An analytical evaluation of the hadiths concerning social etiquette in the kitāb al-adab of İbn Mājah's sunan

ABSTRACT This study examines the role of hadiths in addressing moral degradation in individual and social life by focusing on the Kitāb al-Adab section of Ibn Mājah's Sunan. In contemporary society, the erosion of moral values—especially within the family, interpersonal communication, and social relationships—has led to serious ethical disruptions. Fundamental principles of adab, such as respect, responsibility, and compassion, have weakened in daily life. Against this backdrop, the sayings and practices of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) are presented not only as a guide for personal conduct but also as a framework for social reform. The first part of the study explores the concept of adab from etymological and historical perspectives and examines the formation and purpose of Kitāb al-Adab literature in classical hadith compilations. The second part focuses on a thematic analysis of the hadiths found in Ibn Mājah's Kitāb al-Adab, evaluating their relevance to contemporary social issues and the moral messages they convey. In the study, relevant commentary (sharh) sources have been taken as the basis for understanding and interpreting the hadiths. The aim is to contribute to Islamic thought on social ethics and demonstrate how hadiths can respond to today's moral crises. This study aims to shed light on the moral issues of social life through the hadiths in the Kitāb al-Adab section of Ibn Mājah's Sunan, evaluating the contemporary relevance of concepts such as decency and morality. Content analysis method has been adopted, and the study is limited solely to the hadiths found in the Kitāb al-Adab. The purpose is to examine the moral contributions of the Prophet Muhammad's words and practices on both individual and societal levels. As a result, it has been determined that these hadiths offer a strong foundation for value construction in response to contemporary social problems and can serve as a moral guide for Muslim societies.