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?

 

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.

[79:30] He made the earth egg-shaped.

[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 (19×6) chapters and 6346 (19×334) verses in the Quran. The first verse of the Quran consists of 19 Arabic letters. For more info, please refer to this web site

[74:30] Over it is NINETEEN.

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.

 

[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