A Shiʿi Lebanese reading of Sunni Hadith: progress, inclusivity, and an empowered contestation of narratives

This article assesses a Shi‘i-Lebanese debate over Sunni Hadith in the context of state formation and Shi‘i integration into this new entity. ʿAbd al-Ḥusayn Sharaf al-Dīn al-Mūsawī, most authoritative jurist his time, relied on compilers Hadith, to prove veracity Islam, audience. Nevertheless, these treatises cannot be viewed as traditional polemics. Instead, they reflected Mūsawī’s position proud leader community which received historical recognition nation state. Beyond Lebanon, Mūsawī perceived himself peer modernized forces thought time was ripe for acceptance Shi‘ism, through shared values, pan-Islamic vision critical approach its content narrators, within more humanized depiction Companions. did not deviate from classical notions. he joined with reformists their quest reconciliation Sunnis, an expanded notion orthodoxy. In understanding, toned down historiography, together endorsement may pave way cross-sectarian narrative based progressive Islam rational texts.