Al-Kulaynis Approach in Selecting the Hadīths of al-Kāfī

The book al-Kāfī is one of the most significant Shiite Hadīth collections. Throughout the history, the Shiʻas have always regarded the book as a corpus including the authentic narrations of Imam Bāqir and Imam Ṣādiq. Accordingly, it is worth studying the causes creating such exalted status. Undoubtedly, one of the causes for its sublimity is the method applied by its author, Muhammad b. Yaʼqūb al-Kulaynī in selecting and collecting the Hadiths in the book. The present study aims at introducing the method and criteria of al-Kulaynī for considering the Hadiths as worthy and thus inserting in his collection by reviewing some of sample Hadiths reflected in the book and referring to recent views expressed by some scholars. Also, we will discuss the extent to which these measures have remained in effect by al-Kulaynī and will identify the strength and weakness of each of the criteria.