History of Dirāyat al-Hadith in Shiʿa based on the Works of Shaykh Ṣadūq

Until the 7th century, there has been no independent written work on Dirāyat al-Hadith (comprehension of the hadith) in Shiʿa. Still, the use of the technical terms related to the science of hadith and Dirāyah by earlier Shiite scholars is a major source for identifying the usage of this science in Shiʿa; an issue that has not been fully examined by researchers yet. So, by adopting a descriptive-analytical method, this study aims to show the application of a group of narrative expressions in the fourth century. The results suggest that some of the hadith terms have been used in the Shiite traditionists' works years before their official compilation and today's definitions of most of them are in conformity with their usages by earlier scholars. Also, in some cases, different uses of a term by earlier scholars have appeared in the form of its multiple meanings in the later scholars' works. However, regarding the hadith terms, there are differences between the earlier and later scholars that are due to their different views towards traditional discussions, as well as the validation and development of Dirāyat al-Hadith.