✿ Divine Promise and Practical Preservation of the Qur’an and Hadith
◈ Objection:
It is said that the Qur’an is the Book of Allah and its preservation is the responsibility of Allah Himself, as stated in the Qur’an:
إِنَّا نَحْنُ نَزَّلْنَا الذِّكْرَ وَإِنَّا لَهُ لَحَافِظُونَ
(Surah al-Ḥijr 15:9)
"Indeed, it is We who sent down the Reminder, and indeed, We will be its Guardian."
However, critics question: Since there is no such divine promise regarding the preservation of Hadith, is it truly preserved?
◈ Commentary:
✔ Practical Aspects of Qur’anic Preservation
Allah ﷻ promised to preserve the Qur’an. But the question arises:
Was this preservation directly divine or through human means?
Evidently, Allah ﷻ used human beings as a means for its preservation.
◉ This preservation began in the lifetime of the Prophet ﷺ, when the Qur’an was memorized word for word by his companions.
◉ Thousands, then millions, and today hundreds of millions have memorized it across generations.
◉ The arrangement for Qur’an’s preservation is so extraordinary that no other book in history can claim the same level of accuracy and continuity.
✔ Arrangement for Preservation of Hadith
Since the Prophet ﷺ is the final Messenger and a guide for all humanity, Allah also arranged for the preservation of his life and teachings, so that mankind continues to receive guidance until the Day of Judgment and there remains no need for another prophet.
◉ The life, sayings, actions, and teachings of the Prophet ﷺ were preserved through the same means as the Qur’an.
◉ The finality of prophethood in itself demands that the life and teachings of the Prophet ﷺ be preserved, ensuring the completion and continuity of religion till the Last Day.
✔ Continuity of Islamic Traditions
Essential aspects of Islamic civilization—such as prayer (ṣalāh), ablution (wuḍūʾ), call to prayer (adhān), ḥajj, zakāt, marriage, divorce, inheritance, and rules of ḥalāl and ḥarām—are closely tied to the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ.
These practices have continued unchanged in Muslim societies, just as the Qur’anic verses have been transmitted generation to generation.
◉ Therefore, the Sunnah was preserved just like the Qur’an, as both are interdependent.
◉ Whoever denies the preservation of the Sunnah is, in effect, undermining the preservation of the Qur’an.
✔ Authentic Record of the Prophet’s Life
◉ Every aspect of the Prophet’s ﷺ life has been preserved with minute detail and accuracy.
◉ His sayings, actions, and even expressions were memorized by the Companions (Ṣaḥābah) and passed on to the next generations.
◉ The lives and transmissions of nearly 600,000 narrators were documented so that every Hadith could be critically evaluated for authenticity.
◉ The science of Hadith and historical criticism was developed specifically to authenticate any statement attributed to the Prophet ﷺ.
✔ Reasons Behind the Preservation of Hadith
① Influence of the Prophet’s ﷺ Personality:
The Companions viewed the Prophet ﷺ as the greatest human being, and considered every word and action of his as a valuable treasure.
② Knowledge and Awareness:
The Companions were fully aware that they had been delivered from ignorance by the guidance of the Prophet ﷺ, and they deeply valued it.
③ Fear of Fabrication:
Based on the Qur’an’s teachings and the Prophet’s ﷺ warnings, the Companions feared the great sin of fabricating or misattributing a statement to the Prophet ﷺ.
④ Responsibility to Preserve Religion:
The Companions considered it their duty to preserve the religion without alteration or omission, and convey it accurately.
⑤ Instructions from Senior Companions:
Senior Companions often instructed others to be extremely cautious while narrating Hadith.
⑥ Social Integration of Teachings:
The Prophet’s ﷺ teachings were not just theoretical; they were practiced in daily life—in homes, courts, and public life—which further helped in their transmission and verification.
✔ Linguistic and Literary Features of Authentic Hadith
Those proficient in Arabic language and well-versed in Hadith sciences can perceive a unique style and distinct literary character in the sayings of the Prophet ﷺ.
There is a recognizable tone and eloquence in authentic Hadith that reflects his prophetic voice.
An expert can often tell, even before examining the chain of narration, whether a Hadith could possibly be attributed to the Prophet ﷺ.
✿ Final Note:
Allah ﷻ declared Islam to be a complete religion:
الْيَوْمَ أَكْمَلْتُ لَكُمْ دِينَكُمْ وَأَتْمَمْتُ عَلَيْكُمْ نِعْمَتِي وَرَضِيتُ لَكُمُ الْإِسْلَامَ دِينًا
"Today I have completed your religion for you, and perfected My favor upon you, and chosen Islam as your religion."
(Surah al-Mā’idah)
If the Hadith of the Prophet ﷺ, which explains and clarifies the Qur’an, were not preserved, the completeness of religion would have no meaning.
Hence, the completion and preservation of Islam is a divine promise that shall remain intact until the Day of Judgment.
➤ Key Takeaway:
Just as Allah ﷻ ensured the protection of the Qur’an through practical and human means, He likewise ensured the preservation of the Prophet’s ﷺ teachings. Together, they form the foundation of Islam, which shall remain safeguarded until the end of time.
