Muʿjam al-Aḥādīth al-Muʿtabara

By: Shaykh Muḥammad Āṣif al-Muḥsinī

Translator: Ammaar Muslim

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"Mu'jam al-Ahadith al-Mu'tabara" by Shaykh Mohseni is a monumental work which fills a significant gap in the realm of Hadith studies. The aim of this comprehensive compilation is to provide people with a dependable resource, countering the long-standing misconception about the perceived insufficiencies in the body of Hadith possessed by the Shia. As such, this project marks a pivotal contribution to the field, providing someone with access to reliable, authentic material. The book showcases Shaykh Mohseni's ambition to assemble a collection of Mu’tabar (reliable) Hadith, thus facilitating the work of jurists, researchers, lecturers, and any layperson interested in gaining knowledge. Despite his busy schedule, Shaykh Mohseni committed himself to this colossal task, motivated by a desire to preserve and make accessible the authentic teachings of the Shia faith. In creating this work, Shaykh Mohseni was guided by a set of principles. First, the Hadith should have a reliable chain and not contradict the Qur’an, the established Sunnah, the intellect, or basic common sense. Second, while the book aims to be comprehensive, it may not include all narrations with Mu’tabar chains. However, it does provide an overwhelming majority of Mu’tabar narrations. While some narrations with weak chains may have originated from the Imams, they are not included in the book due to their lack of Hujiyyah (probative force). Furthermore, he emphasizes that not every narration with a reliable chain necessarily originates from the infallible in reality. Shaykh Mohseni's stringent criteria and rigorous application make this work an invaluable resource for Hadith studies. While some scholars may differ over his judgments, the work aims to provide a universally acceptable core of irreproachable narrations, with the potential to serve as a basis for consensus among scholars and researchers. In summary, "Mu'jam al-Ahadith al-Mu'tabara" is a milestone in Hadith studies, providing a reliable reference point for those interested in authentic Shia narrations. Its meticulous assembly and rigorous criteria set it apart as a work of significant value and authority.