Do you want to write a book (of Hadith) apart from the Book of Allah (Quran)? The previous nations (Jews and Christians) only got deviated (from the right way) when they wrote books with the Book of Allah. [Quote from the Prophet (peace be upon him)]
This document contains; Fitna; Zalalah, Bid’a [Discord, Misdirection and Deviation]. The people of the books perished before you by leaving the book of Allah following other books. [Abdullah bin Masood (Razi Allah)]
The Prophet (pbuh) is the role model for the Muslims, he is known as living Quran, his Sunnah (practices) followed by Muslims and Hadiths (statements) revered. Since he strictly followed the Quran hence his acts and statements (Hadiths) have to be in conformity with the Quran, Sunnah and Reason, the criteria laid down by him.
Let us take an allegory: If some Speaker (important personality) is delivering a talk and some people among the audience prepare notes and if one compares and carries out scrutiny of these notes one may find that they differ. However, there could be some common points as well. It’s common practice that the reporters narrate different stories after attending a press conference. The speaker keeps issuing clarification, but who cares!
If one or some among the audience narrates the contents of these notes to others and after two centuries someone compiles a book claiming to be the book of the Speaker (important personality), is it fair? Neither the original speaker verified those private individual notes nor the closest people to him did. Had it been very important the speaker could have ensured that his statements are recorded accurately instead of leaving it at the discretion of people.
What if one finds that the Speaker (important personality) though had accorded permission to some people to take notes to but specifically had forbidden to compile or make a book or books out of those notes? He only allowed oral transmission because he had already given them The Book, and does not want any other book besides that Book.
What if we find that much later, the closest followers and friends of the Speaker (important personality) after thorough deliberation had also forbidden making books out of the private notes considering The Book to be adequate.
Is it morally correct to defy the instructions of the speaker and produce books on his name? Anyone doing so even in the present era will be charged for copyright violation and be punished in a court of law, but in religious matters anyone may do whatever he desires by justifying defiance through a heap of arguments! And the learned people also look the other way rather than correcting the error. It is common practice among the pious people to indulge in lying in Hadith matters [Saheeh Muslim # 40]
There are many Hadiths, which mention that “Hadith Writing” was banned by Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) (conforming to the verses from the Quran 77:50, 7:185, 45;6, 52:34).
The permission granted to some people individually to write notes due to poor memory is used to justify “Hadith Book” which is against the Quran, Sunnah of the Prophet (pbuh) and Rightly Guided Caliphs. Distinction must be made about ‘private notes’ for memorization and writing “Hadith Books”.
Another book with the Book of Allah?
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: [ أَكِتَابًا غَيْرَ كِتَابِ اللَّهِ تُرِيدُونَ؟] Do you want to write a book (of Hadith) apart from the Book of Allah (Quran)?
This is original script of Hadith # 15, Tqyad Ilm, Al-Bghdadi] with translation:
أَخْبَرَنَا أَبُو الْقَاسِمِ عَبْدُ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنُ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ السَّرَّاجُ ، بِنَيْسَابُورَ , حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو الْعَبَّاسِ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَعْقُوبَ الأَصَمُّ , حَدَّثَنَا الْعَبَّاسُ الدُّورِيُّ ، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ عَمْرٍو ، قَالَ : حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنُ زَيْدِ بْنِ أَسْلَمَ ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ ، عَنْ عَطَاءِ بْنِ يَسَارٍ ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ ، قَالَ : خَرَجَ عَلَيْنَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَنَحْنُ نَكْتُبُ الأَحَادِيثَ , فَقَالَ : ” مَا هَذَا الَّذِي تَكْتُبُونَ ؟ ” , قُلْنَا : أَحَادِيثَ سَمِعْنَاهَا مِنْكَ , قَالَ : ” أَكِتَابًا غَيْرَ كِتَابِ اللَّهِ تُرِيدُونَ ؟ مَا أَضَلَّ الأُمَمَ مِنْ قَبْلِكُمْ إِلا مَا اكْتَتَبُوا مِنَ الْكُتُبِ مَعَ كِتَابِ اللَّهِ ” . قَالَ أَبُو هُرَيْرَةَ ، فَقُلْتُ : أَنَتَحَدَّثُ عَنْكَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ؟ قَالَ : ” نَعَمْ , تَحَدَّثُوا عَنِّي وَلا حَرَجَ ، فَمَنْ كَذَبَ عَلَيَّ مُتَعَمِّدًا فَلْيَتَبَوَّأْ مَقْعَدَهُ مِنَ النَّارِ ” . كَذَا رَوَى لَنَا السَّرَّاجُ هَذَا الْحَدِيثَ , وَرَوَاهُ غَيْرُ الأَصَمِّ , عَنِ الْعَبَّاسِ الدُّورِيِّ , عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عَوْنٍ الْخَرَّازُ , عَنْ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنِ زَيْدٍ , فَاللَّهُ أَعْلَمُ [رقم الحديث : 15, تقييد-العلم-للخطيب]
Notes: Hadith # 15
Abu al-Qasim Abdul Rahman bin Muhammad bin Abdullah al-Sarraj, Benisapur, Abu Abbas Muhammad bin Ya’qub al-Assam, Al-Abbas al-Douri, Abdullah bin Amr, he told us: Abdul Rahman bin Zaid bin Aslam told us about his father, about Ataa ibn Yasar, about Abu Hurra, he said: The Messenger of Allah came to us and we write hadiths. And he said, “What is this that you are writing?” I said, Whatever Hadith we hear from you. He said: “The previous nations (Jews and Christians) were only deviated (from the right way) when they wrote books with the Book of Allah.” Abu Hurra said, “Can we talk about you, O’ Messenger of Allah.” He said: “Yes, you can talk about me and there is nothing wrong with that, but whosoever deliberately lied about me, let him take his seat in the fire.” Al-Sarraj told us this talk, and narrated by the Asim Al Abbas al-Douri, about Abdullah bin Aoun al-Kharraz, about Abdul Rahman bin Zeid, Allah knows best [Hadith # 15, Tqyad Ilm, Al-Bghdadi]
رقم الحديث : 16
أَخْبَرَنَا الْحَسَنُ بْنُ عَلِيٍّ التَّمِيمِيُّ , أَخْبَرَنَا أَحْمَدُ بْنُ جَعْفَرِ بْنِ حَمْدَانَ , حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ أَحْمَدَ , حَدَّثَنَا أَبِي , حَدَّثَنَا إِسْحَاقُ بْنُ عِيسَى , حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنُ زَيْدٍ . وَأَخْبَرَنَا أَحْمَدُ بْنُ أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ الْقَطِيعِيُّ , أَخْبَرَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ الْمُظَفَّرِ , حَدَّثَنَا قَاسِمُ بْنُ زَكَرِيَّا الْمُطَرِّزُ , حَدَّثَنِي عَلِيُّ بْنُ سَهْلٍ , حَدَّثَنَا أَبِي , حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنُ زَيْدِ بْنِ أَسْلَمَ , عَنْ أَبِيهِ , عَنْ عَطَاءِ بْنِ يَسَارٍ , عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ , قَالَ : خَرَجَ عَلَيْنَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَنَحْنُ نَكْتُبُ الأَحَادِيثَ ، فَقَالَ : ” مَا هَذَا الَّذِي تَكْتُبُونَ ؟ قُلْنَا : أَحَادِيثَ نَسْمَعُهَا مِنْكَ , قَالَ : ” كِتَابٌ غَيْرَ كِتَابِ اللَّهِ ؟ ! أَتَدْرُونَ مَا ضَلَّ الأُمَمَ قَبْلَكُمْ ؟ أَلا بِمَا اكْتَتَبُوا مِنَ الْكُتُبِ مَعَ كِتَابِ اللَّهِ تَعَالَى ” . قُلْنَا : أَنُحَدِّثُ عَنْكَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ؟ قَالَ : ” حَدِّثُوا عَنِّي وَلا حَرَجَ ، وَمَنْ كَذَبَ عَلَيَّ مُتَعَمِّدًا فَلْيَتَبَوَّأْ مَقْعَدَهُ مِنَ النَّارِ ” . قُلْنَا : فَنَتَحَدَّثُ عَنْ بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ ؟ قَالَ : ” حَدِّثُوا وَلا حَرَجَ ، فَإِنَّكُمْ لَمْ تُحَدِّثُوا عَنْهُمْ بِشَيْءٍ إِلا وَقَدْ كَانَ فِيهِمْ أَعْجَبُ مِنْهُ ” . قَالَ أَبُو هُرَيْرَةَ : فَجَمَعْنَاهَا فِي صَعِيدٍ وَاحِدٍ فَأَلْقَيْنَاهَا فِي النَّارِ . هَذَا لَفْظُ حَدِيثِ الْقَطِيعِيِّ , وَالآخَرُ بِمَعْنَاهُ , إِلا أَنَّهُ قَالَ فِيهِ : ” أَكِتَابٌ مَعَ كِتَابِ اللَّهِ ؟ أَمْحِضُوا كِتَابَ اللَّهِ وَأَخْلِصُوهُ ” . [رقم الحديث : 16, تقييد-العلم-للخطيب]
Notes : Hadith Number: 16
Abu Hurairah said: The Messenger of Allah came out while we wrote hadiths, and he said: “What is this that you are writing? We said: Hadiths, as we hear from you, he said: “A book other than the book of Allah! You know what previous nations have deviated before you? Other than what they wrote with the Book of Allah.” We said: We may talk about you, Messenger of Allah? He said: “You may talk about me and there is nothing wrong with that, and whoever lied about me deliberately should take his seat in the fire.” We said: can we talk about the children of Israel? He said: “There is nothing wrong with them, because you have not talked about them except that they were impressed by it.” Abu Hurrirah said: So, we burnt them. This is the word hadith we heard, and the other in its meaning, but it says in it: A book with the Book of God? Purify the Book of God and save it. [Hadith # 16 Tqyad Ilm, Al-Bghdadi]
رقم الحديث : 18
أَخْبَرَنَا الْقَاضِي أَبُو عُمَرَ الْقَاسِمُ بْنُ جَعْفَرِ بْنِ عَبْدِ الْوَاحِدِ الْهَاشِمِيُّ بِالْبَصْرَةِ , حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو عَلِيٍّ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ عَمْرٍو اللُّؤْلُئِيُّ , حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو دَاوُدَ سُلَيْمَانُ بْنُ الأَشْعَثِ , حَدَّثَنَا نَصْرُ بْنُ عَلِيٍّ ، أَخْبَرَنَا أَبُو أَحْمَدَ ، حَدَّثَنَا كَثِيرُ بْنُ زَيْدٍ ، عَنِ الْمُطَّلِبِ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ حَنْطَبٍ ، قَالَ : دَخَلَ زَيْدُ بْنُ ثَابِتٍ عَلَى مُعَاوِيَةَ ، فَسَأَلَهُ عَنْ حَدِيثٍ ، فَأَمَرَ إِنْسَانًا يَكْتُبْهُ ، فَقَالَ لَهُ زَيْدٌ : إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ , صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ ” أَمَرَنَا أَنْ لا نَكْتُبَ شَيْئًا مِنْ حَدِيثِهِ ” , فَمَحَاهُ . أَخْبَرَنَا أَبُو طَاهِرٍ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ الْحَسَنِ النَّاقِدُ , أَخْبَرَنَا أَحْمَدُ بْنُ جَعْفَرٍ الْقَطِيعِيُّ ، حَدَّثَنَا جَعْفَرُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ الْفِيرْيَابِيُّ , حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ رَافِعٍ , حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ الزُّبَيْرِ , حَدَّثَنَا كَثِيرٌ وَهُوَ ابْنُ زَيْدٍ , بِإِسْنَادِهِ نَحْوَهُ . [رقم الحديث : 16, تقييد-العلم-للخطيب]
Summary Hadith # 18
Zayed bin Thabet came to Mawya, so he asked him about a Hadith, so he ordered a man to write it, and Zaid told him that, the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), ordered them not to write anything from his hadith,” so he erased it. [Hadith # 18 Tqyad Ilm, Al-Bghdadi],
There is big collection of Hadiths on prohibition and writing in the book “Taqyad Ilm” written by fifth century scholar Khateeb Al Baghdadi[ تقييد العلم للخطيب البغدادي, https://bit.ly/2Iv3MkZ ].
More Hadith Notes on Prohibition of Hadith Writing
- Abu Hurayrah said: We were sitting down writing what we heard from the Prophet. He entered the room and asked us: What are you writing? We said: We are writing what we hear from you. He said: Another book next to the book of Allah? We said: It is what we hear from you. He said: Then write the book of Allah, uphold the book of Allah, no other books but the book of Allah, uphold the book of Allah. Abu Hurayrah said: So, we collected all that we wrote and burnt it. Then we asked the Prophet: Can we talk about you? He said: Yes, you can and feel no shame about it, and whoever lies about me deliberately his seat in hell will be secured. Abu Hurayrah said: Can we talk about Bani Israel? He said: Yes, you can and feel no shame of it. [Musnad Ahmad, Hadith Number 10611]
- Abu Sa’id Khudri reported that Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) said: Do not take down anything from me, and he who took down anything from me except the Qur’an, he should efface that and narrate from me, for there is no harm in it and he who attributed any falsehood to me-and Hammam said: I think he also said: “deliberately”-he should in fact find his abode in the Hell-Fire. [Sahih Muslim Book 042, Hadith Number 7147]
- Narrated Zayd ibn Thabit: Al-Muttalib ibn Abdullah ibn Hantab said: Zayd ibn Thabit entered upon Mu’awiyah and asked him about a tradition. He ordered a man to write it. Zayd said: The Apostle of Allah (peace be upon him) ordered us not to write any of his traditions. So, he erased it. [Sunan Abu-Dawud Book 25, Hadith Number 3640]
- Ismail told us that Hammam ibn Yahya narrated from Zaid ibn Aslam who narrated from Yasar who stated that Abi Saeed said: The messenger of Allah said, “Do not write anything I say but the Quran and whoever writes anything but the Quran should delete it.” [Musnad Ahmad, Hadith Number 10713]
- Shu’aib told us that Hammam said that Zaid ibn Aslam narrated from Ibn Yassar who stated that Abi Saeed said: The messenger of Allah said, “Do not write anything I say except the Quran and whoever writes anything but the Quran should delete it.” [Musnad Ahmad, Hadith Number 10715]
- Yazid told us that Hammam ibn Yahya narrated from Zaid ibn Aslam who narrated from Yassar who said that Abi Saeed stated: The messenger of Allah said, “Do not write anything I say except the Quran and whoever writes anything but the Quran should delete it.” [Musnad Ahmad, Hadith Number 10781]
- Abu Ubayda told us that Hammam ibn Yahya narrated from Zaid ibn Aslam who narrated from Yassar who stated that Abi Saeed said: The messenger of Allah said, “Do not write anything I say except the Quran and whoever writes anything [besides it] should delete it.” [ Musnad Ahmad, Hadith Number 10966]
- Affan told us that Hammam told us that Zaid ibn Aslam narrated from Ibn Yassar who stated that Abi Saeed said: The messenger of Allah said do not write anything I say but the Quran and whoever writes anything but the Quran should delete it. [Musnad Ahmad, Hadith Number 11160]
- Ali (R.A) narrated that the Prophet said: Whoever among the oppressive abandons it (Quran), Allah crushes him, and whoever seeks guidance from other than it (Quran), then Allah leaves him to stray. [English reference: Vol. 5, Book 42, Hadith 2906, Arabic reference: Book 45, Hadith 3153]
Individual Permission to Write for People with Poor Memory:
Some Hadiths are mentioned in which the Prophet (peace be upon him) permitted some people with poor memory to write, but this permission was specific to the person seeking permission. It was not general permission to all because each one of them individually requested for the permission.
أَبَا هُرَيْرَةَ، يَقُولُ: مَا كَانَ أَحَدٌ أَحْفَظُ لِحَدِيثِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ , صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ , مِنِّي إِلَّا عَبْدَ اللَّهِ بْنَ عَمْرٍو فَإِنِّي كُنْتُ أَعِي بِقَلْبِي وَيَعِي بِقَلْبِهِ وَيَكْتُبُ , فَاسْتَأْذَنَ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ , صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ , فَأَذِنَ لَهُ
Abu Hurayrah, narrated that no one memorized more Hadith than him except Abdullah bin Amr who used to write, he was granted permission by the Prophet (peace be upon him). [Tqyad ilm, p-82]
أَبِي سَعِيدٍ الْخُدْرِيِّ , قَالَ: قُلْتُ لَهُ: ” أَلَا نَكْتُبُ مَا نَسْمَعُ مِنْكَ , قَالَ: تُرِيدُونَ أَنْ تَجْعَلُوهَا مَصَاحِفَ؟ فَإِنَّ نَبِيَّكُمْ , صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ , كَانَ يُحَدِّثُنَا فَاحْفَظُوا مِنَّا , كَمَا حَفِظْنَا ” وَاللَّفْظُ لِحَدِيثِ عَلِيٍّ
Abu Sa’eed Khudhri said: I said to him: write what we hear from you, he said: You want to make copies of the Quran? The Prophet, peace be upon him, used to talk and we used to keep it in memory so likewise keep the words we talk in memory. [Tqyid Ilm, p-36]
قَالَ: قُلْتُ لِأَبِي سَعِيدٍ: أَكْتِبْنِي أَحَادِيثَ , قَالَ: أَتَتَّخِذُونَهُ قُرْآنًا؟ اسْمَعُوا كَمَا كُنَّا نَسْمَعُ
Write down the hadiths. He said: Do not make it a Qur’an. Listen as we have heard [Tqyid Ilm, p-37]
Some companions were not accorded permission by the Prophet (peace be upon him) to write Hadith.
From Abu Sa’id to Ata ‘ibn Yasir, he said: The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace did not allow me to write a hadith and Bukhari said: He refused to allow me to write a hadith. [Tqayed Ilm, p-32]
فَإِنَّا لَا نَكْتُبُ فِي الصُّحُفِ إِلَّا الرَّسَائِلَ وَالْقُرْآنَ لَفْظُ أَبِي خَيْثَمَةَ
Permission to some individuals due to poor memory or official letters, correspondence, instructions for complex financial transactions (blood money, zakat etc) and records does not override the main ban on “Book Writing” otherwise there would have been many books of Hadith in the 1st century rather than in the 3rd century.
Rightly Guided Caliphs
The most important and close companions of the Prophet (peace be upon him) are the Four Rightly Guided Caliphs who were authorised to take care of different matters after the Prophet (peace be upon him) and all of them continued with the policy of “Hadith Book Ban” derived from the statements of Prophet:
“Verily he among you who lives long will see great controversy, so you must keep to my Sunnah and to the Sunnah of the Khulafa ar-Rashideen (the rightly guided caliphs), those who guide to the right way. Cling to it stubbornly [literally: with your molar teeth]” [Abu Dawud] It was related by at-Tirmidhi, who said that it was a good and sound Hadith. [ 40 Hadith Nawawi 28, English translation: Hadith 28]
Umar was the best in righteousness after the Prophets and Abu Bakr. Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said, “Follow the example of the two who come after me, Abu Bakr and Umar. (Tirmidhi:)
Abu Bakr (632–634 CE)
Abu Bakr, the first Caliph was resolute about this original prohibition of recording of hadiths. His opinion regarding hadiths is reflected by his alleged comment after the death of the Prophet:
“If anyone amongst you used to worship Muhammad, then Muhammad is dead, but if you used to worship God, then God is Alive and shall never die.”
As there was a growing number of very contradictory narrations about the Prophet among his disciples, Abu Bakr imposed a complete ban on the writing of hadiths. Not only that he burnt his collection of 500 hadiths and made no distinction between the true and the fabricated hadiths, he delivered this message to the public:
“Do not narrate or transmit any saying from God’s messenger. Tell those who would like you to tell hadiths: Behold! God’s Book is with us, abide by what has been made lawful for you in the Quran and avoid what has been prohibited therein.” (From Book Tazkiratul-Huffaz)
Umar ibn al-Khattab, (634–644 CE)
The book; “Hadith As Scripture: Discussions on the Authority of Prophetic Traditions in Islam” By Aisha Y. Musa, Phd is a great research work on the subject. According to a book review: This book treats the debate among Muslims over the authority of Hadith, which by the ninth century had been raised to the level of scripture. The author’s main purpose is to show that modern Muslim thinkers who question its status as a source of law are not the first ones to do so and thus cannot be dismissed as inauthentic aberrations or the results of a western, colonialist plot to undermine Islam.
The second Caliph, Omar was particularly strict in this regard. His constant dictum to the people was ‘hasbuna kitabullah’ (‘The Quran is sufficient for us’).
According to a hadith: “When Muhammad was sick on his death bed, he asked his companions to bring him pen and paper so that he could write them something for their salvation. When one of his companions rushed out to bring pen and paper he was stopped by Omar ibn Khattab. Reportedly, Omar told him: “The Prophet has a high fever; he does not know what he is saying. God’s book is sufficient for us!” Everyone in the room accepted what Omar said.” (Bukhari: Jihad 176, Jizya 6, Ilm 49, Marza 17, Magazi 83, Itisam 2; Muslim: Vasiyya 20-22; Ibn Hanbal 1/222, 324, 336, 355)
Omar was quoted as stating that initially he had desired to write down a collection of the Prophet’s sayings, but refrained for fear of the Muslims choosing to abandon the teachings of the Quran in favor of the Hadith:
“I wanted to write the Sun’an, and I remembered the people who were before you, they wrote other books to follow and abandoned the book of God. And I will never, I swear, replace God’s book with anything.” (Jama ul Biyaan)
During Omar’s rule there was a considerable increase in the number of hadiths. He ordered all the pages on which were written the hadiths that were in the hands of the public to be brought to him and then the entire collection to be burnt. He also sent letters to the Prophet’s companions living in other cities asking them to destroy all the copies of hadiths in their hands.
He said to a team of Qarza bin Ka’ab who were ready for a journey to Iraq:
“You are going to a country where people recite the Quran so much that the voice of the Quran echoes there like busy bees; so do not divert them from the Quran and from their true path by narrating hadiths. Qarza says, after that day, they did not remember narrating any hadith again.” (Jama ul Biyaan)
Omar was infuriated by hadith narrators like Qa’ab and Abu Hurayra, and drew a parallel between the hadiths and the Mishnah that had corrupted Judaism, saying:
“These are like the Mishnah of the Jewish people.”
Omar was so categorical against transmission of hadith that when he saw Abi bin Qa’ab narrating hadiths, he went after him with his big cane (Tazkiratul-Huffaz).
Then Abu Huraira – the most prominent hadith narrator was recorded as having admitted himself his trouble with Omar: “Abu Hurayra said: We could not utter ‘God’s Messenger spoke thus’, before Omar died.” (Muslim) “Abu Hurayra said: If I transmitted these hadiths during the lifetime of Omar, he would surely strike me.” (Zahabi, Tazkiratul-Huffaz)
Here are a few other references:
“Omar said: Remember those that went before you, they had books written and abandoned God’s Book. I shall not allow anyone to compare any book with the Quran.”
“Omar said: By God, I shall not let any book cast a shadow on the Quran.”
In matters of hadith Omar had no reservations at all, even for the companions of the Prophet. He reprimanded Abdullah bin Masood, Abu Durda and Abu Zahry for narrating hadiths and kept all three of them under house arrest in Medina as long as he lived.
“Shay’bee said: I remained in the company of Omar for full one year, but never heard any hadith from him.”
Hazrat Umar’s (R.A) ban on Hadith Writing
“Abu-Dhahabi reports: The Caliph Abu-Bakr compiled a work, in which there were 500 traditions of the Prophet, and handed it over to his daughter ‘Aishah. The next morning, he took it back from her and destroyed it, saying: “I wrote what I understood; it is possible however that there should be certain things in it which did not correspond textually with what the Prophet had uttered.”
As to Umar, we learn on the authority of Ma’mar ibn Rashid that during his caliphate Umar once consulted the companions of the Prophet on the subject of codifying the Hadith. Everybody seconded the idea. Yet Umar continued to hesitate and pray to God for a whole month for guidance and enlightenment. Ultimately, he decided not to undertake the task, and said: “Former peoples neglected the Divine Books and concentrated only on the conduct of the prophets; I do not want to set up the possibility of confusion between the Divine Qur’an and the Prophet’s Hadith [Dr. Mohammad Hamidullah]
“Umar ibn al-Khattab once tried to deal with the problem of committing the Hadith to writing. The companions of the Prophet whom he consulted, encouraged him, but he was not quite sure whether he should proceed. One day, moved by God’s inspiration, he made up his mind and announced: “I wanted to have the traditions of the Prophet written down, but I fear that the Book of God might be encroached upon. Hence I shall not permit this to happen.” He therefore, changed his mind and instructed the Muslims throughout the provinces: “Whoever has a document bearing a prophetic tradition, shall destroy it.” The Hadith therefore, continued to be transmitted orally and was not collected and written down until the period of al-Mamun.” [Muhammad Husayn Haykal, also reported in Tqyid Ilm by Baghdadi]
Uthman ibn Affan (644–656 CE)
The third Caliph, Usman bin Affan, (Razi Allah) also did not pay any heed to the Hadith or traditions:
“Once Ali’s son came to Othman with a script of command by the Prophet about zakat. Othman asked to be excused!” (Azhir bin Saleh)
It is reported that Othman threatened Abu Hurayra with exiling him to the Desh Mountains and Kab to the Kyrada Mountains as they continued transmitting hadiths.
Ali ibn Abi Talib (656–661 CE)
Ali ibn Abi Talib, the fourth Caliph, pronounced the following statement in a khutba:
“Those who possess with them pages of hadiths should destroy them. For what causes havoc among people is their abandonment of the book of God and in abiding by the injunctions of the scholars.” (Jama e Biyaan ul Ilm, narrated by Abdullah bin Ye’saar).
Ali like several other notable sahaba including Omar, Othman and Aisha is reported to have accused Abu Huraira of fabricating false hadiths. [Allah knows best]
Misuse of Facility & Deviation:
Muslims offer obligatory Salah (Prayer) five times a day at specified periods, the number of units (fardh rakaa) is also specified for each Salah. They perform ablution with water to purify before the prayer. However, Allah in His Mercy has given relaxation under special circumstances for the convenience of people. During travels the number of Rakaa/ units of some Salah are reduced, moreover combining some Salah is also permissible. If there is shortage or non availability of water or due to medical reasons, dry ablution (Taymim) is permissible. This is to facilitate the people, because: “God does not wish to place any burden on you; He only wishes to purify you and perfect His favour to you, in order that you may be grateful” (Quran;5:6)
However, if someone tries to misuse this relaxation to regularly shorten or combine Salah and perform dry ablution while water is available in abundance and there is not medical reason, it will not be accepted and Ulema will issue edicts (Fatwas) of Bida, deviation, misguidance, innovation etc and such a person will be cursed, humiliated declared deviant heretic who is likely to be thrown out of community of Muslims as an outcast.
Similarly, while The Prophet (peace be upon him) banned Hadith writing to forbid any other book beside Book of Allah, The Glorious Quran, he also permitted writing to those individuals who had memorization problems but were keen for the knowledge of Hadiths. This specific relaxation should not be misused/ misinterpreted by anyone centuries later to justify “Hadith Book” writing, which was clearly banned by the Prophet (peace be upon him), his Sunnah practiced by rightly guided caliphs and Muslims during early centuries. The practice of Hadith writing has been called; “Discord, Misdirection and Deviation” [ فِتْنَةٌ وَضَلَالَةٌ وَبِدْعَةٌ ] by great Companion and scholar Abdullah bin Masood (may Allah be pleased with him).
Discord, Misdirection and Deviation
[ فِتْنَةٌ وَضَلَالَةٌ وَبِدْعَةٌ ]
The document contains Discord, Misdirection and Deviation [ فِتْنَةٌ وَضَلَالَةٌ وَبِدْعَةٌ ]. The people of the books perished before you by leaving the book of Allah following other books. [Abdullah bin Masood (Razi Allah)]
Extract from original Arabic:
أَجِيبُوا عَبْدَ اللَّهِ بْنَ مَسْعُودٍ فِي دَارِهِ , فَانْطَلَقَ النَّاسُ , فَذَهَبْتُ مَعَهُمْ , فَإِذَا تِلْكَ الصَّحِيفَةُ بِيَدِهِ وَقَالَ: أَلَا إِنَّ مَا فِي هَذِهِ الصَّحِيفَةِ فِتْنَةٌ وَضَلَالَةٌ وَبِدْعَةٌ , وَإِنَّمَا هَلَكَ مَنْ قَبْلَكُمْ مِنْ أَهْلِ الْكُتُبِ بِاتِّبَاعِهِمُ الْكُتُبَ وَتَرْكِهِمْ كِتَابَ اللَّهِ , وَإِنِّي أُحَرِّجُ عَلَى رَجُلٍ يَعْلَمُ مِنْهَا شَيْئًا إِلَّا دَلَّنِي عَلَيْهِ فَوَالَّذِي نَفْسُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بِيَدِهِ لَوْ أَعْلَمُ مِنْهَا صَحِيفَةً بِدَيْرِ هِنْدَ لَأَتَيْتُهَا وَلَوْ مَشْيًا عَلَى رِجْلَيَّ , فَدَعَا بِمَاءٍ فَغَسَلَ تِلْكَ الصَّحِيفَةَ (تقييد العلم ص 55)
Translation:
So that document is in his hand and he (Abdullah bin Masood) says: But what is in this document is sedition and misdirection and heresy. But the people of the books perished before you by following the other books and leaving the Book of God. I am embarrassed for a man who knows something except to show me, and who is the same Abdullah in his hand, if I knew such a document (sahifah) in a temple in India, I would have gone there to wipeout even if had to walk on my foot, so he called for water and washed that document (of Hadith). [Tqyad Ilm , p,55]
قَالَ: فَتَقَوَّضْتُ الْحَلْقَةَ , فَانْتَهَيْنَا إِلَى عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ مَسْعُودٍ , فَإِذَا الصَّحِيفَةُ فِي يَدِهِ , فَقَالَ: إِنَّ أَحْسَنَ الْهَدْيِ هَدْي مُحَمَّدٍ , صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ , وَإِنَّ أَحْسَنَ الْحَدِيثِ كِتَابُ اللَّهِ , وَإِنَّ شَرَّ الْأُمُورِ مُحْدَثَاتُهَا , وَإِنَّكُمْ تُحْدِثُونَ وَيُحْدَثُ لَكُمْ , فَإِذَا رَأَيْتُمْ مُحْدَثَةً فَعَلَيْكُمْ بِالْهُدَى الْأَوَّلِ فَإِنَّمَا أَهْلَكَ أَهْلَ الْكِتَابَيْنِ قَبْلَكُمْ , مِثْلُ هَذِهِ الصَّحِيفَةِ وَأَشْبَاهُهَا تَوَارَثُوهَا قَرْنًا بَعْدَ قَرْنٍ , حَتَّى جَعَلُوا كِتَابَ اللَّهِ خَلْفَ ظُهُوَرِهِمْ كَأَنَّهُمْ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ , فَأَنْشُدُ اللَّهَ رَجُلًا عَلِمَ مَكَانَ صَحِيفَةٍ إِلَّا أَتَانِي , فَوَاللَّهِ لَوْ عَلِمْتُهَا بِدَيْرِ هِنْدَ لَانْتَقَلْتُ إِلَيْهَا
Translation/ meanings:
He said: So the episode was undermined, so we ended up to Abdullah bin Masood, so the document is in his hand, he said: The best gift is Muhammad, peace be upon him, And the book of God is the best Hadith, and if the evil of things is happening, and you’re talking and it’s happening to you. If you see a hadith you have to do the first one. But the people of the book have been before you had such a document and similar like it inherited then century after century, until they kept the Book of God behind their backs as if they did not know. So by God if a man who knew the place of a document but came to me if I know it in the Temple (of Idols) in Hind, I would have gone there to get it. [Tqyad Ilm , p,55] [Imperfect machine translation]
Analysis:
- The Hadith prohibition has been narrated in books of Hadiths but the most important part mentioned by Khateeb Al-Baghdari in his book “Taqayed Alim”, is missing, which describes the main reason of prohibiting Hadith writing, it is:
“The previous nations (Jews and Christians) only deviated (from the right way) when they wrote books with the Book of Allah.
- Abu Hurairah and other companions were writing Hadiths, they were not writing the Quran. Hence there is no possibility of mixing Hadith with the Quran, the reason created later to justify Hadith book writing.
- The Prophet (peace be upon him) prohibited Hadith writing in clear terms repeatedly.
- This reason is a historic fact valid even today. The Jews wrote Talmud, including Mishnah and Gemara, while the Christians wrote and added 23 books with the Gospels in the New Testament which completely corrupted and changed the teachings of Jesus Christ.
- The history is witness to the fact that the reason given by the Prophet (peace be upon him) proved to be true, because these books are used to create sects, differences, debates while undermining the Quran.
- Hadith burning by Abu Huraira and others is a serious matter, it must be in the knowledge of the Prophet (peace be upon him), anyone doing it now would be burnt alive on accusation of blasphemy.
- Abu Hurairah lived for 56 more years, he died in 681CE (59AH) at the age of 78, but he is not reported to have written Hadith books after the prohibition by the Prophet (peace be upon him). He used to memorize and narrate Hadiths. Hence this confirms that there was no change in general policy given by the Prophet (peace be upon him) except to some persons with weak memory or official correspondence, letters, accounts of inheritances etc. Zaid bi Haris visiting Muawiyah also refers to the Hadith writing ban.
Quran is the Furqan, final criteria to judge right from wrong (Quran;25:1). So, when we refer to the Quranic verses against writing Hadith books.
The Prophet (pbuh) is also reported to have said that Hadith which contradict the Quran and Sunnah are not from him, he is also reported to have said that, if you hear a Hadith which your heart does not accept, it is far away from me (Masnad Ahmad 3/497, Saheeh Albani). Hence the Hadiths about ban on writing get support from the Quran, while those not supported by the Quran are to be ignored.
It is not very uncommon in Hadith books to find some Hadiths with conflicting contents and contradictions. The experts use various techniques to reconcile but one group may insist on Hadiths supporting their point of view while rejecting the Hadith referred by the opponent. This is the cause of conflict, division, disunity and sectarianism. If the reference source has contradictions, how can it be trusted as a whole, even if there are genuine narrations. There is only one Book which claims:
“This is the Book about which there is no doubt, a guidance for those conscious of Allah” (Quran 2:2)
Avoiding Discord, Misdirection and Deviation
[ فِتْنَةٌ وَضَلَالَةٌ وَبِدْعَةٌ ]
The Right Way of Hadith Transmission
Hellfire awaits for the defiant, deviators indulging in discord
[ فِتْنَةٌ وَضَلَالَةٌ وَبِدْعَةٌ ].
However, Allah has kept the doors of repentance and forgiveness open:
“Except for those who repent, mend their ways, hold fast to Allah, and purify their religion for Allah. for those will be with the believers. And Allah is going to give the believers a great reward. (Quran 4:146)
Muslims are commanded by Allah to obey the Messenger Muhammad (peace be upon him):
He who obeys the Messenger has obeyed Allah ; but those who turn away, We have not sent you over them as a guardian.(Quran :4:80)
And whoever disobeys Allah and His Messenger and transgresses His limits – He will put him into the Fire to abide eternally therein, and he will have a humiliating punishment. (Quran 4:14)
The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said;
“Certainly, the one who will live among you will see lots of differences. So stick to my sunnah and the sunnah of the right-principled and rightly-guided successors. Bite onto that with your molar teeth.“ “Acting upon my Sunnah and the Sunnah of my Khulaafa-i-Rashideen is obligatory for you.” (Ibni Maajah, Ch 6)
Disobedience to the command of the Prophet (peace be upon him) and Rightly Guided Caliphs is a very serious matter. Whatever has been done in the past we leave it to Allah. We need not to follow the people with deviant ideas, but we have to follow Quran:
“When it is said to them: “Follow what God has revealed:” They say: “Nay! we shall follow the ways of our fathers.” What! even though their fathers Were void of wisdom and guidance?” (Quran;2:170)
We should not waste energies in defending or criticizing the people of the past, their matter is with Allah to judge:
“Those who became believers after them say, “Our Lord, forgive us and our brethren who preceded us to the faith, and keep our hearts from harboring any hatred towards those who believed. Our Lord, You are Compassionate, Most Merciful.” (Quran;59:10)
“They were people that have passed away. For them is what they earned and for you is what you earn. And you will not be questioned as to what they did.” (Quran;2:141)
Oral Narration of Hadith Permitted:
While the Prophet (peace be upon him) banned Hadith writing, he permitted oral transmission: when he is reported to have said; Do not take down anything from me, and he who took down anything from me except the Qur’an, he should efface that and narrate from me, for there is no harm in it and he who attributed any falsehood to me deliberately he should in fact find his abode in the Hell-Fire.
Oral transmission of Hadith through Muhadeseen/Hufaaz of Hadees was the norm during first few centuries of Islam. Later with writing of Hadith books this practice declined but still exists. This era of internet and cyberspace provides a unique opportunity to revive the permissible old practice of oral transmission of Hadiths in line with command of the Prophet (peace be upon him). After verification of contents of Hadiths as per the criteria laid down by the Prophet (peace be upon him) when he is reported to have said that Hadith which contradict the Quran and Sunnah are not from him (it distinguishes between Quran, Sunnah and Hadith being different and not synonymous), and that, if you hear a Hadith which your heart does not accept, it is far away from me (Masnad Ahmad 3/497, Saheeh Albani) This implies that Hadith should not be against Quran, Sunnah and Reason (Intellect), while keeping the chain of transmission in view the most accurate Hadiths with high probability can be sifted.
Oral Transmission of Hadiths with Related Verses from Quran, through Audio / Video
This selection can be recorded on audio / video, narrated by different Huffaz-e-Hadith [Memorizers] along with supporting / related verses from Quran, all kept at websites, which can be seen or listened to, shared at media but “No Hadith Books” as per command of Prophet (peace be upon him). The methodology can be further improved with more deliberations and technical improvements by experts. As a first step “Oral Hadiths” a Youtube Video Channel has been launched as an obligation :
Short link: https://bit.ly/3ljIEvB
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is the role model for the Muslims, he is known as living Quran, his Sunnah (practices) is followed by Muslims and Hadiths (statements) revered. Since he strictly followed the Quran hence his acts and real statements (Hadith) will be in conformity with the Quran, and Reason according to the criteria laid down by him.
While the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) prohibited writing of “Hadith Book/Books”, he allowed oral narration, the policy implemented by rightly guided caliphs and Muslims for centuries till Hadith books came in the market in 3rd Century in deviation (bida). It is time to discard this Deviation and revert to the original approved practice of Oral narration of Hadiths. This channel will strive to achieve it.
