Teachings of Torah in Musannaf Ibn Abī Shaybah : A comparison with contemporary Torah

مصنف ابن ابی شیبہ اور تعلیمات توراۃ: معاصر توراۃ سے تقابلی جائزہ

Abstract

This study examines the Ahadith in Imam Abū Bakr ʿAbd Allāh ibn Abī Shaybah’s Al-Musannaf that quote or reference the Torah, offering insights into Muslim scholars’ approaches to studying other religions’ scriptures. The research explores the methodology employed by early Muslim scholars, particularly the Companions and Successors, in engaging with the Torah, assessing the authenticity of these traditions using principles of Hadith sciences. It further compares the teachings quoted in these Ahadith with the contemporary Torah to determine their presence, accuracy, and alignment. This comparative analysis reveals the extent to which the Torah was studied during the early Islamic period and evaluates the reliability of the methods used to transmit these findings. The study highlights the scholarly rigor of Muslim engagement with other religious texts, addressing both Muslim interest in understanding previous scriptures and non-Muslim or critical scholars’ concerns about the authenticity of such references. By focusing on Al-Musannaf, the research underscores the historical and methodological significance of these Ahadith, contributing to the broader discourse on interreligious textual studies and the authenticity of cross-referenced religious narratives in Islamic tradition.