The evaluation of orientalist scholars' ideas regarding single-stranded isnads

This dissertation investigates and describes the concept of single stranded isnads within the orientalist paradigm. To begin with, it examines the socio-cultural background of Islamic studies in the West since 1500s as it is pertinent to understand the motivation for hadith studies in Western academy. After that, orientalist scholars studying hadith science are classified according to their approaches to isnads. Then, the issue of tafarrud in the first two centuries of hijrah is discussed and in relation to this, Joseph Schacht's ideas about khabar al-vahid and tafarrud are evaluated. Besides, his common link theory is depicted mostly in relation to single strands. In the Second Chapter, the issue of single stranded isnads is discussed within the frame of G. H. A. Juynboll's theories, his method in hadith studies and the evaluations of other orientalist scholars on the subject. At this point, it is aimed to lay emphasis on the effort within the scope of orientalist paradigm to convert the content of the usul al-hadith terminology both by defining them in new words and attributing them new meanings. Finally, the study analyzes to what extent Juynboll's theories are scientific on the basis of an example chosen from his prominent work Encyclopedia of Canonical Hadith.