The prime sources of the religion of Islam are the Qur'ān and the Hadīth. The Qur'ān is the word of Allāh. Rasūlullāh Sallallāhu alaihi wasallam did not have any link with its composition. It was revealed to him as it is now read. Whilst the Qur'ān provides the Muslim Ummah with the primary rules for an Islamic code of life, there are many matters where further guidance is necessary, about which the Qur'ān is silent. For instance, the Qur'ān orders Muslims to "establish salāt" but does not provide the details for its methods nor its specific timings. These details are found in the Hadīth. Thus the sunnah of Rasūlullāh Sallallāhu alaihi wasallam constitutes an important source of the shariah, second in authority after the Qur'ān.

The Qur'ān repeatedly stresses on the obedience of Rasūlullāh Sallallāhu alaihi wasallam to such an extent that it is mentioned side by side with the obedience of Allāh Ta`ālā.

Allāh Ta`ālā says: "And obey Allāh and the messenger so that you may be blessed." (3:132)

"O those who believe, obey Allāh and obey the messenger and render not your actions in vain." (47:33)

Likewise, Rasūlullāh Sallallāhu alaihi wasallam also emphasized the importance of his Sunnah. During the sermon of the farewell pilgrimage (Hajjatul Wadā), Rasūlullāh Sallallāhu alaihi wasallam is reported to have said:

"I leave behind two things, if you hold fast unto them, you shall never go astray: the Book of Allāh and my Sunnah". (Sahih Bukhari)

Therefore just as one has to believe in and practise upon what is mentioned in the Qur'ān, similarly it is imperative to uphold the sunnah of Rasūlullāh  Sallallāhu alaihi wasallam and practise upon it.

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The Qur'ān as well as the Hadīth are necessary for the total and complete guidance of all mankind from the era of Rasūlullāh Sallallāhu alaihi wasallam till the day of Judgement. This necessitates that the Qur'ān and Hadīth be preserved in their pristine purity as an available source of guidance in every age and time. It is against the divine wisdom of Allāh Ta`ālā that he commands people to follow the Qur'ān and the teachings of Rasūlullāh Sallallāhu alaihi wasallam when they are not available free from all alterations and changes. This fact is sufficient to establish that the Qur'ān and the Sunnah of Rasūlullāh Sallallāhu alaihi wasallam which is necessary for achieving divine guidance, shall as a whole, remain available and untainted in a reliable manner forever. The preservation of the Qur'ān has been clearly guaranteed by Allāh Ta`ālā.

Says Allāh Ta`ālā: "Indeed We have revealed the zikr (i.e. the Qur'ān) and surely We will preserve it." (15:9)

Hereunder follows a brief account of how the Ahādīth were preserved from the era of Rasūlullāh Sallallāhu alaihi wasallam till it reached us.

Firstly the companions of Rasūlullāh Sallallāhu alaihi wasallam i.e. the Sahāba used to learn Ahādīth by heart. The Arabs had very strong memories. They could easily memorize hundreds of verses of poetry. The Sahāba Radiallāhu `anhum utilised their memories for preserving the Ahādīth which they deemed to be the main source of guidance after the Qur'ān.

Abu Hurairah Radiallāhu `anhu, the famous companion of Rasūlullāh Sallallāhu alaihi wasallam who has reported approximately 5374 Ahādīth says: "I have divided my night into three parts. In one third of the night, I perform salāh, in one third I sleep and in one third I memorize the Ahādīth of Rasūlullāh Sallallāhu alaihi wasallam.

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The second source of preservation of Ahādīth was by mutual discussions held by the Sahāba Radiallāhu `anhum. The Sahāba would tell each other what they learnt from Rasūlullāh Sallallāhu alaihi wasallam. Rasūlullāh Sallallāhu alaihi wasallam also motivated the Sahāba to study the Ahādīth in their gatherings and meetings. It was the most favourite hobby of the Sahāba Radiallāhu `anhum, whenever they sat together, to discuss Rasūlullāh’s Sallallāhu alaihi wasallam sayings and actions instead of being involved in useless talks. Each of them would mention what he knew while the others would listen and try to learn it by heart.

The knowledge of Sunnah was not merely a theoretical knowledge but rather something related to practical life. Rasūlullāh Sallallāhu alaihi wasallam did not confine himself to giving lessons and sermons only. He also trained his Sahāba practically. Whatever they learnt, they spared no effort to bring it into practice. Each Sahābi had great fervour to follow Rasūlullāh Sallallāhu alaihi wasallam and imitate him even in his personal habits.

Many Sahāba used to write what they heard from Rasūlullāh Sallallāhu alaihi wasallam. In the beginning, Rasūlullāh Sallallāhu alaihi wasallam had prevented some of the Sahāba from writing anything other than the verses of the Qur'ān. This was because it was feared that the Qur'ānic verses would be confused with the Ahādīth. However, all this was in the earlier period of Islam. When the Sahāba became fully conversant with the style of the Qur'ān, that prohibition was lifted, because the danger of confusion between the Qur'ān and Hadīth no longer existed. Thereafter Rasūlullāh Sallallāhu alaihi wasallam himself instructed the Sahāba Radiallāhu `anhum to write the Ahādīth.

Anas ( Ra iallāhu `anhu) reports that Rasūlullāh Sallallāhu alaihi wasallam said: "Preserve knowledge by writing". (Jamiu bayānil Ilm of Ibn Abdul Barr)

Many Ahādīth were dictated by Rasūlullāh Sallallāhu alaihi wasallam. Similarly, many Sahāba possessed various scripts of Ahādīth which they wrote themselves. Amongst them are Abu Hurairah, Abdullah bin Amr, Anas bin Malik, Jābir, Ibn Abbas Radiallāhu `anhum.

Threafter the Tabi`īn (successors of the Sahāba) learnt the Ahādīth from the Sahāba and also preserved them by writing. The compilation of Ahādīth was undertaken officially by the famous Khalifa Umar bin Abdul Aziz, during the period 99-101AH. One of the books written in the days of the Tabi`īn was the script of Hammam Ibn Munabbih, a student of Abu Hurairah ( Ra iallāhu `anhu). In 1373 A.H. (i.e. 1954) two manuscripts of this book were discovered in the libraries of Berlin and Damascus. Like this, in every century, the scholars of Islam compiled books of Hadīth and thus today we can benefit from the treasure of Ahādīth through the grace of Allāh Ta`ālā, the untiring efforts of the Sahāba Radiallāhu `anhum and the scholars of Islam in the field of preserving Hadīth. Hence, the divine wisdom of Allāh Ta’ala manifests itself and till the day of Qiyamah, the Qur'ān and Hadīth will be preserved in their pristine purity as an available source of guidance for mankind (Insha Allāh). Pluck its fruits and gain salvation in both the worlds.

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(English Titles)

1. The Authority of the Sunnah  by Mufti Taqi Uthmani

2. Imam Tirmidhi by Moulana Abdul Qādir Husain

3. Mishkāt Al-Masabeeh by Moulana Yunus Osman

4. An Introduction to Hadīth by Prof. Abdur Rahmān Doi

Published By: Madrasah Arabia Islamia, P. O. Box 9786, Azādville , 1750, South Africa
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