FROM ISNAD TO ALGORITHM: EPISTEMOLOGICAL SHIFTS IN DIGITAL HADITH AUTHENTICATION
Abstract
The rapid digitization of Islamic textual heritage and the integration of artificial intelligence into religious scholarship have introduced algorithmic models into the field of hadith authentication, traditionally grounded in isn?d-based epistemology. This development raises critical questions regarding shifts in criteria of authenticity, authority, and knowledge validation. This study aims to examine the epistemological transformation from classical isn?d-centered verification to algorithm-driven authentication systems and to assess the extent of convergence and divergence between the two paradigms. A qualitative–comparative research design was employed, integrating hermeneutic analysis of classical hadith methodological treatises with computational network analysis of 12,418 digitized hadith reports. Statistical correlation tests and regression analysis were conducted to evaluate alignment between classical classifications and algorithmic authenticity scores, complemented by expert interviews. Findings reveal a moderate positive correlation (r = 0.61, p < 0.001) between classical reliability judgments and algorithmic outputs in structurally dense transmission networks. Divergence appears in cases where qualitative criteria such as narrator integrity and contextual evaluation outweigh structural multiplicity. Algorithmic systems prioritize probabilistic inference and network centrality, while classical methodology integrates ethical and interpretive dimensions. Transition from isn?d to algorithm represents an epistemological reconfiguration rather than a mere technical enhancement, necessitating integrative frameworks that preserve normative depth while engaging digital innovation.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Rahman Rahman, Syafiq Amir, Haziq Idris, Olivia Davis
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