Metodologi Muslim Bin Al-Hajjāj Dalam Kritik Perawi: Kajian Terhadap Muqaddimah Sahīh Muslim/ Methodology Of Muslim Bin Al-Hajjāj In Criticizing Narrators: A Study Of The Muqaddimah Sahīh Muslim

The science of narrator criticism, or al-jarh wa al-ta’dīl, is one of the essential branches of hadith studies. One of the primary works discussing the principles of this science is Muqaddimah Sahīh Muslim by Muslim bin al-Hajjāj, which has traditionally been regarded as a key reference in understanding narrator criticism. However, questions remain regarding the methodology used by Muslim bin al-Hajjāj in evaluating narrators and how it was applied in the context of narrator criticism. Therefore, this study aims to analyze Muslim bin al-Hajjāj’s methodology in Muqaddimah Sahīh Muslim and assess how his approach influenced the evaluation of narrators’ integrity and accuracy. This study uses a qualitative methodology with a document analysis approach for data collection and content analysis as the main method. The study’s findings indicate that Muslim bin al-Hajjāj’s methodology in Muqaddimah Sahīh Muslim is systematic and detailed, with a particular emphasis on the narrators' integrity (‘adālah) and memory precision (dhabt). He also emphasized the discussion on poor narrator practices, such as failing to screen hadith narrations. The implications of this study provide clearer guidance in understanding the methodology of narrator criticism and contribute to new literature in contemporary hadith studies.