What is the Hadith?
This article is limited to a brief introduction of the hadith literature. It is not a comprehensive examination or explanation. For more detailed information see these two articles on the Answering Islam website (1, 2). Both referenced articles expand upon what is introduced in this explanation. Read more...
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The problem for the Muslim lies in the fact that these 5 clearly expressed Pillars of the Islamic faith are not clearly commanded in the Qur’an as they are in this single Hadith quote. Muslims can skip around the Qur’an with both clear and vague references to each of the 5 Pillars, but nowhere in the Qur’an are the 5 Pillars expressed as a unified set of beliefs as clearly as they are expressed in this single Hadith. Allah has many commands in the Qur’an such as the command to not befriend non-Muslims (5:51) and the Qur’an is not clear which 5 are given special treatment and unified. Absent the Hadith literature, it is impossible for a Muslim to explain why these 5 commands are to be regarded as the Pillars of Islam and not any other commands in the Qur.
While the Quran is typically a single volume, the Hadith literature for Sunni Muslims comprises 6 sets of books. There are 6 recognized Hadith collections and all are currently published in English with Arabic text: Sahih Al-Bukhari (9 Volumes) Sahih Muslim (7 Volumes) Sunan Abu-Dawud (5 Volumes) Sunan An-Nasa’i (6 Volumes) Sunan Ibn-Mahah (5 Volumes) Jami’ Tirmidhi (6 Volumes) As you can see from the list above, the Hadith literature is voluminous (38 volumes) when compared to the Qur’an. The Hadith literature contains thousands of short stories and sayings and many are repeated with slight variations. In summary, the Hadith literature are essential for understanding Islamic religious practices and Islamic history. A practicing Muslim cannot ignore the commentary, explanation and religious guidance which the Hadith literature provide. Muslims will never claim inspiration of the Hadith as they do the Qur’an, but they follow the Hadith as though it were inspired. The Hadith literature are uninspired in word, but inspired through their deeds. These books are the uninspired/inspired works of Islam. |
The Hadith: The Traditions of Islam http://answering-islam.org/Gilchrist/Vol1/6a.html
The Hadis and Sunnah: http://answering-islam.org/Nehls/Ask/sunnah.html
The Hadis and Sunnah: http://answering-islam.org/Nehls/Ask/sunnah.html