Basics of Religious Education — Page 91
91 91 91 91 91 B ASICS OF R ELIGIOUS E DUCATION - F IFTH E DITION Definition of Hadith Intr Intr Intr Intr Introduction to oduction to oduction to oduction to oduction to Ahadith Ahadith Ahadith Ahadith Ahadith Hadith is an Arabic word (its plural is Ahadith ). The word Hadith means ‘a new statement, or a statement that is put in a new way’. Since the speech of the Holy Prophet Muhammad sa always contained new and wonderful truths and valuable ideas, it has been termed Hadith. Thus Hadith means (i) the words actually spoken by the Holy Prophet sa , or (ii) words that describe an observed incident related to the Holy Prophet sa ’s life. The Ahadith were narrated by the companions of the Holy Prophet sa and Muslim narrators. Their compilation started about 100 years after Hijrah and it continued during a period of about 200 years, i. e. , up to about 300 Hijrah. If a Hadith does not conflict with a verse of the Holy Qur’an, or with a more reliable Hadith, it is the duty of every Muslim to accept it as true and act upon it throughout one’s life. This is so because the Holy Qur'an (3:133) commands us: ‘Obey Allah and the Prophet’. Unfortunately, some Muslim sects do not give it the importance it deserves. The Promised Messiah as writes, in his famous book ‘ Kashti-e Nooh ’: ‘. . After the Holy Qur’an, the greatest blessing the Muslims have received is the Sunnah. ’ No doubt, the Holy Qur’an is the revealed word of God and contains broad principles of guidance for mankind. The Sunnah , on the other hand, is the practical example of the Holy Prophet sa that demonstrates the Qur’anic principles. Hence the Holy Prophet sa transformed into action the word of Allah by his Sunnah and thus it provides a simple solution of complex problems. The Hadith is the spoken word of the Holy Prophet sa and serves as a supporting witness for Sunnah. The Hadith, however, is important as it is a Importance of Ahadith Explanatory position of Sunnah and supportive Position of Hadith 3. 1 3. 1 3. 1 3. 1 3. 1 A A A A A HADITH HADITH HADITH HADITH HADITH — I — I — I — I — I NTRODUCTION NTRODUCTION NTRODUCTION NTRODUCTION NTRODUCTION TO TO TO TO TO A A A A A HADITH HADITH HADITH HADITH HADITH