Refuting Extremism and Upholding Moderation in the Light of Qur’an and Sunnah: The Ruling on Writing Hadith
Source: Fatawa Ameenpuri — Shaykh Ghulam Mustafa Zaheer Ameenpuri
❖ Question
What is the Shar‘i ruling on writing down Hadith?
❖ Answer
الحمد لله، والصلاة والسلام علىٰ رسول الله، أما بعد!
The writing of Hadith is unanimously permissible. Initially, there was some difference among the early generations, but later the Ummah reached ijmaʿ (consensus) on its permissibility, recommendation, and in some cases obligation.
◈ Statements of Scholars and Early Generations
- ʿAllamah al-Sarsari (716 AH) رحمه الله:
He explained that preservation of knowledge can be through memorization without writing, and it can also be preserved through writing even if not memorized. (al-Taʿyin p. 15) - ʿAbdullah ibn ʿAbbas رضي الله عنهما:
During the illness of the Prophet ﷺ, he said:
«آتوني بكتاب أكتب لكم كتابا لا تضلوا بعده»
"Bring me something to write on, so that I may write for you a document after which you will never go astray."
(Sahih al-Bukhari 114; Sahih Muslim 1637) - Anas ibn Malik رضي الله عنه:
He used to say to his children:
"يا بني قيدوا العلم بالكتاب"
"My sons! Preserve knowledge by writing it down."
(al-ʿIlm by Zuhayr ibn Harb p. 120; al-Mustadrak of al-Hakim 361, Hasan chain) - Ibn ʿAbbas رضي الله عنهما explained regarding the Qur’anic verse ﴿وَكَانَ تَحْتَهُ كَنْزٌ لَهُمَا﴾ that the "treasure" under the wall was not gold or silver but written pages of knowledge. (al-Mustadrak 3396; Taqyid al-ʿIlm p. 117, Hasan chain)
- Saʿid ibn Jubayr (95 AH) رحمه الله:
He used to write Hadith on the saddle frame while traveling with Ibn ʿAbbas رضي الله عنهما, then later transcribe it properly. (Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah 26434; Sunan al-Darimi 516, Sahih chain) - al-Dahhak ibn Muzahim (after 100 AH) رحمه الله:
"If you hear something, then write it down, even if on a wall." (Jamiʿ Bayan al-ʿIlm 401, Sahih chain) - ʿUmar ibn ʿAbd al-ʿAziz (101 AH) رحمه الله:
He wrote to the people of Madinah to focus on Hadith and write it down, fearing the loss of knowledge and its people. (Sunan al-Darimi 504–505, Sahih chain) - Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal (241 AH) and Imam Ishaq ibn Rahawayh (238 AH) رحمهما الله:
"Had it not been for the writing of Hadith, what value would we have?" (Masa’il al-Kawsaj 3313) - Qadi ʿIyad (544 AH) رحمه الله:
After mentioning earlier differences, he wrote: “Afterwards, there was consensus of all shaykhs, imams, and scholars on writing Hadith.” (al-Ilmaʿ p. 147) - Hafiz al-Nawawi (676 AH) رحمه الله:
"Some early Muslims prohibited writing knowledge, but the majority permitted it. Later, the Ummah unanimously agreed on its recommendation." (Sharh Muslim 9/129) - Hafiz Ibn Hajar (852 AH) رحمه الله:
"Consensus has been established on the permissibility of writing knowledge; rather, it is recommended, and for those who fear forgetting — especially transmitters of knowledge — it may even be obligatory." (Hady al-Sari p. 204)
◈ Conclusion
- Writing Hadith is permissible, recommended, and in some cases obligatory.
- The early hesitation was temporary; later ijmaʿ of the Ummah confirmed its legitimacy.
- Preservation of knowledge through writing is a Shar‘i command, ensuring its protection from loss and distortion.
ھذا ما عندي والله أعلم بالصواب
