Absolute and Relative Singularity According to the Hadith Scholars

Abstract

This study addresses the concept of “absolute and relative singularity” (tafarrud)" in Hadith science, focusing on its definition, applications, and impact on rulings of authenticity and acceptance. It demonstrates that singularity is not inherently a defect, but rather a flexible critical tool used by early Hadith critics, based on the narrator’s precision, the soundness of the text, and the presence of supporting evidence. The research distinguishes between "absolute singularity", which is confined to a single authentic chain, and "relative singularity", which occurs in wording, an addition, or narration from a specific teacher. Through practical examples from the *Sunan* and the statements of scholars such as al-Bukhārī, Ibn Abī Ḥātim, and Aḥmad, the study concludes that accepting or rejecting singularity is conditional upon context and corroborating factors, not on singularity itself, thereby highlighting the precision of Hadith criticism.