Al-Zamakhshari’s Methodology in Dealing with the Prophet’s Hadith

Despite the extinction of many Islamic sects and the disappearance of most of their names from real life, the thought of those sects still exists in the intellectual reality of the Muslim community (Ummah), and still has shadows and even clear impact on the methodology of many prominent scholars. This study aims to reveal an important aspect of Al-Zamakhshari’s thought - being one of the prominent Mu’tazila scholars - in terms of his dealing with one of the most important issues, i.e., the issue of dealing with the Sunnah. On this issue, thoughts of the Mu'tazila still exist until our present time, such as denying intercession, belittling the importance of isolated hadiths, and other thoughts that exist in our contemporary intellectual reality.
No doubt that there are many studies about the thoughts and history of the Mu'tazila, as well as about Al-Zamakhshari as a litterateur, an exegete, a grammarian, and a theologian. However, the purpose of this study is to deepen the consideration of one issue of Mu’tazila thought, i.e., their position on the Prophet’s hadith through Al-Zamakhshari’s tafsir book (Qur'anic exegesis), “Al-Kashshaf”.           
I decided to address this issue, in addition to the above introduction, in three topics and a conclusion as follows:
First topic: The impact of Al-Zamakhshari’s scientific formation on his position on the Prophet’s hadith.
Second topic: Al-Zamakhshari and the science of hadith.
Third topic: General features of Al-Zamakhshari in his dealing with hadith.
Conclusion: The most important results of the study.