KAIDAH SANAD HADIS

Isnad is one of the fundamental pillars in the science of Hadith, serving as a system to verify and trace the authenticity of Hadith narrations from the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). This article aims to explain the definition, function, and main principles of isnad al-hadith as the basis for assessing the validity of a narration. Terminologically, isnad refers to the process of linking a Hadith to its original source through a chain of transmitters (sanad). Through this system, Hadith scholars are able to evaluate the honesty, integrity, and accuracy of the narrators and determine whether the transmission chain is continuous or interrupted. This study discusses five fundamental principles in the critique of sanad: ittisal al-isnad (continuity of the chain), justice (‘adalah) of the narrators, dhabit (precision of memorization), freedom from syadz (irregularities), and absence of ‘illat (hidden defects). These five principles serve as benchmarks for determining the quality of a Hadith, whether it is classified as sahih (authentic), hasan (good), or daif (weak). The results of this study show that isnad functions not only as a scientific mechanism in Hadith transmission but also as a unique feature of the Muslim community in preserving the purity of the Prophet’s teachings. Therefore, understanding the principles of isnad is crucial in maintaining the authenticity of Hadith as a source of Islamic law and moral guidance for Muslims. Keywords: Isnad, Sanad, Hadith, Isnad Principles, Sanad Criticism