Hadith, collected two centuries after Prophet Muhammad's death, is set against the Quran as a source of religious guidance in a list of ten reasons Muslims should turn to the Quran alone. The reasons cover contradictions, sectarian division, unverifiable sources, insults to the prophet, idol worship, and the Quran's mathematical structure based on 19. A passage from Psalms 119 closes the issue.
God has revealed a perfect book, the Quran,
to Prophet Muhammad over 1400 years ago, to set the religion of Islam
(Submission) straight once in for all. God calls it the Final Testament
to humanity. It is a complete and fully detailed book, and is only one
volume. But then came hadith books, volumes and volumes of them, the sources
other than the Quran, which eventually transformed the religion of Islam
into what we know today. These sources derailed the beautiful religion
of God from its right tracks. It is time for true, caring Muslims to reclaim
Islam, and bring it back to its origin of intention—Submission to
the will of God. They can do so by being informed about hadiths and their
significance.
What does the word Hadith mean? If you go
to any traditional Muslim source or web site, you may find the following
explanation for hadith:
Hadith literally means a saying. But when used as a term in the religion
of Islam, a hadith means a report of what the Prophet Muhammad said or
did on a certain occasion. His sayings are found in books called the Hadith
books. Some famous collectors of Hadith are Bukhari, Sahih Muslim, Abu
Dawood and Tirmizi. There are several others.
What is missing from these explanations is the fact that the collection
of Hadith did not begin until 200 years after Muhammad’s death!
According to some estimates there were over two million hadiths
floating around when these hadith collectors
were in business. For example, it is claimed that Bukhari has compiled
6000-7000 hadiths from among some 600 thousand he had heard! Other collectors
did the same thing.
Why should Muslims be at the mercy of Bukhari and his counterparts, and
their skill of selection of these hadiths when they reportedly discarded
99% of hadith they encountered? Even with all their screening, there is
plenty of nonsense in them. Should we take all these hadiths now, assuming
they are genuine? How good was their screening? Since all Muslims scholars
agree that there are still bad hadiths out there, what should be our criteria
to see if a hadith is true or false?
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Top ten reasons
Let us not forget that each Muslim sect has its own collections
of hadiths that justify their sectarianism, and the fact that there
were no sects during the time of Prophet Muhammad!
Why should we be interested in volumes and volumes of hadith books,
when there is only one book of the Quran—revelations from
God. Are God’s words not sufficient for His servants? It is
conceivable to use hadiths for historical purposes, but Muslims
should never use them as a source of religious guidance. There are
literally thousands of reasons for that. Here are some that may
qualify as the top ten:
10. Hadith is time-dependent, backwards and is
full of unscientific and laughable examples, such as Muhammad splitting
the moon with one half falling into Ali’s backyard! What nonsense.
Or the hadith attributed to Muhammad that if a fly falls in their
soup, they should dip it completely because if one of its wings
carries the germs, the other wing carries the antidote for it! And
these are genuine hadiths! The Quran is applicable for all generations;
therefore it is progressive. It explains the science. It is a no
nonsense book.
27:88 When you look at the mountains, you think
that they are standing still. But they are moving, like the clouds.
Such is the manufacture of GOD, who perfected everything. He is
fully Cognizant of everything you do.
9. Many hadiths contradict each other. There is
no contradiction in the Quran.
4:82 Why do they not study the Quran carefully?
If it were from other than GOD, they would have found in it numerous
contradictions.
8. Hadith is narrated and compiled by humans more
than two centuries after the death of prophet Muhammad. It has many
rules and regulations that have nothing to do with religion. It
makes the religion difficult for people. It often repels people
from the religion. The Quran was revealed to Muhammad through Gabriel
and it is God’s words. It makes the religion easy for us.
3:108 These are GOD’s revelations; we recite
them to you, truthfully. GOD does not wish any hardship for the
people.
10:37 This Quran could not possibly be authored
by other than GOD. It confirms all previous messages, and provides
a FULLY DETAILED scripture. It is infallible, for it comes from
the Lord of the universe.
7. Hadith is the cause of division in Muslim communities.
Each sect has its own set of Hadiths. There is only one Quran, one
source of jurisprudence.
21:92-93 Your congregation is but one congregation,
and I alone am your Lord; you shall worship Me alone. However, they
divided themselves into disputing religions. All of them will come
back to us (for judgment).
42:13 He decreed for you the same religion decreed
for Noah, and what we inspired to you, and what we decreed for Abraham,
Moses, and Jesus: "You shall uphold this one religion, and
do not divide it." The idol worshipers
will greatly resent what you invite
them to do. GOD redeems to Himself whomever He wills; He guides
to Himself only those who totally submit.
6. Some hadiths display an awful character of
the prophet. There are disgusting hadiths. There are even x-rated
hadiths. These hadiths blaspheme against the prophet and put him
down, the very person they want to exalt! The Quran says Muhammad
had a good moral character, like all other messengers.
68:4 You are blessed with a great moral character.
5. Hadith cannot be verified or authenticated
that it is indeed the word of Muhammad. The Quran has a mathematical
structure based on the number 19. For example there are 114 (19x6)
chapters and 6346 (19x334) verses in the Quran. The first verse
of the Quran consists of 19 Arabic letters. For more info, please
refer to this
web site
4. Hadith can be used for historical purposes.
It should not be used for religious laws. God says the Quran is
the best hadith. It is sufficient for our salvation and fully detailed.
39:23 GOD has revealed herein the BEST HADITH;
a book that is consistent, and points out both ways (to Heaven and
Hell). The skins of those who reverence their Lord cringe therefrom,
then their skins and their hearts soften up for GOD’s message.
Such is GOD’s guidance; He bestows it upon whoever wills (to
be guided). As for those sent astray by GOD, nothing can guide them.
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Top ten reasons
68:37-38 Do you have another book to uphold? In
it, do you find anything you want?
6:114 Shall I seek other than GOD as a source of
law, when He has revealed to you this book FULLY DETAILED? Those
who received the scripture recognize that it has been revealed from
your Lord, truthfully. You shall not harbor any doubt.
7:52 We have given them a scripture that is FULLY
DETAILED, with knowledge, guidance, and mercy for the people who
believe.
3. Hadith blasphemes against God, and encourages
idol worship of the prophet and the saints. The Quran glorifies
God Almighty, and warns us against falling into idol worship.
39:65 It has been revealed to you, and to those
before you that if you ever commit idol worship, all your works
will be nullified, and you will be with the losers.
2. Hadith can be very confusing, difficult to
understand and boring, considering there are more than 50 volumes
of hadith books.
The Quran is only one book. It is easy
to understand and straightforward. One never gets tired of reading
it again and again.
[54:17,22,32,40] We made the Quran easy to learn.
Does any of you wish to learn?
3:7 He sent down to you this scripture, containing
straightforward verses—which constitute the essence of the
scripture—as well as multiple-meaning or allegorical verses.
Those who harbor doubts in their hearts will pursue the multiple-meaning
verses to create confusion, and to extricate a certain meaning.
None knows the true meaning thereof except GOD and those well-founded
in knowledge. They say, "We believe in this—all of it
comes from our Lord." Only those who possess intelligence will
take heed.
1. Prophet Muhammad never encouraged his followers
to record his Hadith. In fact he asked them not to record anything
from him except the Quran. God forbids us from following any religious
sources other than the Quran.
The prophet said, “Do not write down anything
from me except the Quran.” [Ahmed, Vol 1, Page 171 and Sahih
Muslim]
Prophet maintained his anti-hadith stand until his
death. [Ahmed, Vol 1, Page 192]
13:37 We revealed these laws in Arabic, and if
you ever acquiesce to their wishes, after this knowledge has come
to you, you will have no ally, nor a protector, against GOD.
Abdullah
[Ed.’s notes: Your comments and experiences
with hadith or corruption with religion are welcome. Let the world
know! God bless.]
Psalms 119: 1-6
How blessed are those whose way is blameless,
Who walk in the law of the LORD.
How blessed are those who observe His testimonies,
Who seek Him with all their heart.
They also do no unrighteousness;
They walk in His ways.
You have ordained Your precepts,
That we should keep them diligently.
Oh that my ways may be established
To keep Your statutes!
Then I shall not be ashamed
When I look upon all Your commandments.
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