The Problem of Overpraise in the Hadith Tradition: A Case Study of Two Widely Circulated Narrations about Aisha

Abstract

This study examines some narrations about Aisha (RA) that include too much praise and are often linked to the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). These narrations are shared today in books, websites, and social media. The aim is to check these narrations using traditional hadith science rules to see if they are reliable. First, main hadith books were studied. Then, the study looked for the first sources where these narrations appeared. After that, each narration was checked by looking at its chain of narrators (isnad) and the meaning of the text (matn). The results show that most of these reports have weak or broken chains, and their messages do not match the Qur'an or the correct Sunnah. The study also shows that many of these stories may come from political, sectarian, or emotional reasons, not from true Islamic teachings. To help show the difference, the study also includes real and trusted hadiths about Aisha (RA). In this way, the study reminds readers to be careful when they see popular religious sayings that may not be true.

Highlights

• The study approaches hadiths from a critical perspective
• The chains of transmission (isnads) of the hadiths are examined.
• The research emphasizes the need for caution when forming religious discourse.
• The study highlights Aisha’s role as a critical scholar in Islamic tradition
• Classical sources are analyzed using traditional hadith criticism methods.