Sheikh Khaled El-Gendy, a member of Egypt's Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, emphasized that Hadith terminology (Mustalah al-Hadith) is one of the most important supporting sciences in Islam, serving as the foundation for understanding and verifying the Prophet Muhammad's ﷺ traditions.

What Are Supporting Sciences?

El-Gendy explained that academic disciplines include both primary sciences and supporting sciences, which exist to serve core fields of knowledge, especially Islamic studies.

He noted that Hadith terminology is one of the most essential supporting sciences because it distinguishes authentic narrations from weak ones.

The Importance of Hadith Terminology

According to El-Gendy, this discipline is indispensable for many branches of Islamic scholarship, including:

• Islamic jurisprudence (Fiqh).
• Principles of jurisprudence (Usul al-Fiqh).
• Fatwa issuance.
• Islamic preaching.
• Religious writing and research.

He stressed that weakening confidence in Hadith studies would negatively affect the entire structure of Islamic scholarship.

The Role of Usul al-Fiqh and Arabic Language

El-Gendy also described Usul al-Fiqh as another supporting science that provides the methodology for deriving Islamic rulings.

He further highlighted the importance of Arabic linguistic sciences such as grammar, morphology, and rhetoric, as they enable scholars to understand the Qur'an and the Sunnah accurately.

Arabic: The Language of Revelation

El-Gendy explained that Arabic holds a unique position because it is the language through which the Qur'an was revealed and the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ received the divine message.

While languages naturally evolve over time and vary across regions, Classical Arabic has remained preserved through the Qur'an.

The Qur'an and the Preservation of Arabic

He concluded that the Qur'an has played a central role in preserving Classical Arabic, as its wording is fixed and cannot be altered, making it the enduring linguistic reference for generations of Muslims.

What is Hadith terminology?

It is the science that evaluates and classifies Hadiths according to their authenticity.

Why is Hadith terminology important?

It preserves the authenticity of the Prophet's traditions and supports Islamic legal rulings.

What are supporting sciences?

They are disciplines that help scholars understand and apply the core sciences of Islam.

Why is Arabic important in Islamic studies?

Because it is the language of the Qur'an and the Sunnah, making it essential for accurate interpretation.

How has the Qur'an preserved Arabic?

Its fixed and unchanged wording has protected Classical Arabic throughout history.