Examining the Criteria Set by Hadith Rejecters for Authenticity

❀ Introduction ❀​

The original article is authored by Shaykh ʿAbdur Raḥmān Kīlānī رحمه الله. To enhance readability, this version includes headings and structural formatting.

✔ The Hadith Standards Set by Hadith Rejecters​

Ghulam Ahmad Parwez, the leader of the Hadith-rejecting group and editor of the magazine Tuluʿ-e-Islam, acknowledged in his writing:

"Consider: if Ahadith and traditions are rejected, doubts about the Qur'an itself would arise, for it is only through traditions that we know the Prophet ﷺ compiled the Qur'an in its current form."
[Maqām-e-Ḥadīth, p. 340]

Thus, Tuluʿ-e-Islam established selective principles for accepting Hadith, as follows:

"As for Hadith, we accept only those that are in accordance with the Qur'an or that do not defame the character of the Prophet ﷺ or the major Companions."
[Purpose and Creed of Tuluʿ-e-Islam, Clause 14]

From this, three key criteria emerge:

① The Hadith must align with the Qur'an.
② The Hadith must not appear to tarnish the character of the Prophet ﷺ.
③ This principle must apply equally to the senior Companions رضي الله عنهم.

✔ First Standard: Conformity with the Qur'an​

Several objections arise with this condition:

➤ On the necessity of confirmation: If a Hadith aligns with the Qur'an, then why even validate it—does the Qur'an not suffice on its own?

➤ On reliance on traditions: The very notion that the Qur'an was compiled by the Prophet ﷺ is known only through Hadith. How then can one selectively accept traditions?

➤ On interpretation of the Qur'an: The Qur'an is a collection of words that needs explanation. The interpretation by Tuluʿ-e-Islam assumes their understanding of Qur'an is flawless and unchanging, though even their own interpretations evolve over time.

➤ On apparent contradictions in the Qur'an: For instance,

• Sūrat al-Qaṣaṣ (28:56):
  ﴿إِنَّكَ لَا تَهْدِي مَنْ أَحْبَبْتَ﴾
  “You (O Prophet) cannot guide whom you love.”
• Sūrat ash-Shūrā (42:52):
  ﴿وَإِنَّكَ لَتَهْدِي إِلَىٰ صِرَاطٍ مُّسْتَقِيمٍ﴾
  “Indeed, you surely guide to the straight path.”

Despite the seeming contradiction, scholars reconcile these through taʾwīl (interpretation), acknowledging no real conflict exists.

✔ Example: Questions on the Day of Judgment​

Two seemingly contradictory verses:

• Sūrat al-Ḥijr (15:92-93):
  “By your Lord, We will surely question them all.”
• Sūrat ar-Raḥmān (55:39):
  “That Day, no man or jinn will be asked about his sin.”

This contradiction is resolved by context: the first verse indicates accountability; the second reflects immediate recognition due to evident signs—no need for verbal questioning.

Just as the Qur'an is interpreted in light of apparent conflicts, so should Hadith be.

✔ Second Standard: No Defamation of the Prophet ﷺ​

If Qur’anic verses appear to critique the Prophet ﷺ, should these be rejected?

➤ Examples:

• Sūrat ʿAbasa (80:1-2):
  “He frowned and turned away when the blind man approached.”
• Sūrat al-Fatḥ (48:1-2):
  “That Allah may forgive you your past and future shortcomings.”
• Sūrat al-Isrāʾ (17:74):
  “Had We not made you firm, you might have inclined toward them a little.”

If these were Hadith, Hadith rejecters would declare them as false due to “defamation.” However, they are part of the Qur'an—proving the inconsistency of their criteria.

The truth is: Prophets are human. While divinely protected (maʿṣūm), they may err. Allah corrects them through revelation, enhancing their status, not diminishing it.

✔ Third Standard: No Dishonor of the Companions​

What if Qur’anic verses criticize the Companions?

➤ Examples:

• Sūrat at-Taḥrīm (66:4): Rebuke to two wives of the Prophet ﷺ.
• Sūrat al-Aḥzāb (33:28): Worldly inclinations among the Prophet's ﷺ wives.
• Sūrat al-Jumuʿah (62:11): Companions leaving the sermon for trade.
• Sūrat al-Anfāl (8:5-6): Companions' hesitation in battle.
• Sūrat al-Baqarah (2:187): Companions’ breach during fasting.
• Sūrat Āl ʿImrān (3:152): Disobedience during the Battle of Uḥud.

These verses highlight certain human shortcomings but serve as lessons, not disgrace. If they were in Hadith, Hadith rejecters would dismiss them.

✔ Fourth Standard: Should Not Contradict Modern Knowledge​

Hadiths that contradict modern science are rejected, yet Qur'anic miracles such as:

• The staff of Mūsā عليه السلام turning into a serpent
• ʿĪsā عليه السلام reviving the dead
• The Prophet’s ﷺ Night Journey (Miʿrāj)

...are all beyond scientific explanation.

Hadith rejecters accept these only through strained interpretations but reject similar Hadiths—again showing inconsistency.

✔ Fifth Standard: Should Not Contradict Reason​

This criterion has partial precedent in classical Hadith scholarship—but with a crucial difference:

✔ The scholars subordinated intellect to revelation.
✘ Hadith rejecters prioritize intellect over revelation.

Hadith scholars tested Hadith after verifying its chain and content, only then considering reason. Rejecters reverse this, using reason as the primary filter.

They often cite this verse:

﴿وَالَّذِينَ إِذَا ذُكِّرُوا بِآيَاتِ رَبِّهِمْ لَمْ يَخِرُّوا عَلَيْهَا صُمًّا وَعُمْيَانًا﴾
[Al-Furqān: 73]
“They do not fall upon it deaf and blind when reminded by the signs of their Lord.”

Parwez added an unauthorized commentary: “but rather accept them using reason”—which is not found in the verse.

The actual meaning is that believers attentively listen and reflect, not analyze divine revelation with speculative reason.

✔ Final Verdict on Intellect vs. Revelation​

The Qur'an does promote the use of intellect. However:

﴿وَمَا كَانَ لِمُؤْمِنٍ وَلَا مُؤْمِنَةٍ ...﴾
[Al-Aḥzāb: 36]
“It is not for a believing man or woman to have any choice when Allah and His Messenger have decided a matter.”

﴿فَلَا وَرَبِّكَ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ حَتَّى يُحَكِّمُوكَ ...﴾
[An-Nisāʾ: 65]
“They can never be believers until they make you the judge in all disputes... and submit fully.”

Thus, intellect follows revelation—not the other way around.

❀ Conclusion: Inconsistencies in the Hadith Rejecters' Standards ❀​

The criteria proposed by Hadith rejecters include:

① Conformity with the Qur'an
② No defamation of the Prophet ﷺ
③ No criticism of the Companions
④ Not contradicting science
⑤ Not contradicting reason

Yet, their standards collapse under their own weight:

✔ The Qur'an itself includes events that violate these criteria.
✔ They accept Qur'anic miracles but reject similar Hadith miracles.
✔ They falsely prioritize intellect over revelation.

This approach is inconsistent, selective, and ultimately undermines both the Sunnah and the integrity of divine guidance.

True believers subordinate reason to revelation and accept authentic Hadiths with the same reverence as the Qur'an—both being parts of divinely revealed guidance.