❖ The Mutual Importance and Necessity of the Quran and Hadith
❖ Objection: “The Quran is sufficient, what is the need for Hadith?”
① Objection 1: The Quran explains everything—why then is Hadith needed?
This objection is based on the claim that the Quran declares itself as a book that explains everything. As mentioned in the Quran:
"وَنَزَّلْنَا عَلَيْكَ الْكِتَابَ تِبْيَانًا لِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ"
(An-Nahl: 89)
Translation: “And We have sent down to you the Book as clarification for all things.”
Response:
The comprehensiveness of the Quran does not imply that it contains every detail of every matter explicitly. The Quran presents principles and general guidelines, while the clarification and detailed application of these principles are provided through the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ.
For example:
- The command for Salah is in the Quran, but the complete method of performing it is not detailed therein.
- The obligation of Zakat is mentioned, but its exact rate and minimum threshold (Nisab) are not specified in the Quran.
Hence, the Quran offers foundational guidance, while the Sunnah provides the practical details. As the Quran itself says:
"وَأَنْزَلْنَا إِلَيْكَ الذِّكْرَ لِتُبَيِّنَ لِلنَّاسِ مَا نُزِّلَ إِلَيْهِمْ"
(An-Nahl: 44)
Translation: “And We revealed to you the message so that you may explain to the people what has been sent down to them.”
② Objection 2: Revelation is only the Quran—there’s no need for Hadith?
This objection emphasizes that the Quran speaks only of following revelation and restricts the concept of revelation solely to the Quran.
Response:
The Quran clearly affirms that the Prophet ﷺ received two types of revelation from Allah:
- Quranic Revelation: The direct Word of Allah.
- Non-Quranic Revelation: Comprising the Prophet’s ﷺ actions, sayings, and explanations.
As the Quran states:
"وَمَا يَنْطِقُ عَنِ الْهَوَىٰ إِنْ هُوَ إِلَّا وَحْيٌ يُوحَىٰ"
(An-Najm: 3-4)
Translation: “Nor does he speak from his own desire. It is but a revelation revealed.”
The Prophet ﷺ guided the Ummah not only through the Quran but also through non-Quranic revelation, which is reflected in the Hadith.
③ Objection 3: Everything is explained in the Quran—why is Hadith still required?
This objection relies on the verses from Surah An-Nahl (89) and Surah Al-An'am (38):
"مَا فَرَّطْنَا فِي الْكِتَابِ مِنْ شَيْءٍ"
(Al-An'am: 38)
Translation: “We have not neglected anything in the Book.”
Response:
The Quran indeed contains principles and general rulings, but the clarification and elaboration of these principles is only possible through the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ.
For instance:
- Punishment for theft: The Quran states that the hand of the thief be cut off (Al-Ma’idah: 38), but what amount of theft? Under what circumstances? These are clarified in the Hadith.
- Prayer times and number of units (Rak‘ahs): Mentioned briefly in the Quran, but detailed instructions are found only in Hadith.
"لَقَدْ كَانَ لَكُمْ فِي رَسُولِ اللَّهِ أُسْوَةٌ حَسَنَةٌ"
(Al-Ahzab: 21)
Translation: “Indeed, in the Messenger of Allah you have a good example.”
④ Objection 4: If the Quran is interpreted through Hadith, wouldn’t the Quran become dependent on Hadith?
This objection is made by those who believe that the Quran is entirely self-sufficient and requires no external explanation.
Response:
It is essential to understand that the Quran and Hadith are complementary, not dependent. Allah has given the Prophet ﷺ the duty of explaining the Quran, as affirmed by the Quran itself:
"وَأَنْزَلْنَا إِلَيْكَ الذِّكْرَ لِتُبَيِّنَ لِلنَّاسِ مَا نُزِّلَ إِلَيْهِمْ"
(An-Nahl: 44)
Translation: “And We have revealed to you the Reminder so that you may clarify to the people what has been revealed to them.”
If Hadith is rejected, the implementation of many essential Quranic commandments becomes impossible, such as:
- Rites of Hajj
- Zakat rates and thresholds
- Detailed rulings on fasting in Ramadan
❖ Practical Responses to Questions about the Importance of Hadith
✔ Order of Salah: The Quran commands prayer, but the structure—standing, bowing, prostrating—is derived from Hadith.
✔ Zakat Rates: The Quran commands giving Zakat, but its calculation and categories come from Hadith.
✔ Halal and Haram: The Quran names certain animals as permissible or forbidden, but many rulings like the permissibility of fish are found in Hadith.
❖ Summary
The Quran and Hadith together form the foundation of Islam. The Quran is the Word of Allah, and the Hadith is the verbal and practical explanation by the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. Attempts to separate them undermine the essential structure of the religion.
"Though the Quran is concise, it is comprehensive; and this comprehensiveness is only valid when it provides principles and generalities."
(Al-Muwafaqat: 3/132)
