Source: Fatāwā ʿUlamāʾ-e-Ḥadīth, Kitāb al-Ṣalāh, Volume 1
If an apparent contradiction is found between the Noble Qur’ān and the blessed Ḥadīth, which one should be given precedence? In such a case, which ruling should be set aside, and which one should be followed?
The Qur’ān and Ḥadīth are two rays from the same light. The Qur’ān is the clear and manifest revelation (Waḥy Jalī), while the Ḥadīth is the concealed revelation (Waḥy Khafī).
Every authentic ḥadīth of the Prophet ﷺ is revelation and divinely inspired. Allah ﷻ says:
﴿وما ينطق عن الهوى، إن هو إلا وحي يوحى﴾
"He does not speak from his own desire. It is nothing but revelation revealed."
— [Surah al-Najm: 3–4]
Even the status of the Qur’ān as the Qur’ān has been established for us through the ḥadīth of the Prophet ﷺ. Thus, acting upon both the Qur’ān and authentic ḥadīth is obligatory upon every Muslim.
You must firmly understand that there is no contradiction between the Qur’ān and any authentic ḥadīth. What may appear as a contradiction to us is often a result of our limited understanding or misinterpretation. There is no real contradiction.
If seemingly conflicting texts appear (i.e., taʿāruḍ), the scholars of ḥadīth have laid down methodologies to resolve such conflicts, which are thoroughly discussed in the books of Uṣūl al-Ḥadīth (Principles of Ḥadīth).
Hence, distinguishing between the Qur’ān and ḥadīth in terms of acceptance or rejection is a prohibited act. Both are forms of divine guidance, and rejecting one over the other is impermissible.
❖ Question
If an apparent contradiction is found between the Noble Qur’ān and the blessed Ḥadīth, which one should be given precedence? In such a case, which ruling should be set aside, and which one should be followed?
❖ Answer
The Qur’ān and Ḥadīth are two rays from the same light. The Qur’ān is the clear and manifest revelation (Waḥy Jalī), while the Ḥadīth is the concealed revelation (Waḥy Khafī).
Every authentic ḥadīth of the Prophet ﷺ is revelation and divinely inspired. Allah ﷻ says:
﴿وما ينطق عن الهوى، إن هو إلا وحي يوحى﴾
"He does not speak from his own desire. It is nothing but revelation revealed."
— [Surah al-Najm: 3–4]
Even the status of the Qur’ān as the Qur’ān has been established for us through the ḥadīth of the Prophet ﷺ. Thus, acting upon both the Qur’ān and authentic ḥadīth is obligatory upon every Muslim.
❖ Important Clarification
You must firmly understand that there is no contradiction between the Qur’ān and any authentic ḥadīth. What may appear as a contradiction to us is often a result of our limited understanding or misinterpretation. There is no real contradiction.
If seemingly conflicting texts appear (i.e., taʿāruḍ), the scholars of ḥadīth have laid down methodologies to resolve such conflicts, which are thoroughly discussed in the books of Uṣūl al-Ḥadīth (Principles of Ḥadīth).
Hence, distinguishing between the Qur’ān and ḥadīth in terms of acceptance or rejection is a prohibited act. Both are forms of divine guidance, and rejecting one over the other is impermissible.
