The Ahadeeth - Sayings of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)
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WHAT IS HADITH AND HOW WAS IT COMPILED? |
The Arabic word 'Hadith' means a report, tale, story, statement, narration, a communication or a discourse. Its plural form is 'Ahadith'. Every 'hadith' has two constituent parts:
The first part is the chain of attesters (silsila) which includes the 'Hadith Originator' and the 'Final Transmitter' of that hadith. Between the Hadith originator and the final transmitter, there are any numbers of transmitters who have passed on the hadith orally from one to the other over any given period of time. The complete chain is known as the 'sanad' (support) or the 'isnad' (supporting).
The actual wording (text) of the hadith is known as the 'matn' and is carried from the originator of the hadith through all the oral transmitters to the final transmitter.
A Hadith is usually classified as 'ahad' (single / limited chain(s) of transmission) or 'tawatur' (mutawatir - multiple chains of transmission of the same hadith report).
However, a more technical definition of a report which has reached the status of 'tawatur' is one which is understood to be conveyed by narrators so numerous that it is considered inconceivable that they could have agreed on a falsehood of what is being narrated underscoring its veracity (ilm yaqeen - certain knowledge). Though there is no consensus upon the number of narrators required for such a status, it is understood nevertheless that multiple narrators existed at each level of the chain of transmission. At times the terms ‘mutawatir’ and ‘mashhur’ (well-established) are also used interchangeably.
In contrast, an 'ahad' transmission is one which is has not been deemed to reach the level of qualification of a 'tawatur' transmission. Each of the transmissions is then usually divided into sub-categories by Hadith scholars.
The vast majority of the Ahadith corpus is based on an 'ahad' transmission which merely provides nothing more than a single source of evidence. So in effect, what one originator narrates, no other narrator passes on the same hadith.
The hadith are supposed sayings of the Prophet Muhammad. Prophet Muhammad died in 632 CE. Imam Bukhari was born in 810 CE and compiled the hadith in 846 CE. In other words, Bukhari compiled the hadith 214 years after Muhammad died. That’s over 2 centuries. Since Bukhari was not alive when Muhammad died, Bukhari relied on asking people if they remember hearing something that Muhammad said. Since 214 years is a long time, all hadith are based on a chain of people who claim they heard Muhammad say something.
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Year |
Event |
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571 |
Muhammad born |
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611 |
Muhammad becomes a prophet |
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632 |
Muhammad dies |
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??? |
Person A claims they heard someone (who was dead at the time) say they heard Muhammad say something |
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??? |
Person B said they heard Person A say something |
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??? |
Person C said they heard Person B say something |
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??? |
Person D said they heard Person C say something |
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??? |
Person E said they heard Person D say something |
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??? |
Person F said they heard Person E say something |
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??? |
Person G said they heard Person F say something |
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846 |
Bukhari said he heard Person G say something |
Humans are very bad at remembering and relaying information. For example, if someone told you something last week, you probably could not repeat the same exact statement to me today. It happens all the time. And that’s just over a period of one week. Based on this logic, does it really make sense to put a lot of trust in a long chain of people who claim they heard Prophet Muhammad say something 214 years earlier? Common sense would say “no”. But, because religion is about “belief”, most people want to just “believe” that what they hear is true even if it’s not true, especially if they’ve been taught to believe in the hadith since they were children. Nevertheless, even if all of the hadith were true, the Quran already makes it very clear that we are not allowed to follow anything except what was revealed to Muhammad and the only thing that was revealed to Muhammad was the Quran.
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NOT EVERYTHING MUHAMMAD SAID WAS A REVELATION. MUHAMMAD HIMSELF ONLY FOLLOWED WHAT WAS REVEALED TO HIM. |
Prophet Muhammad is a human being and has always been a human being. He did not become a prophet until he was 40 years old. Obviously, whatever he said before he was a prophet was not a revelation from God. However, what people don’t understand is that after Muhammad became a prophet, not everything he said until he died was a revelation from God. God sent the Quran to Muhammad via the Holy Spirit (ruh al-quduus) Gabriel (Jibril). This is proven in verse 10:15 where some people told Muhammad to give them a different book besides the Quran or to change the Quran but God told Muhammad to respond by saying that he cannot create a new book or change it and that he only follows what is revealed to him.
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10:15 And when Our verses are recited to them as clear evidences, those who do not expect the meeting with Us say, "Bring us a Qur'an other than this or change it." Say, [O Muhammad], "It is not for me to change it on my own accord. I only follow what is revealed to me. |
This is reiterated in verses 46:9, 6:50 and 7:203 which makes it absolutely clear that Muhammad only follows what is revealed to him.
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46:9 Say, "I am not something original among the messengers, nor do I know what will be done with me or with you. I only follow what is revealed to me, and I am not but a clear warner." |
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6:50 Say, [O Muhammad], "I do not tell you that I have the depositories [containing the provision] of Allah or that I know the unseen, nor do I tell you that I am an angel. I only follow what is revealed to me." Say, "Is the blind equivalent to the seeing? Then will you not give thought?" |
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7:203 And when you, [O Muhammad], do not bring them a verse, they say, “Why did you not fabricate it?” Say, “I follow only what is divinely revealed to me from my Lord”; this (the Holy Qur’an) is an enlightenment from your Lord, and a guidance and a mercy for the Muslims. |
So how can we prove that not every single word that Muhammad said during prophethood was a revelation? First of all, common sense is one proof. But in addition to that, the Quran itself proves it. Consider verse 7:203. When people did not get a new verse from Muhammad, they asked him to lie and fabricate a new verse. But God told Muhammad to tell them that he only follows what is revealed to him from God.
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7:203 And when you, [O Muhammad], do not bring them a verse, they say, “Why did you not fabricate it?” Say, “I follow only what is divinely revealed to me from my Lord”; this (the Holy Qur’an) is an enlightenment from your Lord, and a guidance and a mercy for the Muslims. |
According to verses 69:44-47, we know that if Muhammad had created a false verse on his own, God would have cut his heart. This proves that Muhammad had the “potential” to lie which consequently proves that not everything Muhammad said was a revelation to him.
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069:044 And if the messenger were to invent any sayings in Our name 069:045 We should certainly seize him by his right hand 069:046 And We should certainly then cut off the artery of his heart 069:047 Nor could any of you withhold him (from Our wrath) |
And that’s not all. We have even stronger proof when we consider verse 66:1. This verse proves that Muhammad forbade his wives from something as if what he said was Islamic law. Since whatever Muhammad said was not forbidden, Gabriel (Jibril) questioned Muhammad by asking why he forbade something that God never forbade. This clearly proves that not everything Muhammad said is a revelation from God nor is God’s law.
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66:1 part O Prophet, why do you forbid what Allah has made lawful for you, seeking the approval of your wives? ... |
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GOD FORBIDS PEOPLE FROM BELIEVING IN ANY STATEMENT (HADITH) OR BOOK BESIDES THE QURAN |
God forbids people from following any statement (hadith) besides God’s statement which is the Quran. This is clearly stated and proven in verses 45:6. Even though this verse is very clear, many people still follow Prophet Muhammad’s sayings (hadith) as if the hadith from God is equal to the Quran. People should think deeply about this verse before continuing to believe in the hadith.
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45:6 تِلْكَ آيَاتُ اللَّهِ نَتْلُوهَا عَلَيْكَ بِالْحَقِّ ۖ فَبِأَيِّ حَدِيثٍ بَعْدَ اللَّهِ وَآيَاتِهِ يُؤْمِنُونَ These are the verses of God that We recite to you in truth. Then in what hadith after God and His verses will they believe in? |
The best statement, as you would expect, is God’s statement. This is also very clearly stated in verse 39:23.
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39:23 part اللَّهُ نَزَّلَ أَحْسَنَ الْحَدِيثِ كِتَابًا مُّتَشَابِهًا مَّثَانِيَ تَقْشَعِرُّ مِنْهُ Allah has sent down the best hadith (statement): a consistent Book wherein is reiteration. …. |
God also forbids people from following any book besides the Quran, as indicated in verse 68:36-38.
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68:36-38 What is the matter with you? How do you judge? Or do you have a book in which you learn that contains what you choose? |
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GOD FORBADE THE PROPHET FROM FORBIDDING SOMETHING THAT GOD NEVER FORBADE |
Prophet Muhammad did not have the authority to make up his own laws. This is evident from verse 66:1 when on one occasion, Muhammad forbade something that was actually lawful. In response, God stepped in and asked why he did that.
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66:1 part O Prophet, why do you forbid what Allah has made lawful for you, seeking the approval of your wives? ... |
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THE QURAN FORBIDS ANY OTHER SOURCE, E.G. AHADEETH, TO BE USED AS LAW |
This is understandable and is proven in verse 6:114. The Quran is the word of God. Other books, e.g. the the book of Prophet Muhammad’s sayings (hadith), are not from God but from humans (e.g. indirectly via a chain of people who claim they heard Muhammad say something). Muhammad is not God. Muhammad has no right or authority to make Islamic law. And God never gave Muhammad the authority to make Islamic law as we will prove below.
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6:114 So shall I seek the command or law of other than that of Allah, whereas it is He Who has sent down the detailed Book towards you? |
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THE PROPHET’S JOB WAS ONLY TO DELIVER A MESSAGE (THE QURAN) AND NOTHING MORE |
Prophet Muhammad’s job was not to create Islamic law on his own and call them God’s laws. Neither was it his job to punish disbelievers. His job was strictly to deliver a message (the Quran) from God to his people. This is very clear in verse 5:99
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5:99 There is no duty upon the Noble Messenger except to convey / deliver the command / message; and Allah knows all what you disclose and all what you hide. |
For example, it was not prophet Muhammad’s job to be a guardian over people. His job was only to deliver the message. This is proven in verse 42:48.
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42:48 part So if they turn away from you, We have not sent you as a guardian over them; upon you is nothing but to deliver / convey (the message) |
As if verses 5:99 and 42:48 were not enough, God reiterates the fact that Prophet Muhammad’s sole job was to deliver the message with the statement in verse 13:40.
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13:40 And whether We show you part of what We promise them or take you in death, upon you is only the [duty of] delivering (the message), and upon Us is the account. |
You might think that this “message” is the “hadith” but it’s not. The “message” is obviously the “Quran” as stated in verse 6:19.
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6:19 part … This Quran has been revealed to me by inspiration, that I may warn you and all whom it reaches. ... |
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EXAMPLES OF “SAHEEH” AHADEETH THAT CONTRADICT EACH OTHER |
The following three hadith have to do with how many times you are supposed to wash each body part when making ablution (wudu).
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BUKHARI HADITH: Volume 1, Book 4, Number 159: Narrated Ibn 'Abbas: The Prophet performed ablution by washing the body parts only once. |
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BUKHARI HADITH: Volume 1, Book 4, Number 160: Narrated 'Abdullah bin Zaid: The Prophet performed ablution by washing the body parts twice. |
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BUKHARI HADITH: Volume 1, Book 4, Number 196: Narrated 'Abdullah bin Zaid: Once Allah's Apostle came to us and we brought out water for him in a brass pot. He performed ablution thus: He washed his face thrice, and his forearms to the elbows twice, then passed his wet hands lightly over the head from front to rear and brought them to front again and washed his feet (up to the ankles). |
So how many times are you supposed to wash each body part? Once, twice, or thrice?
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EXAMPLES OF “SAHEEH” AHADEETH THAT CONTRADICT THE QURAN |
The following hadith shows Prophet Muhammad making an insulting comparison which is counter to the spirit of the Quran.
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BUKHARI HADITH: Volume 9, Book 89, Number 256: Narrated Anas bin Malik: Allah's Apostle said, "You should listen to and obey, your ruler even if he was an Ethiopian (black) slave whose head looks like a raisin." |
The following hadith shows Prophet Muhammad limited a woman’s independence.
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BUKHARI HADITH: Volume 7, Book 62, Number 120: Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet said, "A woman should not fast (optional fasts) except with her husband's permission if he is at home (staying with her)." |
The following hadith described God forgiving a prostitute just because she gave a thirsty dog some water.
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BUKHARI HADITH: Volume 4, Book 54, Number 538: Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah's Apostle said, "A prostitute was forgiven by Allah, because, passing by a panting dog near a well and seeing that the dog was about to die of thirst, she took off her shoe, and tying it with her head-cover she drew out some water for it. So, Allah forgave her because of that. |
The following hadith showing Prophet Muhammad saying that the best Muslim is one who has the most wives.
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BUKHARI HADITH: Volume 7, Book 62, Number 7: Narrated Said bin Jubair: Ibn 'Abbas asked me, "Are you married?" I replied, "No." He said, "Marry, for the best person of this (Muslim) nation (i.e., Muhammad) of all other Muslims, had the largest number of wives. |
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EXAMPLES OF “SAHEEH” AHADEETH THAT ARE UNACCEPTABLE / QUESTIONABLE |
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BUKHARI HADITH: Volume 4, Book 53, Number 334: Narrated 'Abdullah bin 'Umar: Once I went upstairs in Hafsa's house and saw the Prophet answering the call of nature with his back towards the Qibla and facing Sham. |
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BUKHARI HADITH: Volume 7, Book 62, Number 121: Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet said, "If a man Invites his wife to sleep with him and she refuses to come to him, then the angels send their curses on her till morning." |
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BUKHARI HADITH: Volume 4, Book 54, Number 539: Narrated Abu Talha: The Prophet said, "Angels do not enter a house which has either a dog or a picture in it. |
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BUKHARI HADITH: Volume 4, Book 54, Number 492: Narrated 'Abdullah: It was mentioned before the Prophet that there was a man who slept the night till morning (after sunrise). The Prophet said, "He is a man in whose ears (or ear) Satan had urinated. |
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BUKHARI HADITH: Volume 7, Book 62, Number 30 Narrate:d Abdullah bin 'Umar: Allah's Apostle said, "Evil omen is in the women, the house and the horse. |
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BUKHARI HADITH: Volume 4, Book 54, Number 495: Narrated Abu Said Al-Khudri: The Prophet said, "If while you are praying, somebody intends to pass in front of you, prevent him; and should he insist, prevent him again; and if he insists again, fight with him (i.e. prevent him violently e.g. pushing him violently), because such a person is (like) a devil." https://sunnah.com/bukhari/59/83 Comment: One can only imagine what would happen in the Masjid e Haram if one adopted this approach. |
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BUKHARI HADITH: Volume 4, Book 55, Number 547: Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet said, "But for the Israelis, meat would not decay and but for Eve, wives would never betray their husbands. |
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BUKHARI HADITH: Volume 7, Book 62, Number 49: Narrated Ibn 'Abbas: The Prophet got married while he was in the state of Ihram. |
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BUKHARI HADITH: Volume 4, Book 54, Number 516: Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet said, "If anyone of you rouses from sleep and performs the ablution, he should wash his nose by putting water in it and then blowing it out thrice, because Satan has stayed in the upper part of his nose all the night." |
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BUKHARI HADITH: Volume 4, Book 54, Number 486: Narrated Ibn 'Umar: The Prophet said, "Fever is from the heat of the (Hell) Fire; so abate fever with water." |
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BUKHARI HADITH: Volume 8, Book 77, Number 611: Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet said, "Adam and Moses argued with each other. Moses said to Adam. 'O Adam! You are our father who disappointed us and turned us out of Paradise.' Then Adam said to him, 'O Moses! Allah favored you with His talk (talked to you directly) and He wrote (the Torah) for you with His Own Hand. Do you blame me for action which Allah had written in my fate forty years before my creation?' So Adam confuted Moses, Adam confuted Moses," the Prophet added, repeating the Statement three times. |