A doctoral dissertation was defended at the Department of Quranic Sciences and Islamic Education, College of Education for Humanities, University of Tikrit, on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, by the student Sajir Mahdi Salih Ma‘joon, entitled “The Differences Between Imam Abu Hatim Al-Razi (d. 277 AH) and Imam Abu Zur‘ah Al-Razi (d. 264 AH) Regarding Hidden Defects in Hadith Narrations: A Study Based on Kitab Al-‘Ilal by Abu Hatim Al-Razi.”
The dissertation examines the scholarly differences between two of the most prominent hadith critics, Imam Abu Hatim Al-Razi and Imam Abu Zur‘ah Al-Razi, concerning the identification and evaluation of hidden defects (‘ilal) in hadith narrations. Drawing upon Kitab Al-‘Ilal by Abu Hatim Al-Razi, the study explores their critical methodologies, analytical approaches, and judgments regarding narrators and chains of transmission. The research contributes to a deeper understanding of the science of hadith criticism and highlights the intellectual rigor employed by classical Muslim scholars in assessing the authenticity of prophetic traditions.
The examination committee consisted of the following faculty members:
- Prof. Dr. Khalid Hamadah Salih – University of Tikrit, College of Education for Humanities – Chairperson.
- Prof. Dr. Ghazi Nayef Hameed – University of Tikrit, College of Islamic Sciences – Member.
- Prof. Dr. Muthanna Ahmed Waka‘ – University of Tikrit, College of Education for Humanities – Member.
- Asst. Prof. Dr. Omar Dhamin Abbas – University of Tikrit, College of Education for Humanities – Member.
- Asst. Prof. Dr. Mustafa Mohammed Abdullah – Iraqi University, College of Education – Member.
- Prof. Dr. Mahmoud Hussein Atiyah – University of Tikrit, College of Education Al-Tuz – Member and Supervisor.
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College of Education for Humanities – University of Tikrit
