✿ Introduction
A recurring claim—particularly from groups like Tulu-e-Islam—is that the corpus of Hadith holds no more weight than religious history. They argue that Hadith can, at best, be seen as “sacred history,” but not as part of the actual religion. Their primary argument revolves around the full title of Sahih al-Bukhari:"الْجَامِعُ الصَّحِيحُ الْمُخْتَصَرُ مِنْ أُمُورِ رَسُولِ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ وَأَيَّامِهِ"
They emphasize the terms “umūr” (affairs) and “ayām” (days), asserting that this implies mere chronological recording. However, this interpretation neglects the broader scholarly and technical context of Hadith science.
❖ Key Terms in the Title of Sahih al-Bukhari
❖ Al-Jāmi‘ (الجامع): In Hadith terminology, this refers to a compilation that encompasses all aspects of life—faith (‘aqīdah), worship (‘ibādah), ethics (akhlāq), society, economy, eschatology, paradise and hell. This goes far beyond mere historical events.❖ As-Sahīh (الصحيح): This term signifies that the narrations meet stringent criteria—narrators must be reliable (thiqqah), just (‘ādil), and narrations must be connected (muttaṣil) without contradiction. Historical accounts, in contrast, lack these standards and are often built on rumor, anonymous sources, and conjecture.
❖ The Nature of Historical Records vs. Hadith
✔ Historical Records:- Often include fabricated, anonymous, or baseless accounts.
- Value is given to antiquity, not accuracy—e.g., old manuscripts, inscriptions.
- Writers are often state-sponsored and susceptible to bias.
- Relayed by direct eyewitnesses—the Companions (رضي الله عنهم).
- Transmission chain (isnād) and narrator integrity are central.
- No worldly incentives; Hadith scholars often lived lives of poverty and sacrifice.
❖ Examples of Eyewitness Narrations
➊ ‘Umar (رضي الله عنه) on kissing the Black Stone:“If I had not seen the Prophet ﷺ kiss you, I would not kiss you.”
(Muwatta Imam Malik)
➋ Ibn ‘Umar (رضي الله عنه) combining prayers on journey:
“I saw the Prophet ﷺ doing this.”
(Nasai)
➌ Maymūnah (رضي الله عنها) on debt repayment:
“I heard the Prophet ﷺ say…”
(Ibn Majah)
✔ These examples show firsthand visual and auditory transmission, making Hadith more reliable than any historical autobiography.
❖ The Companions’ Role in Preserving Hadith
Allah instructed believers to follow the Prophet ﷺ in every matter:﴿لَّقَدْ كَانَ لَكُمْ فِي رَسُولِ اللهِ أُسْوَةٌ حَسَنَةٌ﴾
(Al-Ahzab: 21)
﴿وَمَا آتَاكُمُ الرَّسُولُ فَخُذُوهُ﴾
(Al-Hashr: 7)
The Companions adhered to this mandate with utmost seriousness:
✔ ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar (رضي الله عنه) rejected speculation and followed the Prophet ﷺ based on action, not logic.
✔ A Companion’s spontaneous words in prayer were praised by the Prophet ﷺ, and Ibn ‘Umar never stopped reciting them since.
❖ Preservation Through Sacrifice: Battle of Uhud Example
In the Battle of Uhud, the Companions demonstrated their loyalty not by words, but by risking their lives for the Prophet ﷺ.- Abu Bakr, ‘Umar, ‘Ali, Talhah, Sa‘d—each stood in defense, many were martyred.
- Their love was greater than for their own lives, fulfilling:
(At-Tawbah: 120)
Their actions speak volumes: the Prophet’s ﷺ life, words, and guidance were sacred, not historical trivia.
❖ Difference in Methodology: Hadith vs. History
| Aspect | History | Hadith |
|---|---|---|
| Source Reliability | Often anonymous or unknown | Must be thiqqah and ‘ādil |
| Chain of Transmission | Rarely exists | Carefully preserved |
| Central Focus | Often political figures | Solely the Prophet ﷺ |
| Geographic Scope | Region-specific | Universal, eternal |
| Documentation | Often biased or commissioned | Independent, verified |
| Emotional Bias | Present in autobiographies | Scrutinized and corrected |
| Validation Criteria | Age of manuscript | Authenticity of isnād |
| Penalties for Falsehood | Minimal | Severe—Hellfire warning |
| Monetary Compensation | Paid historians | Mufassil unpaid labor, travel, sacrifice |
| Scope | Political, economic | Worship, ethics, salvation |
❖ The Gospels vs. Hadith
- Gospels: Narrated by few, no isnād, compiled later, prone to loss.
- Hadith: Thousands of narrators, rigorous cross-checking, unbroken chains, universally scrutinized.
❖ Conclusion
Calling Hadith merely "history" is intellectually dishonest and theologically baseless. The Preservation of Sunnah is a divine miracle backed by thousands of righteous men and women who lived, travelled, and died to safeguard every word and deed of the Prophet ﷺ.Hadith is not history—it is revelation in action, Islam in practice, and the second pillar of divine guidance after the Qur’an.
