Critical and Analytical Study of Riwayat bil Ma‘na in the Texts of the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah

غزوۂ حدیبیہ کے متون میں روایت بالمعنیٰ کا تحقیقی و تجزیاتی جائزہ

Abstract

Hadith, as the second principal source of Islamic law, has always held a central place in shaping Islamic thought and jurisprudence. One of the long-standing debates among scholars of Hadith is the legitimacy of narration by meaning (Riwayat bil Ma‘na) as opposed to verbatim narration (Riwayat bil Lafz). While many traditional scholars permitted narration by meaning under strict conditions, others opposed it, fearing distortion of the Prophet’s exact words. The incident of the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah provides an important case study for analyzing the application of Riwayat bil Ma‘na in historical and textual traditions. This paper examines the narrations related to the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah as recorded in different Hadith compilations and historical sources, with a particular focus on the variations in wording that reflect narration by meaning. It also highlights how early Muslim scholars assessed these variations, and what methodological principles they applied to ensure authenticity and prevent fabrication. Furthermore, the study addresses contemporary debates where modernist, progressivist, and orientalist critiques have questioned the reliability of Hadith transmission, often linking such variations to doubts about authenticity. By analyzing the narrations surrounding the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah, this research aims to demonstrate that Riwayat bil Ma‘na, when practiced within scholarly parameters, does not compromise the essence or authenticity of Hadith. Instead, it reflects the flexibility of Hadith transmission in preserving meanings while ensuring that the Prophetic Sunnah remains a reliable source of guidance.