Methodology of Islamic Studies in The East and in The West: A Comparative Review on The Study of Hadith

Discourse on Islam and hadith seems to always attract the attention of many people, both Muslims and non-Muslims. It is proven until now, studies of hadith both concerning the criticism of its authenticity, as well as the methodology of its understanding continue to grow. The hadith of the Prophet, or often referred to the Sunnah of the Prophet, does not only attract the attention of Muslims and Muslim scientists to study and understand more about it. A number of Western scholars (non-Muslims) are also seen to have serious concerns on this issue. They are studying many of the Prophet's hadiths, especially regarding its authenticity. They have long been interested in Islamic studies, hadiths and writing texts of hadith, they focus on the main (text) of the hadith material, and the sanad (narrator of hadith), this approach they call the study of analysis of sanad (isnad-analytical study)