Ibn Hadjar al-Haytamî (D. 974/1567) and his places in hadith science

The contribution of scholars to the development of Islamic scientific and cultural history has been great. Among these, hadith scholars who carry out their work within the framework of the sunnah, the second source of Islam, have a separate and special position. When we look at the hadith literature, it can be seen that an uncountable number of works have been produced. Some of the muhadiths who wrote these works have come to the fore compared to others due to their various qualities, and more information has been given about them. In this context, various both for and against information about their biographies, scientific figures and works is extensively included. One of these scholars is Ibn Hadjar al-Haytami, who has distinguished himself in the scientific world with her scientific life, works and views. The main area of expertise of Haytami, who was known as the Meccan judge after settling in the Hejaz region, was the field of fiqh. He shaped the views of the Shafi'i sect, especially with his studies on the Shafi'i sect, to which he is a member. Haytami, known for his fiqh formation, was also intensely interested in hadiths, one of the basic materials of fiqh, and wrote various works. In this context, he made important contributions to hadith sciences, especially hadith fatwas, forty hadiths and commentaries. These works have become influential books that left an impact in the scientific world and on which studies have been conducted both for and against. For this reason, the main purpose of the study is to determine the place of such a scholar in the science of hadith, to investigate his originality in the field of hadith, and to reveal his understanding of hadith as a whole. Depending on this purpose, it was decided that the research would consist of an introduction and three chapters, based on the findings obtained within the scope of Haytami's hadithism. After elaborating on the subject, problem, purpose and sources of the research in the introduction chapter, the characteristics of the period in which Haytami lived and his biography are included in the first chapter. In the context of Haytami's biography, information obtained from classical and modern works about his birth, name, lineage, identity, scientific personality, travels, teachers and students has been conveyed. In the second chapter, Haytami's hadithism was analyzed in depth within the framework of hadith method and sciences. In the following third chapter, Haytami's hadith commentary was determined by focusing primarily on the commentary works he wrote. In this context, his method of understanding and interpreting hadiths and his approach to narrations from fiqh, theology(kalam) and sufism perspectives were examined. While investigating Haytami's place in the science of hadith, examinations were made only by adhering to the criteria of the science of hadith. As a result of the research, it is possible to say that Haytami has a significant knowledge in the field of hadith science. He can examine hadiths from different perspectives, from theological, fiqh and Sufi perspectives. He also emphasizes the importance of the text by stating that in hadith criticism, the isnad and the text should be evaluated separately. However, in practice, it is seen that they have contradictory attitudes due to some sectarian and sociological factors. Namely, due to his commitment to the Ahl al-Sunnah belief, his affiliation to the Shafi'i sect, and his submissive approach towards the idea of Sufism, he has attitudes far from hadithist objectivity. For this reason, it has been determined that he acted mutasahel in distinguishing between authentic, weak and fabricated narrations in his works.