Language, Knowledge, and the Sacred: Al-Bukhārī’s Philosophical and Linguistic Journey in Ḥadīth Compilation

Abstract

The distinct geographical locations of the Companions of the Prophet Muḥammad after his death necessitated travelling for the acquisition of knowledge, in particular ḥadīth, which became a major topos among early Muslim scholars. Muḥammad b. Ismā‘īl al-Bukhārī (256/810) played a key role in recording the ḥadīth of the Prophet Muḥammad, culminating in his magnum opus, al-Jāmi‘ al-Ṣaḥīḥ. This work profoundly impacted the ḥadīth tradition and the genesis of its sciences. Beyond the empirical quest for authentic traditions, Al-Bukhārī's work can be interpreted through the prisms of linguistics and epistemology, which shaped his methodological approach to knowledge transmission. This paper explores Al-Bukhārī's journeys not only as physical travels but as intellectual and philosophical voyages, emphasizing the interplay between linguistic precision and philosophical inquiry in the authentication and preservation of sacred texts.