{"id":11667,"date":"2026-10-05T13:58:01","date_gmt":"2026-10-05T10:28:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mirhamedhosein.com\/?p=11667"},"modified":"2026-10-05T14:02:29","modified_gmt":"2026-10-05T10:32:29","slug":"article-a-critique-and-review-of-the-critical-edition-of-hadith-ali-maa-al-haqq-from-abaqat-al-anwar-critical-editing-and-research-or-corruption-and-distortion","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mirhamedhosein.com\/en\/article-a-critique-and-review-of-the-critical-edition-of-hadith-ali-maa-al-haqq-from-abaqat-al-anwar-critical-editing-and-research-or-corruption-and-distortion\/","title":{"rendered":"Article: A Critique and Review of the Critical Edition of \u201cHadith Ali ma\u2018a al-Haqq\u201d from Abaqat al-Anwar: Critical Editing and Research, or Corruption and Distortion?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Article: A Critique and Review of the Critical Edition of \u201cHadith Ali ma\u2018a al-Haqq\u201d from Abaqat al-Anwar<\/em>: Critical Editing and Research, or Corruption and Distortion?<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Publication Details:<\/strong> Ayeneh-ye Pazhuhesh<\/em>, a scholarly-specialized bimonthly journal, Year 35, No. 6 (consecutive issue 210), January 20\u2013March 20, 2025, pp. 283\u2013314.<\/p>\n

Abstract:<\/strong> \u201cHadith Ali ma\u2018a al-Haqq,\u201d from the Abaqat al-Anwar<\/em> encyclopedia, is an incomplete manuscript section that became available to researchers in recent years. This section consists of a collection of unorganized research slips and rough notes, most of which were written by copyists unfamiliar with the relevant vocabulary and terminology; consequently, what has survived is a disordered text containing numerous errors. Recently, a portion of these notes that possesses greater order and continuity was selected by an institute in Qom and published with grand claims of \u201ccritical editing, research, and annotation\u201d and described as \u201ca rarely matched scholarly investigation.\u201d An examination of the work, however, shows that the printed text is not only selective, but also suffers from distortion, textual corruption, and serious irregularities in the reading of the manuscript, while the requirement of fidelity in presenting the manuscript has been treated with considerable laxity. Moreover, negligence in collation and editing, typographical errors, and haste in publication have damaged this distinguished work and weakened its content. A re-examination of this incomplete and error-ridden edition undermines confidence in the printed text and demonstrates the necessity of preparing a new critical edition.<\/p>\n

Preserving and safeguarding the written heritage of earlier generations\u2014particularly works directly connected with the theological and religious identity of Shi\u2018ism\u2014is a grave and undeniable responsibility. Foremost among this heritage stands the noble work Abaqat al-Anwar fi Imamat al-A\u2019immat al-Athar<\/em>, the enduring masterpiece of the devoted scholar Allamah Mir Hamed Hussain Lakhnawi (May Allah sanctify his soul), composed as a critique and refutation of the seventh chapter of Dehlavi\u2019s Tuhfat al-Ithna \u2018Ashariyya<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Background of the \u201cHadith Ali ma\u2018a al-Haqq\u201d Section in Abaqat<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

The writing of all the volumes of Abaqat al-Anwar<\/em> was not completed during the author\u2019s lifetime, and some volumes remained only in the form of handwritten materials, drafts, and the author\u2019s notes. The section on \u201cHadith Ali ma\u2018a al-Haqq\u201d is among these manuscript portions and remained for many years in obscurity among scattered papers and notebooks of the Nasiriyya Library in Lucknow and the photographic copies preserved at Astan Quds Razavi.<\/p>\n

Critical editing of such notes, due to scribal spelling errors and Indian orthographic conventions, requires a precise methodology, a thorough command of the author\u2019s system of references, and particular skill in contextual reading in order to prevent any distortion or scholarly error. Unfortunately, the hasty publication of this section by an institute resulted in the release of an incomplete work filled with textual distortions and corrupt readings.<\/p>\n

Factors Contributing to the Corruption and Distortion of the Text in the Recent Edition<\/strong><\/p>\n

Through a comparative examination of the printed edition against the base manuscript\u2014no. 24924 in the Astan Quds Razavi Library\u2014and against reference sources, the author of the article has documented the principal defects of this edition under the following headings:<\/p>\n