Write a detailed account of the two components of Hadiths: • chain of transmission (isnad) and • text (matn)

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (May/June 2021). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1. [10] (a) Each Hadith is made up of two major components: isnad and matn. Both these parts are of importance and studied by Hadith compilers when establishing the genuineness of a Hadith. The first part of a Hadith consists of the chain of names through which it has been received, which is called sanad. The chain can have a few names or a long list. In some cases Hadiths were narrated from one generation to another. In which case the compiler had to examine the line of transmission very carefully. Specific rules were developed to check the authenticity of the Hadiths that were transmitted. Rules to check isnad: The line of narrator had to be checked to see that it went back to the Prophet (pbuh). The narrator had to be known for his piety, sound memory, integrity etc. The fewer the narrators in a chain the stronger the Hadith was, as there was less chance of misinterpretation. The sciences of Ilm ul Hadith was developed to scrutinise the narrators and their teachers in detail. An account of what stipulations were set by early compilers to rate a Hadith as valid or trustworthy on the basis of its matn should be given in the second part of the answer. Here rules of checking matn need to be given by the candidate. Rules to check matn: The matn had to be consistent with the Qur'an. It had to be in agreement with accepted facts. It should not contradict accepted Hadiths. It should not be against common sense or logic. It should not praise a particular tribe or place. A hadith that went against the Prophet or his family was also rejected. It is the matn of a Hadith which distinguishes Hadith Qudsi from Hadith Nabawi and could be written about which should be read as development of the answer.
2. [4] (b) An evaluative response is being looked for, the candidates could vary in their responses by either saying that both parts were equally important, or they could say either one was more important than the other. However they choose to answer this question, they must back their choice with reasons. If they say matn is more important they could support this by saying that in a weak Hadith the chain of transmission may have gaps but the message is an important one which is conveyed by the text. Such Hadiths are useful in matters of moral guidance. In legal matters Hadiths will need to have a strong isnad and matn on account of the seriousness of the decision.