A CRITICAL EXAMINATION OF AMTHAL AHADITH IN SAHIH BUKHARI: EXPLORING INDIVIDUAL AND SOCIAL ISSUES IN THE CONTEMPORARY CONTEXT

Abstract

This paper critically examines the Amthal Ahadith (proverbial sayings of the Prophet Muhammad) in Sahih Bukhari, one of the most authoritative and widely recognized collections of Hadith in Islamic tradition. The study aims to explore how these proverbial sayings address both individual and social issues, and how their timeless teachings can be applied to contemporary challenges. In this paper, an attempt has been made to bridge the gap between the classical Islamic teachings and the need of the modern society through a detailed analysis of the thematic content, linguistic structure, and contextual relevance of these Ahadith. It employs a qualitative methodology of the textual analysis of Ahadiths combined with contemporary case studies to display the relevance of them for time and place in morality, justice, the community cohesion, and personal development issues. These Amthal Ahadith are known for their use of metaphors, similes, and analogies, which not only characterize, but also enhance the mental as well as the emotional impact of the statements. They are saying that these phrases encapsulate profound wisdom in a crpt concise manner and guide on ethical behavior, spiritual growth, social responsibility, and relationships. Through a study of these Ahadith, it shows that these Ahadith can be a source of a solution to our modern day problems like moral decay, social injustice, and the disappearance of the community values. What the findings show is that the Amthal Ahadith contain timeless principles that can help us people as well as societies in dealing with the challenges of modern life, ensuring ethical behaviour, social harmony, and spiritual well being. The paper also stresses the need to contextualize classical Islamic teachings, particularly in order to deliver them in a manner that addresses the modern era’s challenges. The argument is that the Amthal Ahadith are not just religious or historical texts, they are still living sources of wisdom that can trigger positive change in people’s individual lives and in structures of society across the world. The study argues that it is possible to build a more just, cohesive and a more morally grounded society by integrating these teachings in modern frameworks. Lastly, this research emphasises how the Amthal Ahadith remain relevant to existing concerns and how they can be applied to the present-day. The study recommends reorienting towards classical Islamic texts as a resource for answering contemporary moral, social and spiritual challenges in the modern world. By bridging the gap between tradition and modernity, this paper contributes to a deeper understanding of how Islamic teachings can continue to inspire and guide humanity in the 21st century.

Keywords: Amthal Ahadith, Sahih Bukhari, Islamic Teachings, Contemporary Issues, Social Justice, Morality, Hadith Studies.