Status of Wisdom in Validation of Ahadith based on the Viewpoint of Ayatollah Sobhani

Criticism of Ahadith as a method to recognition of soundness or unsoundness of Ahadith and scope of rational understanding have invariably been a matter of dispute among scholars of Hadith, and thus a variety of view have been ventured. Ayatollah Sobhani, the contemporary jurist and theologian, has employed this method, along with other avenues to analyze Ahadith and recognize forged ones, in his book entitled “al-Hadith al-Nabavi Bayn al-Revayah Va al-Derayah”. Studying this book and other works of Ayatollah Sobhani, this article seeks to explain his view concerning rationality, validity and scope of understanding, limitations of intellect, and finally the degree of its function in recognition of forged Ahadith. Presenting objective instances, the paper intends to present an analysis of the functions of intellect as a source and means for assessment of Ahadith according to Ayatollah Sobhani, and explain the degree of functionality of intellect in recognition of forged Ahadith.