The hadith according to ahlus sunnah and Ibadiya: Ma'mer b. Rashid and Rabi' b. Habib as examples

This comparative study discusses the most prominent features of a modern approach to Sunni and Ibādhī thought through the works of Ma'mar bin Rāshid (d. 153 AH/770 AD) and al-Rabī' b. Habīb (d. 171 AH/776 AD) (al-Jāmi' or the Musnad), with special attention being paid to the Ibādhīs' interaction with the hadīths, as it is the oldest doctrine originating in the history of Islam and forms the foundations of faith as well as political assets in its early stages. The Ibādhīs contested ideas and trends of successive Islamic governments –since the Umayyads assumed power– which had an immediate effect on the building of the Islamic community due to the conflict between these two parties in which co-existing in one environment peacefully was impossible. The Ibādhīs chose isolation from society, forming a secret society in which their members prepared to obtain and hold power in certain places when possible. Interest in the topic also stems from the gap created by past events between the Ibādhī and Sunni schools that exist until today, as well as the lack of any serious pursuit by researchers entering the Ibādhī world and understanding the reality of it from within. This study aims to clarify the truth by means of discussing the old dispute that led to the emergence of Ibādhīs in history, and explain its subsequent impact. It also follows discussions about Ma'mar bin Rāshid and al-Rabī' b. Habīb and their books by other scientists, as well as investigates the sharing of narratives within the two books, presenting the similar and differing points in both the chain of narratives and text (Isnād and Matn). This work also highlights the method of how Ibādhīs apply various kinds of sciences of criticism, understanding and comprehension (fiqh) in the texts of the narratives (matn) for example scrutinizing the hadith against the Holy Qur'an, the Sunnah and the sound mind, Gharīb al-Hadīths (obscure/unfamiliar), abrogation in hadith, Mukhtalif al-Ahādīth (conflicting Prophetic narrations) and explanation of hadīths. It is worth mentioning that the hadiths that is being presented in the study, are mostly chosen from the two books of Ma'mar and Rabī'. Hadīths that are quoted aside from these two works are specially indicated, or when others refer to it, while simultaneously recalling the necessary views of the Sunnīs in necessary matters. Finally, the results of the study are included in the conclusion. Key words: Ibādiyya, Khārijites, Ma'mar bin Rāshid, al-Jāmi', al-Rabī' b. Habīb, al-Musnad