What is Hadith?
Oral Traditions which Became Volumes of Written Traditions
This body of literature, which remained an oral tradition among the Arab and Muslim, people took full fruition during the lifetime of Muhammad’s closes companions. However, whereas the closest companions of Prophet Muhammad narrated very few oral traditions their predecessors would go on to narrate thousands drawing numerous students who spread their teachings throughout the Islamic world. Predecessors such as Abu Hurairah who narrated 5374 hadith compared to the prophet’s best friend Abu Bakr who narrated less than 500. This is clearly shown in the Shariah: Islamic Law by Doi on page 59, a chart on the source of Hadith transmissions.
The legacy of this oral endeavor has taken the form of printed books from those historical personages like Imam Bhukari (810-870 A.D) who collected and wrote down the resulting sayings which had previously been verbally passed down. These sayings became volumes of Hadith or traditions that were previously told and retold into variant languages around the Islamic world before Bhukari and others collected them. These printed books came to be known as Sahih Bukhari, Sahih Muslim, Sunan Daud, and others.
Authentic Versus Authenticated
The Hadith or traditions were classified according to their perceived authenticity. Scholars, like Imam Bhukari, sifted thru the many traditions to determine what of the hadith were authentic and what were fabricated. There were many fabricated hadith even some which developed during the time of the prophet. Those that were deemed authentic were then loosely termed “authenticated.” This implies that the Hadith that were given approval by the Hadith scientist were believed to be genuine sayings and actions of Prophet Muhammad.
Authenticated, however, does not mean authentic. It means that the appointed authorities while evaluating a particular hadith believed the saying to be valid based on their interpretation of the information in front of them. In the case of Hadith, if the chain of transmitters (those who passed down the oral sayings to others who passed them on to others, etc.) is unbroken that improves the chances of a given hadith being granted authentication. If the chain of transmitters prove to be truthful people who were known to have an excellent memory then the chances of a hadith gaining further approval was increased.
Classification of Hadith
What has resulted is a classification of hadith into categories of genuine (Sahih), strong (hasan), weak (da’if), and fabricated. The science of classification of hadith is developed in the light of two techniques; is it complementary with the Quran and are the chain of transmitters intact. The first one is simple; one simply makes sure that the hadith being related does contradict with what is written in the Muslim holy book and good common sense. The second method is to look at the chain of transmitters of any given hadith to see if any transmitter of a given hadith is considered faulty in memory or faulty in reliability. However, to test the reliability and memories of a transmitter one must rely on other sources of information and trust in their reliability; whether that source is a descendent of someone who knew the transmitter or another hadith that relates the reliability of the transmitter.
Hadith's Place In Islam
As such, although the hadith may contain some version of the memory of those who sat close to the prophet they can hardly represent an authoritative text closely approximating the Quran whose authenticity is not in question. At best they can offer some guidance to those among the Muslims who choose to be receptive to its information. There are many wonderful stories found in the Hadith literature that give some insight into the world in which the prophet lived. However, it would be best if groups and nations refrain from using them to create laws that can’t be sustained by Quran. Laws that have been used to oppress groups of people such as beating women for not wearing a burka or hijab, and men for not wearing a full beard. Such laws have had the effect of creating a fear of women drivers and hatred towards non Muslims residing in Islamic lands. Misinterpretations have created divisions among Muslims so deep that in this day and time they appear irreparable.
The Quran is the only Holy Book untainted, unrevised, and free of any need to classify some of it verses as strong and some weak. For it, the Quran, stands as the only religious book on the planet free of changes and adjustments. The hadith literature although rich with historical sayings and beliefs, ought to be fully analyzed and assessed in the light of Quran.
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