Difference Between Ḥadīth Qudsī and Qur’an: Definitions, Meanings, and Distinctions
Source: Aḥkām wa Masā’il fī Ḍaw’ al-Qur’ān wa al-Ḥadīth, Vol. 01, p. 565
Question
What is the difference between Ḥadīth Qudsī and ordinary ḥadīth, and what are their definitions?
What is the difference between Ḥadīth Qudsī and the Qur’an?
Are the words and meanings of Ḥadīth Qudsī both from Allah, just as both words and meanings of the Qur’an are from Allah?
Is the difference between them one of matlū (recited) and ghayr matlū (non-recited)?
Furthermore, what distinctions does the Qur’an have over Ḥadīth Qudsī?
Answer
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu wa as-salāmu ‘alā Rasūlillāh, ammā ba‘d!
- If a ḥadīth is considered from the aspect that it is established through the Prophet ﷺ and issued from him, then Ḥadīth Qudsī is also ḥadīth nabawī.
- If viewed from the perspective that a ḥadīth originates from Allah, then even a ḥadīth nabawī can be called ḥadīth qudsī.
- If the aspect considered is whether the ḥadīth explicitly states that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ narrated it from Allah:
◈ In the first case, it will be Ḥadīth Qudsī.
◈ In the second case, it will be ḥadīth nabawī.
Difference Between Ḥadīth Qudsī and Qur’an
- In Ḥadīth Qudsī, it is not necessary that the words are also from Allah.
- In the Qur’an, both the words and meanings of every verse are from Allah.
Reference: Jamāl al-Dīn al-Qāsimī, Qawā‘id al-Taḥdīth
ھذا ما عندي والله أعلم بالصواب
