Describe the relationship of Hadiths with the Qur’an, giving examples of how Hadiths are used in understanding God’s words.
The Prophet’s (pbuh) hadiths play a very important role in Islam and are second only to the Qur’an in formulating laws.
God has given Muslims many injunctions in the Qur’an but it is the hadiths of the Prophet (pbuh) that explain them.
Explaining the divine book was one of the functions of the Messenger of God (pbuh).
‘We have merely revealed this book to you so that you may explain to them where they are differing over (and so it stands out) as a guidance and mercy for a people who believe.’ (Al-Qur’an, 16:64)
The above and other verses clearly establish the fact that the teachings of the Qur’an cannot be put into practice without seeking guidance from the Prophet’s (pbuh) hadiths.
Some examples to show how the two are used together could be given by candidates
e.g. they can say that hadiths explain Qur’anic verses
e.g. God says in the Qur’an: ‘So be obedient to your Lord, O Mary. Prostrate (to Him) and bow down alongside those who bow down.’ (Al-Qur’an 3:43)
The Prophet’s (pbuh) hadiths expand on how to put the injunction from God into action, ‘Pray as you see me praying’.
Hadiths also restrict the meaning of a verse
e.g. in the case of theft the command is to cut off their hands. How much of the hand is to be cut off? Which hand is to be cut off? The Prophet (pbuh) educated the companions on both issues by stating that in the case of theft the right hand up to the wrist is to be cut off.
Explanation of technical issues like those concerning fasting in the month of Ramadan, for which the Qur’an says:
‘And eat and drink until the white thread becomes distinct to you from the black thread of dawn.’
The Prophet (pbuh) interpreted the verse by saying that the white thread refers to day and the black thread refers to the night.
Write about the function of the Qur’an and Sunna as the two primary sources of Islamic law.
The Qur’an is an authority in Islamic law;
It is the word of God; it is not questioned or contradicted by the other sources;
The sunna is the Prophet’s example and is recorded in the Hadith;
They don’t contradict each other but rather they complement one another;
The Hadith emphasise and expand on verses in the Qur’an;
e.g. Zakat is mentioned in the Qur’an but the way in which it should be given is detailed by the Hadiths;
Hadith are used when the Qur’an is silent on a matter;
e.g. Inheritance given to grandmother is not specifically mentioned in the Qur’an, but is explained by Hadith;
Hadith are important because the Prophet was the final and perfect messenger to follow;
Hadith of Mu’adh ibn Jabal;
They are interlinked so are the two main (primary) sources. Used together they identify the main principles of morality and action. This is why they are the authority for the foundation of legal matters.
Outline the relationship between the Hadith and the Qur’an as sources of Islamic law. Give examples to support your answer.
The use of Hadith is indispensable in the practice of Islam. The Qur’an itself in its various verses stresses the need to follow the guidance of the Prophet (pbuh).
‘So take what the messenger gives you, and refrain from what he prohibits you’ (Al Hashr, 59:7).
The Hadith and Sunna of the Prophet (pbuh) not only provide a framework to Muslims on which to build institutions of faith, but also serve as a valid source to legislate in matters where the Qur’an is silent, or where a verse needs explaining or when it comes to restricting the meaning of a verse.
As an example we can take Sura 5:38 from the Qur’an which says,
‘As for the thief both male and female cut off their hands’
How much of the hand needs to be cut off? Which hand, the left or the right is to be cut off? The Prophet (pbuh) explained the verse on theft saying the right hand up to the wrist is to be cut off.
Likewise, laws of inheritance are also determined by the Prophet’s Hadith which says, ‘A Muslim may not inherit from a non-Muslim and a non-Muslim may not inherit from a Muslim’.
Payment of zakat is also calculated from the guidance given in the Hadith of the Prophet (pbuh). These and other examples can be given in support of the answer.
Candidates could also say in their answer that Hadiths never contradict the Qur’an and that, after the Qur’an, they are the primary source of law.
Outline the relationship between the Qur’an and Hadith when formulating Islamic law.
The rulings given in the Qur’an serve as a source of Islamic law, which cover all aspects of life. Some of them are however not in depth and for that reason the Hadith of the Prophet (pbuh) have to be referred to. For example, details for rules of inheritance, marriage, fasting, prayers etc. can all be found in the Hadiths.
The use of the Sunna and Hadith are indispensable in the practice of Islam and the Qur’an itself. Many verses stress upon the need to follow the Prophet’s practice.
‘So, take what the Messenger gives you, and refrain from what he prohibits you.’ (al-Hashr, 59:7)
The Prophet (pbuh) was sent to convey the message of God to humanity and to act upon it himself and explain it to the people. He therefore must be followed as the one who explains the Book, as the law giver, judge and ruler. The Hadith of the Prophet (pbuh) serve as a valid source of law to legislate in matters where the Qur’an is silent, or where a verse needs explaining or when it comes to restricting the meaning of a verse.
‘As for the thief, male or female, cut off his hand or her hand; an exemplary punishment from Allah for their crime. Allah is Mighty, Wise.’ (al-Maidah, 5:38)
The Prophet (pbuh) explained the verse by saying, ‘the hand should be cut off for (the theft of) a quarter of a dinar or more’ (Bukhari). However, because the cutting off a hand is a serious matter, it should not be executed for any case of theft. A combination of conditions must be met before a thief’s hand is cut off.
Other examples of the Prophet’s Hadiths could be given as supplementing the Qur’anic verses.
The Hadith help Muslims to fulfil the requirements of their faith in legal, social, economic and political matters as well as in matters of religion. For without them the Muslims would be unable to fulfil their primary obligations of fasting, praying, giving zakat, performing hajj.
Here it could be added that the instruction to offer salat is in the Qur’an but Muslims fulfil this Pillar by following the practice of the Prophet (pbuh) who said ‘Pray as you see me praying’ and that ‘No salat is complete without al-Fatiha.’
It must be noted that the above is guidance to what can be expected in answers. All valid examples must be credited.
Write about the relationship between the Qur’an and the Hadiths of the Prophet
It could be said that the relationship between the Qur’an and the ahadith of the Prophet (pbuh) is a very close one. Ahadith either explain a verse of the Qur’an or add something to its commandment. It could also be said that ahadith lay down new rulings about matters on which the Qur’an is silent.
Hence the position of ahadith in the first instance is secondary to the Qur’an as it is based on the Qur’an itself whereas in the second instance it stands on its own and forms the basis of legislation. In addition, when writing about the relationship between the Qur’an and ahadith it could be said that as the Qur’an is the word of God. It contains the principles of religion and focuses on major issues and often deals with subjects in brief terms.
The ahadith and sunna of the Prophet (pbuh) contain the detailed explanations of what the Qur’an has said briefly. The Qur’an it could be added gives Muslims a primary rule of life, and there are many matters where guidance for practical living is needed and this is provided once again by the ahadith of the Prophet (pbuh). Examples of how the ahadith explain the command about the payment of zakat or offering salat amongst others can be given to develop the answer.
The Qur’an also commands Muslims to be good to their neighbours and a number of ahadith stress this duty and this applies to many other situations and other examples could be given by the candidate to show the vital relationship between the Qur’an and the ahadith. When the first Islamic state was founded in Madina by the Prophet (pbuh) he was not just the spiritual leader but also the supreme judge of the community.
The underlying principle applied to all cases referred to the Prophet (pbuh) for judgement had its basis in the Qur’an, but if the Qur’an was silent on a matter then the Prophet (pbuh) would be the final authority for reaching a decision.
The Qur’an also states that the Prophet’s (pbuh) teachings should be obeyed.
Where the Qur’an instructs Muslims to obey God it also instructs them to obey the Prophet (pbuh)
‘He who obeys the Messenger obeys Allah’ (4:80).
Describe how the Prophet’s Hadiths can be used together with the Qur’an to help Muslims understand and practise their faith.
Answers could begin by saying how Hadiths are the words of the Prophet (pbuh) which teach Muslims the righteous path and teach them to lead lives that will earn them the pleasure of God.
Answers could also say that as Hadiths explain and expand upon the teachings of the Qur’an they are therefore a vital source of information and guidance on how to deal with the various situations that may arise in a Muslim’s life.
Here they could give examples of Hadiths being a source of guidance to Muslims,
e.g. they could cite the Hadith related to inheritance i.e. ‘A Muslim may not inherit from a non-Muslim, nor a non-Muslim inherit from a Muslim’.
Even when fulfilling the pillars of Islam, Muslims need the Hadiths of the Prophet (pbuh) to guide them
e.g. the Qur’an says to establish prayer but nowhere in the Qur’an does it say what the method of offering prayers is. Muslims learn it from the Prophet’s Hadiths, ‘Pray as you see me praying’.
Wenever the Qur’an is silent on a matter the Prophet’s Hadiths are referred to for guidance as the Qur’an and the Hadiths always agree with one another.
Authoritative collections of Hadiths contain tafsir which are invaluable guides to key verses in the Qur’an and help Muslims understand the words of their creator better, and thus enables them to live their lives in accordance with the tenets of Islam.
Qur'an
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