CRITICISM OF THE SUSPICIONS OF THE ORIENTALIST ALPHONSE MINGANA ABOUT SAHIH AL-BUKHARI

Abstract

This research presents a critical study of the doubts raised by the orientalist Alphonse Mingana regarding Sahih al-Bukhari. Mingana published a copy of Sahih al-Bukhari in 1936 at the University of Cambridge, accompanied by a brief study in which he cast doubt on the attribution of Al-Jami‘ al-Sahih to Imam al-Bukhari. This study examines the suspicions he raised about Sahih al-Bukhari, refutes them, and explains the methodology of Hadith scholars in verifying and transmitting prophetic texts. It also provides an introduction to the orientalist Mingana and a list of his works.

The significance of this research lies in the stature of Imam al-Bukhari as one of the leading scholars of Islam, and in the status of his Sahih, which is regarded as the most authentic book among Muslims after the Holy Qur’an. Casting doubt on it constitutes an attack on one of the greatest sources of Islamic legislation throughout history.

In conclusion, the study presents the key findings and recommendations aimed at advancing Hadith studies in relation to Orientalist research and highlighting the methodological flaws within such studies.