Competence Impact on Preponderance of Opinion Difference from Al-A'mash: A Study of Select Models from Imam Al-Daraqutni’s Book Al-'Ilal

Abstract

This study aims to explore Imam Al-Daraqutni’s Al-Ilal, one of the key Prophetic Hadith and biography books replete with valuable Sunnah insights and 'Ilal (hidden defects), especially in terms of contextual evident indication, emphasizing their great importance. The study’s main objective is to examine narrators competence connection with some of their prominent scholars, and the subsequent impact on the narrator’s stories, their accuracy identification and how to sustain such evident connection. The inductive and investigative approach was followed in the study, whereby each Hadith was categorized. Imam Al-Daraqutni’s complete text was presented, then opinion difference points were identified and examined and the concluded preponderance. The book texts were duly documented, and extracts from Imam Al-A'mash’s opinions were provided. The Hadiths referencing, documentation and verification was employed, assessing each Hadith authenticity and ruling.. The study concluded with some important findings and recommendations. It revealed that Imam Al-Daraqutni’s textbook enjoyed preponderance of opinion based on multiple evident connections, highlighting opinions which significantly differ from those of the narrator. The study underscored the importance of authority and competence indication and connection and the way it was used by Al-Daraqutni.