PHIL 1003 Hadith: The Prophetic Tradition (WSTC)

This is an archived copy of the 2021-2022 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit https://hbook.westernsydney.edu.au.

Credit Points 10

Legacy Code 700161

Coordinator Kathy Gooch Opens in new window

Description Islam is a way of life which is governed by the Qur'an, the Muslim principal source of guidance. However, while the Qur'an is the foundation of authority in Islam, it provides few legal injunctions. Hadith (the saying, deeds and actions of Prophet Muhammad) forms the basis for the details of Islamic law and for many tenets of Islamic creed. This unit introduces students to the second most fundamental source of Islam, Hadith. It aims to familiarise students with the origins of the Hadith, its overall structure, content and importantly, its function in Muslim living and to assist them in understanding contemporary issues and debates surrounding Islam.

School Humanities & Comm Arts

Discipline Religious Studies

Student Contribution Band HECS Band 4 10cp

Check your HECS Band contribution amount via the Fees page.

Level Undergraduate Level 1 subject

Equivalent Subjects PHIL 1002 - Hadith The Prophetic Tradition

Restrictions Students must be enrolled at Western Sydney University, The College. Students enrolled in Extended Diplomas must pass 40 credit points from the preparatory subjects listed in the program structure prior to enrolling in this University level subject.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:
  1. After successful completion of this Unit, students will be able to:
  2. Demonstrate comprehension of the Prophetic Tradition ? Hadith.
  3. Identify key issues and concepts in the literature.
  4. Analyse scholarly debates surrounding the Hadith.
  5. Examine the origins and development of Hadith.
  6. Discuss the terms Isnad and Matn and their place in understanding of the Hadith.
  7. Assess the similarities and differences between the six canonical collections of Hadith.
  8. Explore the relevance and importance of Hadith in Muslim everyday living.

Subject Content

1. What is Hadith? The Meaning.
2. Defining Sunnah.
3. The use of the word Hadith and its relation to Sunnah.
4. The genesis and development of Hadith.
5. The historical value of Hadith.
6. Collection, classification, categorisation, standardisation and compilation of Hadith.
7. The six canonical collections of Hadith.
8. The relationship between Qur'an and Hadith.
9. Hadith as a source of morals, ethics, doctrine and law.
10. The function of Hadith in Islamic law and theology.
11. The orientalists and the criticism of Hadith.
12. Hadith and Muslim everyday living.
13. Hadith and modernity.

Assessment

The following table summarises the standard assessment tasks for this subject. Please note this is a guide only. Assessment tasks are regularly updated, where there is a difference your Learning Guide takes precedence.

Item Length Percent Threshold Individual/Group Task
Two in-class tests 500 words 20 N Individual
Reflective Journal 1,250 words 40 N Individual
Research paper 1,250 words 40 N Individual

Prescribed Texts

  • Kamali, Mohammad Hashim 2009 A Textbook of Hadith Studies: Authenticity, Compilation, Classification and Criticism of Hadith, London: The Islamic Foundation.

Teaching Periods

Structures that include subject