The science of Hadiths, also known as Hadith criticism or Hadith scholarship, is a human endeavor that developed after the time of the Prophet Muhammad. It is not explicitly mentioned in the Quran as a defined discipline.
The Quran is the primary religious text of Islam and is considered by Muslims to be the word of God as revealed to Prophet Muhammad. It contains guidance and principles for Muslims to follow. However, the Quran does not provide detailed instructions on how to practice Islam in all aspects of life, including matters of jurisprudence, governance, or the compilation and authentication of Hadiths.
Hadiths, on the other hand, are reports of the sayings, actions, and approvals of Prophet Muhammad and are considered an important source of guidance for Muslims. The science of Hadiths emerged to assess the authenticity, reliability, and contextual interpretation of these reports. Scholars developed methodologies and criteria to determine the credibility of narrators and to evaluate the chains of transmission (isnad) through which the Hadiths were passed down.
It's important to note that the authenticity and reliability of Hadiths have been a subject of scholarly debate throughout history, and different scholars and schools of thought may have varying approaches and conclusions. The discipline of Hadith scholarship aims to distinguish between authentic and unreliable Hadiths to ensure that the teachings attributed to the Prophet Muhammad are accurately preserved and understood.
In summary, while the Quran is considered divine revelation, the science of Hadiths is a human effort that developed later to study and authenticate the reports about the words and actions of Prophet Muhammad.