The study primarily aims to examine the use of the art of kināyah in muttafaq 'alayh hadiths. In Arabic rhetoric, kināyah refers to the art of implying another meaning indirectly, beyond the apparent sense of words. This mode of expression, frequently employed by the Prophet Muhammad, draws attention as an elegant means of communication and an effective pedagogical method. In the introduction, the concept of kināyah is addressed within its historical process, and the literature is reviewed in the light of classical Arabic rhetoric and modern studies. The main purpose of the study is to reveal the contexts and functions in which kināyah is used in the Prophet's speech and to determine the dimensions that this mode of expression adds to the depth of meaning in hadiths. The thesis consists of three main chapters. In the first chapter, the rhetorical sciences forming the basis of the art of kināyah—especially the science of bayān and its related subfields—are introduced with examples. In the second chapter, the science of kināyah is examined in detail under a conceptual heading; its divisions and classifications are presented, and examples are provided to enhance clarity. The place of kināyah in Islamic literature is also evaluated. In the third chapter, al-Lu'lu' wa'l-Marjān, which contains muttafaq 'alayh hadiths, is chosen as the source text. After introducing the author and the content of the work, hadiths containing kināyah are classified according to the themes of faith, worship, and morality, and analyzed from literary and semantic perspectives. The evaluation reveals that kināyah carries deep meanings beyond the literal level, enriches expression in terms of eloquence and literary style, functions as a pedagogical tool, and serves as an indirect means of social guidance. Consequently, this thesis demonstrates that the kināyah style in the sayings of the Prophet Muhammad represents a form of communication that guides through reflection, teaches gently, and possesses high literary qualities, thereby aiming to fill an important gap in the fields of hadith studies and classical Arabic literature. Keywords: Arabic Language and Rhetoric, Expression / Elucidation, Indirect Expression / Metonymy, Hadith, Agreed Upon (by al-Bukhari and Muslim)