Hadith books
The religion of Islam) today still continues to be one of the misunderstood religions in the world. One reason for this is the fact that for centuries this beautiful religion has been unduly presented to the world through the so-called Muslim people, scholars, and countries that do not act or function in an Islamic manner, according to teaching of the Quran. The result of centuries-long ignorance is obvious. Not only has the religion of Islam been given a bad name, but also Muslims all around the world today are suffering the consequences of abandoning the teachings of the Quran, in favour of innovations that have nothing to do with the religion of Islam. One of these innovations is the volumes and volumes of Hadith books written some 200 years after the death of Prophet Muhammad. These hadiths are sayings that are attributed to the prophet. There are many hadiths that either contradict the Quran or don’t make any sense at all. While these may be some genuine hadiths that don’t contradict the Quran, there is no way to prove their authenticity even if the collectors of hadiths may claim so. We know the Quran is the truth from God delivered the Prophet Muhammad.
People also say that hadith books, which they attribute to the prophet, are the ‘authentic’ sayings of prophet Muhammad. However, if we really analyse the hadith books and what they are, they are what other people apparently heard the prophet say. The first recorded hadith being around 200 years after the prophet’s death.
What’s wrong with Hadiths?
God condemns the Hadith by name in the Quran and informs us that it is a blasphemous fabrication (45:6-7). He says that the Quran is one consistent source since it’s His Word.
There is no contradiction in it. If it were from other than God, as Hadith books are, they would have found in it numerous contradictions (4:82) Hadiths can be useful for historical perspective, but they should not be used for establishing religious practices. Doing so does not mean one dislikes or does not obey the prophet Muhammad.
On the contrary, it indicates that he or she respects him and God’s revelations that came thorough his mouth. After all it is God we are all supposed to please.
The Quran teaches us that when the judgment day comes and everything is brought forward, the prophet will be disappointed by what has been done to the message that he delivered. He will say, “my people have deserted the Quran” (25:30). Therefore, following or upholding baseless Hadiths is something neither God nor His messengers want us to do: Among the people, there are those who uphold baseless Hadith, and thus divert others from the path of GOD without knowledge, and take it in vain. These have incurred a shameful retribution. (31:6) As a matter of fact, God and His messengers want us to follow the Word of God as the only source of religious guidance, otherwise we will end up disputing and dividing ourselves (3:103).
The Quran is God’s word in truth and justice; a blessing and beacon for those who want to submit to the Lord of the Universe, the Almighty. It’s God’s commandment that we should read it from cover to cover (73:4). Are we waiting for somebody to explain God’s message to us while we can read it for ourselves?
Therefore, read what your Creator wants to tell you for your own sake! Read it in a language that you can understand. When God says that He made the Quran easy to learn, He means it. He is the One who controls the hearts and minds of the people and guides them accordingly (28:56). He is teacher of the Quran for those who turn to Him (55:2). 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, (39:23) Why do they not study the Quran carefully? If it were from other than GOD, they would have found in it numerous contradictions. (4:82)
Do the volumes of hadiths books compliment the Quran?
Some say we need the Hadith to explain or compliment the Quran because the Quran is too difficult to understand. Why do people who find it difficult to understand a single volume of God’s revelation feel it necessary to refer to 50 volumes of Hadith books for clarification!
Shia’s have their own 4 hadith books, Sunnis have their 6 hadith books, they disagree with each other’s, however, both sects believe they are correct and those books contain the sayings of the prophet.
Would God reveal a message so difficult to understand, yet expect people to follow it? This does not make sense. Furthermore, God tells us in the Quran many times: “we made the Quran easy to learn, does any of you wish to learn?” (54:17, 22, 32, 40). Doesn’t God know what He is talking about? Doesn’t He know His creatures’ abilities? It is almost impossible for anyone to go through all the books of Hadith without getting confused and totally lost, especially if the person wants to examine what each different sect has to offer. That’’ why the so-called Islamic universities offer academic degrees in studying Hadith to raise “learned men” of the religion. These students literally waste their time to learn all the details of living their lives in accordance with the supposed sayings and deeds of the prophet. The religious rules and regulations based on such innovations contain and cover literally every aspect of life from walking, eating, laughing, sleeping – almost anything one can think of. The rules such as how to use the bathroom and what to do in there! The details are too gross and shocking to mention.
Did God run out of words?
If God wanted to be more specific about how we must live our lives, He could have sent down volumes and volumes of revelations on how we should sleep, how we should cook, eat or drink, and which dress we should wear and so on.
He surely tells us that if the oceans were ink, and the trees were made into pens, He would not run out of words (31:27).
But it is God’s mercy that He wants us to follow only what He specified in His revelations, and use our common sense, knowledge and wisdom for the rest of the details of life. However, people insist on making their lives miserable as their so-called religious leaders and “learned” scholars shackle them with satanic teaching and innovations.
Is the Quran complete and easy to understand?
Ask this question- “Is the Qur’an complete and easy to understand?” - of any Muslim today, and his or her immediate answer will be “Yes!” However, further investigation would reveal that this Muslim is only paying lip service to this position, and that he does not actually believe in the completeness of the Qur’an.
If you discuss the question at length, you will soon hear claims like "Yes the Qur’an is complete, but it does not have everything, "and" Yes, the Qur’an is complete, but we cannot understand it without other books. "
We will see that the Qur’an itself refutes these claims:
"And certainly, We have repeated for humankind, in this Quran, every kind of example, but the majority of humankind do not consent to aught but denying." (17:89)
“We have put forth for humans, in this Qur’an, every kind of example so that they may remember” (Qur’an 39:27).
Here, God says that He has explained EVERY KIND OF EXAMPLE for our Guidance within the Qur’an. Thus, when God Himself testifies that every kind of example is within the Qur’an, does the Muslim need to look elsewhere for examples?
Here we must note that since the initial audience of the Qur’an were people living in a desert city 1400 years ago the wordings of the examples are more relevant to their surroundings. However, the message of these examples is applicable to all times. In fact, the word 'example" by definition means that it is referring to a specific case outlining a general principal.
God further explains this:
"And We have revealed the Book to you which has the clear explanation of everything, and a guidance and mercy and good news for those who submit." (16:89)
There cannot be any words clearer than this. When He says “liKULLI Shai’iw” that means EVERYTHING. If the Qur’an itself is supposed to explain everything, what does it mean to explain the Qur’an by other books?
In other words, the above verse is saying that there is NOTHING that is not explained by the Qur’an. The Muslim who says that “not everything is in the Qur’an”, must sit down and contemplate on these Ayaats and reflect on the logical consequences of his statement.
Those Muslims who say that the Qur’an is not clear, and they need other books to understand the Qur’an should read the following statement of God:
“A Qur’an in Arabic, without any crookedness in order that they may become more conscious.” (Qur’an 39:28).
God says that the Qur’an is without any crookedness, meaning that there is nothing obscure in the Qur’an. This is only logical as the Book is meant for everyone and not only those who have a Ph.D. in Fiqh and Hadith.
Then God confirms this, when He states it four times within the same Surah:
“And We have indeed made the Qur’an (The Recital) easy for taking Reminder; then is there any that will receive admonition?” (54: 17, 22, 32, 40)
Unless, the Muslim thinks that God is “speaking with His tongue in cheek” Nauzobillah, it is very clear what He says - the Qur’an is easy to understand.
The Muslim, when confronted with these Ayaat, adopts a more defensive approach and revises his earlier statements by saying “Yes, the Qur’an is complete and has everything and is easy to understand, but it LACKS DETAILS.
And to get the details we must resort to the books of Hadith”. The Qur'an again refutes this statement. Here is what God says about the detail in His Book:
“Shall I then seek a Ruler other than God? When He it is Who has revealed to you the Book (which is) distinctly detailed” (6:114)
“And certainly We have brought them a Book, which We have detailed with knowledge, a guidance and mercy for a people who believe” (7:52)
“A Book of which the verses are distinctly detailed, an Arabic Qur’an for people who know” (41:3)
“Indeed We have made the verses detailed for a people who take reminder” (6:126)
“And this Qur’an is not such as could be forged by those besides God, but it is a verification of that which is in his possession and a distinct elucidation of the book and there is no doubt in it, from the Lord of the Worlds” (10:37)
In face of these verses, the Muslim's claim seems once again contradictory to the Qur’anic evidence. Yet, the Muslim insists that the Qur’an is not detailed.
In the light of the Qur’an, this only suggests that the Muslim is not using his common sense and the gift of God called Aqal (reason). God says:
“Thus, do We make the revelations detailed for a people who reflect” (10:24)
“Thus, do We make the revelations detailed for a people who use their reason” (30:28)
Thus, those people who refuse to reflect and use their reason and insist on whatever they were taught by their elders without question, they are the people who will not find the details of everything in the Qur’an, and will go searching for other books.
Logically speaking, it would not make any sense that a Book that is supposed to shed light on other things and that is supposed to explain other things, is itself in need of explanation:
“By the Evidence of the Book that makes things clear. Surely We have made it an Arabic Qur’an
that you use your reason” (43:2-3)
“By the evidence of the Book that makes things clear” (44:2)
“We have made the revelations clear to you, if you will use your reason” (3:118)
The discussion should end here for if the Qur’an is COMPLETE, and EASY and has DETAILS of everything that we need for Guidance, then there is no need to look at another book for Guidance.
I must add here that people should be encouraged to talk with each other and share ideas - the problem occurs when individual's ideas are taken as sources of Guidance in ADDITION to the Qur’an. This is exactly what God tells them:
“Is it not enough for them that We have revealed to you the Book, which is recited to them? Most surely there is a mercy in this and a reminder for a people who believe” (29:51)
The Muslim, however, refuses this “Mercy” and ties himself up in shackles of Hadith and tradition, and insists that the Book of God is not enough for him.
With all of the above evidence, he still cannot give up Hadith.
Peace and Respect!
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