The Authority of Khabar al-Wāḥid: A Comparative and Analytical Study of the Methodologies of Hadith Scholars and Legal Theorists

Abstract

This article examines the authority of Khabar al-Wāḥid through a comparative and analytical study of the methodologies of Hadith scholars and legal theorists. Khabar al-Wāḥid refers to a report that does not reach the level of tawātur, even if it is transmitted by more than one narrator. The study argues that the debate on Khabar al-Wāḥid is not merely a technical discussion in hadith sciences; rather, it is directly connected with the authority of Sunnah, principles of legal reasoning, and the derivation of Islamic rulings. The article first clarifies the conceptual and terminological background of Khabar al-Wāḥid and then discusses the position of the majority of Muslim scholars regarding its authority in practical legal matters. It highlights that Hadith scholars primarily focus on the authenticity of transmission by examining the continuity of the chain, reliability and precision of narrators, absence of irregularity, and hidden defects. Legal theorists, on the other hand, examine the epistemological value, legal authority, textual implication, possible conflict with other evidences, specification of general texts, restriction of absolute texts, analogy, and practical application of such reports. The study finds that the difference between Hadith scholars and legal theorists is mostly methodological rather than fundamental. Both groups recognize the authority of Sunnah and accept authentic Khabar al-Wāḥid as a valid source of legal guidance, though they differ in emphasis, terminology, and conditions of application. The article concludes that a balanced understanding of Khabar al-Wāḥid requires the integration of hadith criticism, legal theory, and juristic application, as these disciplines collectively preserve the authenticity, meaning, and practical relevance of Prophetic traditions.