Hadith criticism in the context of Muhammad Zakariyya Kandahlawi's Awjaz al-Masalik Ila Muwatta Malik

ABSTRACT HADİTH CRİTİCİSM İN THE CONTEXT OF MUHAMMAD ZAKARİYYA KANDAHLAWİ'S AWJAZ AL-MASALİK İLA MUWATTA MALİK Muhammed Cuma VAHİD Doctoral Thesis, Department of Basic Islamic Sciences Advisor: Prof. Dr. Muhammet YILMAZ November 2025, 231 pages This study offers an analytical examination of the hadith–critical methodology employed by Muhammad Zakariyya Kandhlawiin his extensive commentary on Imam Mâlik's al-Muvattaʾ, entitled Awjaz al-Masalik ila Muvattaʾ al-Imam Mâlik. The seventeen-volume work has been thoroughly reviewed to identify Kandhlawi's critical remarks on hadith, which have then been systematically analyzed on the basis of his own evaluations and methodological preferences. Special attention has been given to the lengthy introduction of Awjaz al-Masalik, which contains numerous innovative discussions related to the principles of hadith scholarship. This introductory section demonstrates the author's distinctive theoretical contributions and reveals an advanced level of critical engagement, to the extent that it may be considered an independent scholarly unit rather than a conventional preface. The research focuses on Kandhlawi's method of critikue, his approach to evaluating individual hadiths, and his engagement with the views of earlier hadith authorities. The study is deliberately limited to hadith-related criticisms; juristic or linguistic discussions fall outside its scope in order to maintain a focused investigation into Kandhlawi's contributions to hadith studies. In conclusion, Awjaz al-Masalik is shown to be not merely a commentary on al-Muwattaʾ, but a substantial scholarly contribution to the science of hadith, reflecting both a rich theoretical framework and a rigorous critical stance. Keywords: Hadith, Criticism, Commentary, Kandehlawi, Awjaz al-Masalik, al-Muwattaʾ.