Between Syarah and Ta’liq: A Critical Study of The Methodology and Concistency of al-Suyuthi al-Zahr al-Raba’ ‘Ala al-Mujtaba Karya al-Suyuthi

Abstract

Differences in how hadith scholars evaluate the quality of narrations indicate that the processes of tashih and taḍ'if are closely related to each muhaddith’s critical framework. Al-Hakim al-Naysaburi (321–405 AH), through al-Mustadrak ‘ala al-Sahihayn, is often characterized as tasahul (lenient). However, this characterization requires examination of the relationship between his theoretical criteria and their practical application. This study analyzes al-Hakim’s methodologies of hadith authentication and weakening and examines the consistency of their application in al-Mustadrak. A qualitative approach was employed through content analysis of al-Mustadrak, with Ma’rifat ‘Ulum al-Hadith serving as the primary framework for identifying al-Hakim’s theoretical criteria. The findings indicate that al-Hakim formulated four criteria for hadith authenticity, but only two were consistently reflected in his explicit evaluations, while hundreds of narrations were left without clear assessment. Quantitative evidence from al-Zahabi and Ibn al-Jawzi further indicates the presence of a substantial number of da’if, munkar, and even maudu’ narrations. The study concludes that al-Hakim’s leniency is better understood as a structural gap between his formulated criteria and their practical application, compounded by the unfinished compilation of al-Mustadrak at the time of his death.