THE SCIENTIFIC JOURNEYS OF THE MUHADDITHS OF MAVARRANAHR AND THE GEOGRAPHY OF THEIR TRAVEL ROUTES

Abstract

This article analyzes the meanings of the word "rihla" in both its lexicographical and hadith-related contexts. In the dictionary, the term "rihla" refers to "seeing, traveling, and riding something." In the context of hadith studies, however, it is used in the phrase "ar-rihla fi talabul-hadis," which means traveling for the purpose of studying hadith, learning about narrators, and receiving narrations from famous hadith scholars. A person who undertakes this journey is called a "rohil," and those who travel extensively are referred to as "rahhol" or "javvol." According to Fuat Sezgin, rihla refers to scholarly travel undertaken with the aim of compiling hadith, meeting important hadith scholars, and acquiring information about hadith. Orientalist Ignaz Goldziher, on the other hand, emphasizes that the rihla in the first three centuries was an activity focused on gathering oral hadiths. This article discusses the role of rihla in the history and development of hadith studies, as well as the geographical aspects of scientific journeys of the hadith scholars of Maveraunnahr during the Samanid and Qarakhanid periods. It also explores the social, cultural, political, and economic factors that contributed to the development of hadith studies in this region.