The Method of Kitābah in Hadith Transmission
This study examines kitābah, one of the methods of receiving and transmitting
hadith, with particular reference to its historical development,
conceptual framework, position within hadith methodology, and practical
application in the Kutub al-Sittah. Kitābah refers to the transmission
of hadith through written material prepared or dictated by a teacher
and delivered to a student either present or geographically distant. The
study first traces the historical development of the concepts of kitābah
and mukātabah, beginning with the Prophet Muhammad’s letters and
continuing through scholarly correspondence during the periods of the
Companions and Successors. It also evaluates the relationship between
kitābah and other methods of hadith transmission, including samāʿ,
qirāʾah, ijāzah, and munāwalah. Particular attention is given to questions
of continuity of transmission, authenticity, forms of authorized and
non-explicitly authorized kitābah, and terminology used in transmission
chains. The practical section analyses reports transmitted through
kitābah in the Kutub al-Sittah by comparing their corroborating and
parallel transmission routes. The study identifies 36 transmitters who
employed kitābah, with 56 unique reports and 89 transmissions including
repetitions. The findings demonstrate that kitābah functioned as a
recognized and reliable means of hadith transmission, enabling scholarly
communication across geographical distances while establishing
legally and methodologically recognized continuity between transmitters.
Keywords: Hadith; Kitābah; Transmission and Reception; Kutub al-Sittah;
Hadith Transmission