Epistemological and Evidential Value of Khabar al-Wahid in Islamic Theology

Abstract

Epistemological and evidential value of khabar al-wahid (single report) in Islamic Theology is one of the main discussed topics that maintains its actuality from the early times. In this context, khabar (report) is divided into mutawatir and ahad in terms of epistemological value. The first is accepted as absolute evidence in basic beliefs and on the other hand, the second is not evaluated to the same value as the first. Besides there is theoretical and practical incompatibility. In other words, it is seen that some of the khabar al-wahid is used as evidence on some basic matters of beliefs. Firstly, we evaluated the sides of the discussion and their claims and then suggested the re-discussion of the matter on a new perspective in this article. Consequently, we tried to prove that khabar al-wahid can be used with internal and external proofs as speculative or secondary (nazari) knowledge and also evidence in supporting and detailing of theological issues.