matn

Matn (Arabic: متن) is a term meaning text or body of content, used across languages such as Arabic, Persian, Urdu, and Turkish. In linguistic and literary contexts, matn denotes the substantive content of a text—the ideas, statements, or narrative contained within—distinguished from its form, structure, or physical presentation.

In Islamic studies, matn has a specialized sense: it refers to the actual wording and meaning attributed to a reported saying or action of the Prophet Muhammad. This usage is contrasted with isnad (the chain of transmitters) that links the report to the Prophet. Scholars assess both the matn and the isnad to determine a hadith’s authenticity. They examine whether the matn is coherent with the Qur’an and established traditions, whether it contains plausible details, and whether it avoids contradictions with other reliable sources. A strong isnad does not automatically guarantee authenticity if the matn itself is deemed weak, impossible, or contradicts established doctrine.

Beyond religious studies, matn functions as the general word for the content of any document or discourse. In modern usage, it can refer to the central subject matter of an article, speech, or literary work, as opposed to its form, annotations, or stylistic elements. The term’s broad meaning as “text” or “content” makes it a common fixture in academic, literary, and everyday language.

Etymology traces matn to the Arabic root meaning “text” or “content,” and the word has been adopted into various languages through scholarly and literary traditions.