Marife Dini Araştırmalar Dergisi

Abstract

An Evaluation of H. Motzki’s Response about G.H.A. Juynboll’s Claims on Nafi Juynboll is one of the most well-known orientalists of the last centuries. His claims on hadith history and the dating of traditions have been criticized by both Muslim scholars as well as Western researchers. Juynboll’s article on Ibn Omar’s mewla Nafi, his personality and his in- fluence on hadith traditions has been analyzed and criticized by Harald Motzki. The current article aims to discuss Juynboll’s claims and Motzki’s relevant critiques. Thus, Nafi’s real per- sonality will be portrayed by analyzing the hadith on fitrah. In this paper, Juynboll’s claims which are contained in the relevant article and Motki’s criticisms about his claims will be evaluated specifically to the fıtrah hadith which is analysed by these two scholars. Nafi’s real personality will be described and some considerations thereof will be presented. Some short- comings of the isnad table of the Fıtrah hadith which is diagrammed by Juynboll have been completed by Motzki. Nevertheless some tariqs (strands) were forgotten. Thus, the isnad ta- bles of this hadith will be added at the end of this paper