Importance of Hadith

(N.B: This is only a draft paper. You should make some adjustments before making the
final paper.)

Introduction 1: The Arabic word hadith basically means an item of news, conversation,
a tale, a story or a report, whether historical or legendary, true or false, relating to the
present or the past. Its secondary meaning as an adjective is new as opposed to
qadeem, old.
However, like other Arabic words (e.g. salah, zakah), its meaning changed in Islam. From
the time of the Prophet (peace be upon him), his stories and communications dominated
all other forms of communication. Consequently, the term hadith began to be used
almost exclusively for reports that spoke of his actions and sayings.
Introduction 2: The word hadith literally means communication, story, and
conversation. Whenever it is used as an adjective it means new. It has been used in the
Quran 23 times, e.g. referring to religious communication or a message. Almighty Allah
says:
Allah has revealed (time after time) the most beautiful hadith (message) in the form of a
book. 39:23.
The term hadith was used by the Prophet(s) in the same sense that it is used in the
Quran for religious communication. The Prophet said: The best hadith is the Book of
Allah Bukhari Kitab al:dab 70. Allah illuminates a man who hears a hadith from me,
preserves it carefully and passes it on to others Musnad Ahmad 1.43. It is clear from
these examples that the word hadith has in its meaning the sense of story or
communication. However, in Islamic literature this term has been used almost
exclusively for the narrations about or from the Prophet (pbuh).
Introduction 3: We see numerous ayaat in Quran where Allah clearly mentions the
importance of Authentic Sunnah & Hadiths and the scholars who rely on them. However
in this article we will see some of the most important of those which will help us establish
a clear picture for our series, Hadith: The Integral part of Islam.
There are many ayaat which clearly command to obey messenger. These ayaat are
direct, clear and can be understood even by a lay man without any complications. One of
those is as below:
And establish the Prayer and give zakah, and obey the Messenger so that you may be
shown
mercy.
[Translation of Quran 24:56]

However as a general observation, people who ignore/sideline hadiths love to complicate

things. So as their argument they say, Messenger only followed Quran, so obeying
Quran only (which was revealed by Allah) is obeying Messenger. So in short they say,
Obey Allah to obey Messenger. However Allah mentions in Quran:
He who obeys the Messenger, obeys Allah. But if any turn away, We have not sent
thee to watch over their (evil deeds).
[Translation of Quran 4:80]
And any unbiased person would understand the difference between, Obey Allah to obey
Messenger and He who obeys the Messenger, obeys Allah (Exactly
opposite). However as many misunderstand, this is not to say that Messenger (SAS)
made laws or gave commands by himself. This only confirms the ayah: He does not
speak on his own, out of his own desire. That is but a Revelation that is revealed to
him. (Translation of Quran 53:3-4).

IMPORTANCE OF SUNNAH & HADITH

Some Importance of Hadiths as listed by Dr. Bilal Philips in his usool-ul-Hadith are as
Revelation, Tafseer, Laws, Moral Ideal, and their role in Preservation of Islam.
1. Revelation: The Prophets sayings and actions were primarily based on revelation
from Allah (One True God) and, as such, must be considered a fundamental source of
guidance along with Quran. Allah in the Quran said concerning the Prophet (SAS)
He does not speak on his own, out of his own desire; That is but a Revelation that is
revealed
to
him.
[Translation of Quran 53:3-4]
Therefore, the Hadeeth represents a personal source of divine guidance which Allah
granted His Prophet (pbuh) which was similar in its nature to the Quran itself. The
Prophet (pbuh) reiterated this point in one of his recorded statements, Indeed, I was
given the Quran and something similar to it along with it. [Sunan Abu Dawud]
2. Tafseer: The preservation of the Quran was not restricted to protecting its wording
from change. Was that the case, its meanings could be manipulated according to human
desires, while maintaining its wording. However, Allah also protected its essential
meanings from change by entrusting the explanation of the meanings of Quran to the
Prophet (SAS) himself. Allah states the following in the Quran regarding its
interpretation:
(We sent them) with Clear Signs and Books of dark prophecies; and We have sent down
unto thee [Muhammad (pbuh)] the Message; that thou mayest explain clearly to
men
what
is
sent
for them, and
that
they
may
give
thought.
[Translation of Quran 16:44]

Therefore, if one is to understand the meanings of Quran, he or she must consider what
the Prophet (SAS) said or did regarding it. E.g. in the Quran, Allah instructs the believers
to offer salaah (formal prayers) and pay zakaah (obligatory charity) in Chapter 2, verse
43. However, in order to obey these instructions correctly, one must study the
methodology of the Prophet (SAS) in this regard. Among his many clarifications
concerning Salaah and zakaah, he instructed his followers saying Pray as you saw me
pray,[ Sahih Al-Bukhari, vol. 1, no. 604.] and he specified that surplus wealth, unused
for a year, should be given as zakaah.
3. Laws: One of the primary duties of the Prophet (SAS) was to judge between people in
their disputes. Since his judgments were all based on revelation, as stated earlier, they
must be considered a primary source of principles by which judgments are carried out in
an Islamic State. Allah also addressed this responsibility in the Quran saying:
It is not fitting for a Believer, man or woman, when a matter has been decided by Allah
and His Messenger to have any option about their decision: if any one disobeys Allah
and His Messenger, he is indeed on a clearly wrong Path.
[Translation of Quran 33:36]
Fight those who believe not in Allah nor the Last Day, nor hold that forbidden which
hath been forbidden by Allah and His Messenger, nor acknowledge the religion of
Truth, (even if they are) of the People of the Book, until they pay the Jizya with willing
submission,
and
feel
themselves
subdued.
[Translation of Quran 9:29]
But no, by the Lord, they can have no (real) Faith, until they make thee (Prophet
Muhammad [SAS]) judge in all disputes between them, and find in their souls
no resistance against Thy decisions, but accept them with the fullest conviction.
[Translation of Quran 4:65]
Thus Hadiths are essential for the smooth running of the law courts in an Islamic State.
4. Moral Ideal: Since the Prophet (pbuh) was guided by revelation in his personal life,
his character and social interactions became prime examples of moral conduct for
Muslims until the Last Day. Attention was drawn to this fact in the following verse of
Quran:
Surely there is for all of you a good example in the way of Allahs Messenger.
[Translation Quran 33:21]
Consequently, the daily life of the Prophet (SAS) as recorded in hadith represents an
ideal code of good conduct. Also as examples are given to reflect and Quran is for all
generations till Qiyamah, it becomes necessary to refer to authentic Hadiths.
5. Preservation of Islam: The science of narration, collection and criticism
of hadith was unknown to the world prior to the era of the Prophet (pbuh). In fact, it was
due in part to the absence of such a reliable science that the messages of the former
prophets became lost or distorted in the generations that followed them. Therefore, it

may be said that it is largely due to the science ofhadith that the final message of Islam
has been preserved in it is original purity for all times. This is alluded to in the Quranic
verse:
Indeed,
I
have
revealed
[Translation Quran 15: 90]

the

Reminder,

will,

indeed,

protect

it.

(Extra)6. Without Hadith there is no Islam: It is more than correct. Without Hadith it

is impossible to be a Muslim. We cant have Islam without the Hadith of Rasulullah

(sallallahu alayhi wasallam) and the reason for that being, when Allah SWT revealed the
Quraan to Rasulullah (sallallahu alyhi wasallam), among the various aayaat of the
Quraan there is one particular aayah wherein Allah SWT addresses Rasulullah (sallallahu
alayhi

wasallam) and says, Oh Rasool, We reveal the reminder (the Quraan) to you so that you
will expound (explain, clarify) upon the people what has been revealed to you. When we
look at the Quraan, we find that the basic injunctions of the Shariah are mentioned in the
Quraan, but the Quraan was meant to last and be preserved forever and one of the
means of preservation of the Quraan, is where the Quraan is memorised to memory.
Allah SWT wanted the Quraan to be concise, comprehensive, easy to memorise yet at
the same time all encompassing. In the Quraan we will find an answer for everything
with regards to Islam and Shariah. Because the Quraan has to be concise, Allah SWT
mentions the broad principles. The finer details Allah SWT leaves to Rasulullah (sallallahu
alayhi wasallam). Looking at an example, the most important injunction in Shariah which
is Salaah, the Hadith of Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) wherein Rasulullah
(sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said, Salaah is the most important pillar of Islam. If you
establish Salaah, you will establish the rest of Deen. If you destroy Salaah, there is no
hope of you establishing the rest of Deen. Knowing the five most important pillars of
Islam, after Imaan, the most important pillar is Salaah. Quraan tells us to perform Salaah
but Quraan does not tell us the procedure of Salaah and how each Salaah is broken up.
We get this information from the Hadith of Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam). The
finer details about fasting, zakaah, Salaah, Azaan etc we receive from Rasulullah
(sallallahu alayhii wasallam). Take out Hadith from our lives and we dont have Islam.
(Extra)7. Penalty of rejecting Hadith: There are two types of Hadith. One is called

Hadith Mutawatir which is reported by a huge number of narrators that their agreement
to make it up is impossible. A person who rejects any one of those Ahaadith [Hadith
Mutawatir], their Imaan becomes questionable. When a person rejects Hadith
completely, then there is no Shariah left, he is basically making a mockery of Islam. It
depends on individual injunctions of the Shariah, which injunction does the person reject,
ridicule or negate. We have to differentiate between negation and ridicule. If he is
negating, the injunction being negated has to be looked at. Sometimes negation of
particular injunctions will result in disbelief and sometimes it will result in him being
declared an innovator, a faasiq (hypocrite) or a faajir (a sinner). When a person mocks

then there is no differentiation, you are mocking a Sunnah of Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi
wasallam) and your Imaan is at stake.
(Extra)8. Imporance of Hadith according to Al Quran: The injunction to follow the

guidance of the Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him, which is embodied in the
Hadith, is in the following verses from the Quran:

The above verses are only a selection from many that link obedience of the Messenger
Muhammad peace be upon hims commandments to obedience of Allah the Exalteds
commandments.

Double Extra(For further needing)

Hadith is integral to the Quran, since they are inseparably linked to each other. It is
impossible to understand the Quran without reference to Hadith. The Quran is the
message, and the Hadith is the explanation of the message by the Messenger himself. I
mention the following points to clarify the issue:
1. The Quran makes it abundantly clear that the function of the Messenger is not
merely that of a deliveryman who simply delivers the revelation from Allah to us.
Rather, he has been entrusted with the most important task of explaining and
illustrating the same. This is a point mentioned in a number of verses in the Quran:
[And We have revealed unto thee the Remembrance that thou mayst explain
to mankind that which hath been revealed for them, and that haply they may
reflect.] (An-Nahl 16:44)
[And We have revealed the Scripture unto thee only that thou mayst explain
unto them that wherein they differ, and (as) a guidance and a mercy for a
people who believe.] (An-Nahl 16:64)
Therefore, Hadith explains, clarifies, and removes ambiguities about the Quran. Hence,
once we reject the Hadith, we may never be able to figure out the whole meaning of
the Quran.
2. Much of Islam will remain mere abstract concepts without Hadith. We would never
know how to pray, fast, pay zakah, or make pilgrimage without the illustration found in
Hadith, for these acts of worship remain as abstract imperatives in the Quran.
3. The Quran tells us the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) has taught not
only the Book but also the wisdom (See Quran: 96:2; 33:34; 4:113, etc.) As Imam
Shafi`i stated, the wisdom mentioned here is the Sunnah of the Prophet (peace and
blessings be upon him); so if we were to reject the Hadith, we would be rejecting the
Quran itself.
4. The Quran tells us to obey the Messenger and abide by his decision:
[But no, by the Lord, they can have no (real) Faith, until they make thee
judge in all disputes between them, and find in their souls no resistance
against Thy decisions, but accept them with the fullest conviction.] (An-Nisaa
4:65)
[So judge between them by that which Allah hath revealed, and follow not
their desires, but beware of them lest they seduce thee from some part of
that which Allah hath revealed unto thee. And if they turn away, then know
that Allahs Will is to smite them for some sin of theirs. Lo! many of mankind
are evil-livers.] (Al-Maidah 5:48)
Where do we find such decisions except in the Hadith?

Last but not least, the Quran orders the faithful to emulate the role model of the
Messenger and reckons it as the only way to gain the pleasure of Allah. It is therefore
imperative that we look up to his morals and behavior and emulate them in our lives.
We can never do so without studying the Hadith. It is most illuminating in this respect
to learn that when `Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) was asked to describe the
character of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), her definitive answer was,
His character was the Quran. In other words, he personified the best ideals and
values of the Quran. How could we then neglect the Hadith, which alone can lead us to
the precise ways in which the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) exemplified
the Quranic ideals.
Having said this, however, we must never fall into the temptation of taking all that is
found in the works of Hadith as being authentic or genuine. Hadith at all times must be
evaluated by the well-established rules of validation as established by the great
scholars. Such firm criteria include the following: If a certain hadith is contrary to the
well-established principles of the Quran or sound reason, it must be rejected (since,
obviously, it cannot be authentic.)

Conclusion 1: While its true that the Quran is the ultimate authority in Islam, the
Hadith is its indispensable complementary companion, and its the second agreed upon
foundational principle in the 4 Sunni madhhabs (schools of law). Due to its intricate
nature, one needs to master several sciences to be able to judge a Hadith to be
authentic or not, and several more sciences to be able to judge whether a ruling can be
derived from it and be considered binding or not. Hence, returning this matter to its
people of knowledge, i.e. traditional Muslim scholars, is imperative for one to have a
sound understanding of Islam. Differences will always exist and rejection of the Hadith
will not abolish these differences. But rather than being a source of mercy, differences
can become a source of strife and division when religious chaos and ignorance manifest
themselves as the norm.
That and Allah is more exalted and more knowledgeable.
Conclusion 2: Thus in conclusion we could say that if you love Allah there is no option
but to follow the authentic tradition of Muhammad (SAS), also justified in below ayah:
Say: If ye do love Allah, Follow me: Allah will love you and forgive you your sins: For
Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. Say: Obey Allah and His Messenger.: But if
they
turn
back,
Allah
loveth
not
those
who
reject
Faith.
[Translation of Quran 3:31-32]

A Hadith
It was narrated from Abu Sa'eed al-Khudri that the Messenger of Allaah {C}(peace and
blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "Do not write anything from me; whoever has
written anything from me other than the Qur'aan, let him erase it and narrate from me,
for there is nothing wrong with that." (Narrated by Muslim, al-Zuhd wa'l-Raqaa'iq, 5326)