Metodologi Kritik Sanad, Matan, dan Rawi: Implementasi dalam Menguji Kualitas Hadis Shahih, Hasan, dan Dhaif

This article examines the methodology of Sanad (chain of transmission), Matan (text), and Rawi (narrator) criticism as a scientific instrument in determining the quality of a Hadith, whether categorized as Sahih (authentic), Hasan (good), or Dhaif (weak). As the second primary source of Islamic teachings after the Qur'an, Hadith requires strict verification to ensure its authenticity and protect it from transmission errors or fabrications (Mawdhu'). Utilizing library research methods and a descriptive-analytical approach, this study explains that Hadith criticism does not aim to demean narrations, but rather serves as an objective examination of the continuity of the transmission chain (ittishal al-sanad), the integrity ('adalah), and precision (dhabt) of the narrators through the disciplines of Rijal al-Hadith and Jarh wa Ta'dil. Furthermore, Matan criticism is conducted by gathering thematic narrations, comparing textual variations, analyzing language, and examining their compatibility with the Qur'an, stronger Hadiths, and historical contexts (asbab al-wurud) to ensure the text is free from hidden defects ('illah) and anomalies (syadz). The findings indicate that establishing the quality of a Hadith must go through systematic stages ranging from takhrij, i'tibar, and narrator-chain criticism, to text criticism in an integrated manner