As one of Al-Mahdi Institute’s six specialist research areas, Hadith and History examines the authentication, transmission, and historical contexts of ḥadīth across diverse Muslim traditions, analysing the processes of canonisation and the theological and political forces that have shaped ḥadīth literature. The research situates early Islamic history in critical conversation with contemporary debates in hadith studies, bridging historical inquiry with ongoing scholarly discourse. Drawing on rigorous historical, philological, and theoretical approaches, this work contributes to a deeper understanding of how prophetic traditions have been constructed, transmitted, and debated over time. Led by its Research Lead, this research area convenes biannual international conferences, hosts research seminars and book reviews, publishes edited volumes of conference proceedings, and supports visiting fellowships.