Five Causes of Apparent Contradictions in Hadith and Their Solutions
ماخوذ: فتاویٰ ارکان اسلام
الحمد لله، والصلاة والسلام علىٰ رسول الله، أما بعد!
◈ Hadith refers to the revelations and divine teachings received by the Prophet ﷺ other than the Qur’an. These are known as waḥy ghayr matlū (non-recited revelation).
◈ The Qur’an is waḥy matlū (recited revelation).
◈ Both are divine sources of Islam, and both carry binding authority for Muslims.
There is no contradiction between Qur’an and Hadith in reality.
◈ Many claim that the Ahadith contain contradictions.
◈ In truth, there is no real contradiction between any two authentic Ahadith.
◈ At times, a superficial or apparent conflict (ta‘āruḍ ẓāhirī) may arise due to lack of full understanding or context.
One Hadith applies in one situation, while the other applies in a different one.
✔ Example:
Hadith regarding joining the feet in prayer rows vs. standing naturally — both refer to different circumstances in congregation formation.
The Prophet ﷺ might have practised one way earlier and another later, indicating abrogation (نسخ).
✔ Example:
Earlier allowance of visiting graves was prohibited, then later permitted.
One ruling may apply to a specific person due to their situation, while another Hadith applies to the general public.
✔ Example:
The Prophet ﷺ gave different instructions regarding fast-breaking or combining prayers due to personal circumstances.
Sometimes the wording or phrasing varies between narrators.
This is due to human narration differences, but they can be reconciled by studying complete chains and contexts.
✔ Example:
Variation in the phrasing of tashahhud or du‘ā’ after prayer.
The contradiction arises not from the Hadith, but from our lack of comprehension, limited access to full text, or context.
✔ This is why scholars of Hadith emphasize taṭbīq (reconciliation) before declaring any Hadith as conflicting.
If both Hadith are authentic, reconcile them through context, timing, or understanding.
If reconciliation is not possible, scholars determine the stronger narration based on authenticity, number of narrators, and other factors.
If one Hadith abrogates the other, preference is given to the later ruling.
✔ Allah raised great scholars of Hadith to protect the Sunnah from fabrication and confusion.
✔ They established rigorous sciences (e.g. ʿIlm al-Jarḥ wa al-Taʿdīl, ʿIlm al-Riwāyah) to verify every narration.
✔ Whenever there appeared superficial contradictions, they reconciled them with expertise.
◈ Enemies of Islam exploit apparent contradictions to cast doubt on Hadith.
◈ They do not understand usūl al-ḥadīth or the methodology of reconciling texts.
◈ Scholars have thoroughly refuted these claims through science, isnād, and deep analysis.
◈ No authentic Hadith contradicts another.
◈ If any contradiction is perceived, it is due to lack of context, comprehension, or knowledge.
◈ The correct method is to reconcile, understand context, and rely on the scholarly tradition of Hadith.
“If two authentic narrations appear to contradict each other, the fault lies in your understanding—not in the Revelation.”
وبالله التوفيق
ماخوذ: فتاویٰ ارکان اسلام
الحمد لله، والصلاة والسلام علىٰ رسول الله، أما بعد!
❖ Introduction: The Status of Hadith
◈ Hadith refers to the revelations and divine teachings received by the Prophet ﷺ other than the Qur’an. These are known as waḥy ghayr matlū (non-recited revelation).
◈ The Qur’an is waḥy matlū (recited revelation).
◈ Both are divine sources of Islam, and both carry binding authority for Muslims.
There is no contradiction between Qur’an and Hadith in reality.
❖ Is There Contradiction in Hadith?
◈ Many claim that the Ahadith contain contradictions.
◈ In truth, there is no real contradiction between any two authentic Ahadith.
◈ At times, a superficial or apparent conflict (ta‘āruḍ ẓāhirī) may arise due to lack of full understanding or context.
✦ Five Main Causes of Apparent Contradiction in Hadith
➊ Different Circumstances (اختلاف الاحوال)
One Hadith applies in one situation, while the other applies in a different one.
✔ Example:
Hadith regarding joining the feet in prayer rows vs. standing naturally — both refer to different circumstances in congregation formation.
➋ Different Time Periods (اختلاف الأزمنة)
The Prophet ﷺ might have practised one way earlier and another later, indicating abrogation (نسخ).
✔ Example:
Earlier allowance of visiting graves was prohibited, then later permitted.
➌ Different Individuals (اختلاف الأشخاص)
One ruling may apply to a specific person due to their situation, while another Hadith applies to the general public.
✔ Example:
The Prophet ﷺ gave different instructions regarding fast-breaking or combining prayers due to personal circumstances.
➍ Difference in Narration (اختلاف الروايات)
Sometimes the wording or phrasing varies between narrators.
This is due to human narration differences, but they can be reconciled by studying complete chains and contexts.
✔ Example:
Variation in the phrasing of tashahhud or du‘ā’ after prayer.
➎ Lack of Understanding or Depth (قصور الفہم)
The contradiction arises not from the Hadith, but from our lack of comprehension, limited access to full text, or context.
✔ This is why scholars of Hadith emphasize taṭbīq (reconciliation) before declaring any Hadith as conflicting.
✦ What Is the Solution to Apparent Conflicts?
❶ Tawfīq (تطبیق): Reconciliation
If both Hadith are authentic, reconcile them through context, timing, or understanding.
❷ Tarjīḥ (ترجیح): Giving Preference
If reconciliation is not possible, scholars determine the stronger narration based on authenticity, number of narrators, and other factors.
❸ Nasḫ (نسخ): Abrogation
If one Hadith abrogates the other, preference is given to the later ruling.
❖ The Role of the Muhaddithīn (Hadith Scholars)
✔ Allah raised great scholars of Hadith to protect the Sunnah from fabrication and confusion.
✔ They established rigorous sciences (e.g. ʿIlm al-Jarḥ wa al-Taʿdīl, ʿIlm al-Riwāyah) to verify every narration.
✔ Whenever there appeared superficial contradictions, they reconciled them with expertise.
❖ Misuse by Orientalists and Doubters
◈ Enemies of Islam exploit apparent contradictions to cast doubt on Hadith.
◈ They do not understand usūl al-ḥadīth or the methodology of reconciling texts.
◈ Scholars have thoroughly refuted these claims through science, isnād, and deep analysis.
Conclusion:
◈ No authentic Hadith contradicts another.
◈ If any contradiction is perceived, it is due to lack of context, comprehension, or knowledge.
◈ The correct method is to reconcile, understand context, and rely on the scholarly tradition of Hadith.
“If two authentic narrations appear to contradict each other, the fault lies in your understanding—not in the Revelation.”
وبالله التوفيق
