Who are 'munkireen-i-hadeeth'? There are people who say why is there a need to follow ahaadeeth, if Qur'aan is a true word of Allaah?

A HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF THE REFUTATION OF THE HADITH AND THE AUTHENTICITY%0D%0AOF ITS COMPILATION%0D%0AThe Ahaadith of Rasulullah ((Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) have been%0D%0Aunanimously accepted by the entire Ummah as the source of Islamic Law, after%0D%0Athe Noble Qur%E3n. In fact, upon pondering, it can be concluded that the%0D%0Aentire Ahaadith contain the real essence of Islamic Law (Islamic Shariah) as%0D%0Athe Ahaadith comprise of the mubarak words, actions and approvals of the%0D%0AHoly Prophet (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) who has interpreted the Noble%0D%0AQuran and defined its object and purpose. However, it is regrettable that a%0D%0Acertain group of people influenced by the corrupt western culture and%0D%0Acivilization, have began refuting the Ahaadith.%0D%0A%0D%0AIn the beginning of the twentieth century, when the Western nations%0D%0Adominated over Muslims, many Muslims of poor understanding and little%0D%0Aknowledge became overwhelmed by the Western Ideologies and concepts. They%0D%0Aopined that progress was impossible without upholding and adopting the%0D%0Awestern lifestyle. They began propagating this concept among the masses. In%0D%0Aorder to propagate this concept they distorted all the Islamic teachings%0D%0Athat opposed this western culture and ideology. This group was called the%0D%0Amodernists. Among the leaders of such groups were people like Sir Sayed and%0D%0AAhmed Khan of India, Taha Hussain of Egypt and Ziyad Khog of Turkey. It%0D%0Ashould be borne in mind that the objects and aims of this group could not be%0D%0Aachieved without rejecting the Ahaadith because, the Ahaadith contain%0D%0Adetailed guidelines to every aspect of life which are totally opposed to%0D%0Awestern norms and trends.%0D%0A%0D%0AConsequently, a group among this cult began to negate the Ahaadith and%0D%0Acalled themselves the "Quranic Group". Sir Sayed and his companion Moulvi%0D%0AChirag Ali were the founders of this movement in India. They did not negate%0D%0Athe Ahaadith completely, instead they rejected all those that were contrary%0D%0Ato their aims and objects and their limited understanding and reasoning even%0D%0Athough all these Ahaadith were authentically narrated. They discreetly%0D%0Apropagated that the Ahaadith are not legal Shariah proof in this age and%0D%0Aera. This led to the legalising of interest and usury; the rejection of the%0D%0AProphets, the denial of the Angels, the negation of Purdah and other%0D%0Aessentials of Islam, and moreover, legalizing of prohibited things.%0D%0A%0D%0AThereafter, Abdullah Chakardalwi formed a group called, Quranic Group and%0D%0Ahis object was the total rejection of Ahaadith. This concept was further%0D%0Apromoted by Aslam Inerajpuri. Finally, Gulam Ahmed Parwez established this%0D%0Aerroneous belief among the masses through his influential writings. This%0D%0Afitnah spread widely in his period (era). Basically this fitnah revolves%0D%0Aaround 3 different beliefs viz.%0D%0A1. The Holy Prophet's (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) mission was to deliver%0D%0Athe Quran only. Obedience is restricted to the Quran only. Adherence to the%0D%0AHoly Prophet (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) is not binding upon us, nor was%0D%0Ait binding upon the Sahaba (RA). Divine Revelation was only in the form of%0D%0Athe Quran. Hence there is no need for the Ahaadith.%0D%0A2. The Sayings of the Holy Prophet (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) were%0D%0Abinding and obligatory upon the Sahaba (RA) only, not upon us.%0D%0A3. The teachings of the Holy Prophet (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) are%0D%0Abinding upon the entire Ummah. However, due to the Ahaadith being%0D%0Aunauthentic, we are not obliged to accept them%0D%0A%0D%0AAll these concepts are totally false and rejected. Numerous verses of the%0D%0ANoble Quran, prove that divine revelation besides the Noble Quran, was%0D%0Arevealed to the Holy Prophet (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam). Missions of the%0D%0AHoly Prophet (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) as mentioned in the Noble Qur%E3n%0D%0Ais to teach and explain the Noble Qur%E3n and its wisdom. If the Ahaadith are%0D%0Arejected, can this object of teaching and explaining the Quran be realised?%0D%0AAnother clear indication towards the authenticity of the Ahaadith is the%0D%0Afact that the Noble Qur%E3n commands us to show obedience to the Holy Prophet%0D%0A(Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) together with obedience to Allah. In one%0D%0Averse, obedience to the Holy Prophet (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) has been%0D%0Aregarded as the basis of Imaan. Logically, it is not possible to follow the%0D%0AQuranic injunctions without the Ahaadith as the details of many Quranic%0D%0Ainjunctions such as Salaat, Zakaat, Haj, etc. are explained in the Ahaadith.%0D%0AThe entire Ummah has accepted the authenticity of the Ahaadith in order to%0D%0Amake the divine injunctions practical. Can it be claimed that the entire%0D%0AUmmah is misguided?%0D%0A%0D%0AThe fallacy of the second (concept) belief i.e. obedience of the Holy%0D%0AProphet is binding upon the Sahaba (RA) only, is evident and exposed that%0D%0Aneeds no further elaboration. This concept implies that the Prophethood of%0D%0Athe Holy Prophet (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) was restricted only to the%0D%0Aperiod of his companions whereas numerous verses very clearly indicate the%0D%0Aopposite. - "O people I am a prophet to all of you". "We did not send you%0D%0Aexcept to all the people' as a giver of glad tidings and as a warner". "We%0D%0Adid not send you, except as a mercy to all the worlds". "Blessed is the one%0D%0Awho revealed the Furqaan that he may be a warner to the worlds".%0D%0A%0D%0AAnother question that arises with this concept is: Are the Sahaba who%0D%0Awitnessed the revelation of the Noble Qur%E3n more in need of its explanation%0D%0Aor are the ones that came after them more in need?%0D%0A%0D%0AThe third concept is also totally unacceptable because the Quran has reached%0D%0Aus through the same method as the Ahaadith have reached us. If the Ahaadith%0D%0Aare unauthentic, can one declare the Noble Quran unauthentic as well. The%0D%0Adivine promise of safe-guarding Noble Qur%E3n embodies the safeguarding of the%0D%0AAhaadith also, because the Ahaadith explain the Quran without which one%0D%0Acannot practise upon the Quran.%0D%0A%0D%0ATHE STAGES OF THE COMPILATION OF AHAADITH%0D%0AThe Ahaadith were not compiled and codified in the time of the Holy Prophet%0D%0A(Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) like it is today. There existed no real need%0D%0Afor this as the Sahaba memorised virtually every word spoken by the Holy%0D%0AProphet (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam). Allah Ta'ala had granted them such%0D%0Aperfect and excellent memories that once they heard anything they used to%0D%0Aremember it throughout their lives. The remembering of lengthy poems and the%0D%0Aancestral details of horses and camels bears testimony to this fact. Once%0D%0AHazrat Ibn Umar (RA) repeated Ahaadith to a bedouin, in order for him to%0D%0Amemorize it well. The bedouin remarked, "Enough, once is sufficient I shall%0D%0Anot forget it till death. I have performed 60 pilgrimages on 60 camels and I%0D%0Aknow perfectly well which Hajj I performed on which camel."%0D%0A%0D%0AThis was the condition of the bedouins in ordinary matters and mundane talk.%0D%0AHow much more did they preserve the speech of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi%0D%0AWasallam). Not only his speech but every action notion, indication,%0D%0Aapproval, disapproval and deed of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam)%0D%0Awas preserved by them. They valued these more than their lives and wealth.%0D%0AThey used to alternate with their business partners in sitting in the%0D%0Agathering of the Holy Prophet (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam). Each partner%0D%0Aused to narrate to his companion what he had heard the Holy Prophet%0D%0A(Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) say. Extreme measures were taken to safeguard%0D%0Athe words of the Holy Prophet (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam). Many of them%0D%0A(did not know how to write) were not literate. However, the Sahaba who knew%0D%0Ahow to write used to record and write down the Ahaadith as well. The%0D%0AAhaadith were recorded in the presence of the Holy Prophet (Sallallaahu%0D%0AAlayhi Wasallam)%0D%0A%0D%0ATHE PROHIBITION OF RECORDING HADITH AND ITS ANSWER%0D%0AThe Holy Prophet (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) has mentioned in one Hadith,%0D%0A'Do not record (write) from me anything except the Quran. Whosoever has%0D%0Awritten anything should obliterate it. (Muslim vol.2 Pg.44)%0D%0A%0D%0AThis prohibition is of a temporary nature when the Quran was initially being%0D%0Arevealed (and there was a possibility of the hadith and Quran being mixed%0D%0Aup) so that the hadith and the Quran do not get mixed up. When this initial%0D%0Aperiod has passed and this possibility was ruled out, this prohibition%0D%0Aceased and an order was given to write and record the Ahaadith as Allama%0D%0AIbne-Hajar has detailed in his commentary on Bukhari Shareef. Allama Nawawi%0D%0Ain the commentary of Muslim Shareef has stated that the prohibition was when%0D%0Athe mixing was feared. Thereafter when it was safe, permission was granted%0D%0Afor writing.%0D%0A%0D%0ATHE THREE METHODS OF PRESERVING AND SAFEGUARDING THE HADITH%0D%0AWe hereby detail all the methods utilised to preserve Ahaadith from the%0D%0Aprophetic era upto this day. There is consensus that recording and writing%0D%0Awas not the only method of safeguarding Ahaadith. There existed other%0D%0Areliable methods as well:%0D%0A%0D%0A1. MEMORISING THE AHAADITH%0D%0AThe most reliable method adopted by the Sahaaba (RA) to safeguard the%0D%0AAhaadith was through memory.%0D%0A%0D%0A2. PRESERVATION THROUGH ACTION AND PRACTICE%0D%0AThis was another reliable means of protecting and safeguarding the Ahaadith.%0D%0AThe Sahaaba (RA) used to transform the words of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu%0D%0AAlayhi Wasallam) into action immediately and every Sahaabi used to practice%0D%0Aupon the Hadith. This resulted in every word of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu%0D%0AAlayhi Wasallam) becoming a practical action and deed, which was thoroughly%0D%0Aremembered and preserved. Therefore, many traditions contact the phrases:%0D%0A"This is how I saw the Holy Prophet (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) carry out%0D%0Aand perform this."%0D%0A%0D%0AThis practical method was very effective in preserving the Ahaadith. It is%0D%0Acontinuing upto this day.%0D%0A%0D%0A3. WRITING AND RECORDING THE HADITH%0D%0AThis method was also customary in the prophetic era. This procedure had%0D%0Apassed through four stages (phases)%0D%0A%0D%0A1. Recording of Ahaadith without any arrangement or sequence%0D%0A2. Arranging the Ahaadith relating to certain subject (topic) or subjects%0D%0Ainto one small book%0D%0A3. Accumulating of various Ahaadith into one book.%0D%0A4. Compiling Ahaadith and codifying.%0D%0A%0D%0AThe first two types of compiling were extensively practised during the time%0D%0Aof the Prophet (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) and the Sahaba (RA). The%0D%0Afollowing details will suffice for the Rejectors of Hadith.%0D%0A%0D%0A1. Imam Tirmidhi has included a special chapter in the Chapter of knowledge%0D%0Atitled, The chapter of the permissibility of recording Hadith - Hazrat Abu%0D%0AHurrairah (RA) reports that the Holy Prophet indicated to a certain Ansari%0D%0ASahabi whose memory was weak, to write. One Ansari Sahabi (RA) used to sit%0D%0Aby Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) and listen to the Hadith; it%0D%0Aused to please him, but he was unable to memorise it. He complained to the%0D%0AHoly Prophet (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) who replied, "Seek assistance%0D%0Awith your right hand and he indicated towards writing with his hand (Jamia%0D%0ATirmizi vol. 2 pg. 107).%0D%0A2. In a tradition recorded in Mustadrak-e-Haakim, Hazrat Amr bin Aas (R.A.)%0D%0Areports, 'I used to record everything the Holy Prophet (Sallallaahu Alayhi%0D%0AWasallam) used to say with an incitation of (accumility) and gathering same.%0D%0AThe Quraish stopped me saying: "Do you write everything the Holy Prophet%0D%0A(Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) says? He is a human being, he speaks in anger%0D%0Aand happiness." I abstained from writing. I mentioned this to the Holy%0D%0AProphet (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) and he indicated towards his tongue%0D%0Aand said, 'Write! By Him in whose hand is my life. Nothing except the truth%0D%0Acomes out of it.' (Mustadrak Vol.1 Page 104)%0D%0A3. In one Hadith recorded in Mustadrak-e-Haakim, an explicit and clear order%0D%0Aof writing is given. The words are 'Tie down knowledge', the Sahaabi%0D%0Aenquired, 'What is tying down knowledge?' The Prophet (Sallallaahu Alayhi%0D%0AWasallam) replied, 'It's writing.' (Mustadrak vol. 1 pg. 106)%0D%0A4. The incident of Abu Shah Yemani is famous. Once the Holy Prophet%0D%0A(Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) mentioned an incident and upon the request of%0D%0AAbu Shah the Holy Prophet (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) instructed the%0D%0ASahaaba to write for Abu Shah - this Hadith is recorded in Jame Tirmidhi%0D%0Avol. 2 pg. 107 and Bukhari vol. 1 pg. 23%0D%0A%0D%0AThere are numerous traditions indicating the instruction of writing%0D%0AAhaadith. Therefore, many Sahaaba recorded ahaadith in the Prophetic era.%0D%0AReferences are many of such collections and compilations.%0D%0A%0D%0A1. THE SAHIFA (COLLECTION) OF ABDULLAH IBN AMR (Radhiallaahu %C1nhu)%0D%0AHadhrat Abu Hurayrah (Radhiallaahu %C1nhu) is the greatest narrator of Hadith.%0D%0ADespite this he says, 'No person has learnt more Hadith than me. However,%0D%0AAbdullah bin Amr (Radhiallaahu %C1nhu) used to write the Hadith and I should%0D%0Anot write.' This is clear evidence that Hadith used to be written in that%0D%0Aera. Hadhrat Abdullah bin Amr (Radhiallaahu %C1nhu) possessed a collection%0D%0Athat exceeded one thousand Ahaadith. Ibnr-Rushd has mentioned in his Kitaab%0D%0AAsadul Ghaaba (vol. 3 pg. 233) that, this collection was named As-saadiqah.%0D%0A%0D%0A2. THE SAHIFA (COLLECTION OF HADHRAT ALI (Radhiallaahu %C1nhu)%0D%0AImaam Bukhari (RA) has mentioned in this Sahifa in the chapter of "Ilm"%0D%0A(vol. 1 pg. 21) and, he has mentioned it in four places The narrator Abu%0D%0AJuhaifa reports that, 'I enquired from Hazrat Ali (R.A.), do you possess a%0D%0Abook?' He replied: "No, except the Book of Allah or the understanding%0D%0Agranted to a Muslim or what is in this Sahifa." I asked him, "What is in%0D%0Athis Sahifa?" He replied, "Orders relating to 'Diyat' (penalty or murder) -%0D%0Athe freeing of prisoners and no Muslim will be killed in lieu of a kaafir."%0D%0A%0D%0AThis Sahifa contained orders regarding, murder, compensations, capital%0D%0Apunishments, details of Zakaat and matters relating to non-Muslim citizens%0D%0Ain an Islamic State.%0D%0A%0D%0A3. KITABUS - SAQAH%0D%0AThis collection was personally dictated by the Holy Prophet (Sallallaahu%0D%0AAlayhi Wasallam). It contained details regarding Zakaat, Ushar etc.%0D%0AAccording to some reports it seems as though this was written for the Zakaat%0D%0Acollectors. However, the Holy Prophet (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) left%0D%0Athis world before it was sent to them. This kitaab remained with Hazrat Abu%0D%0ABakr and Hazrat Umar (R.A.). Eventually Hazrat Umar bin Abdul Aziz memorized%0D%0Ait and thereafter Ibn Shihaab Zohri memorised it.%0D%0A%0D%0A4. SAHIFA IBN ABBAS (R.A.)%0D%0AIbn Saad (R.A.) mentions in his kitaab "Tabaqaat" that the slave of Ibn%0D%0AAbbas (R.A.) said 'He found a large collection of the kitaabs of Ibn Abbas%0D%0Aequal to a camel-load.'%0D%0A%0D%0A5. SAHIFA JAABIR IBN ABDULLAH (Radhiallaahu %C1nhu)%0D%0AImaam Muslim has reported that Hadhrat Jaabir (Radhiallaahu %C1nhu) had%0D%0Acompiled a book on Hajj. Imaam Bukhari mentioned this is his%0D%0ATaarikh-e-Kabeer vol. 7 pg. 186) - Hadhrat Qataaqda bin De'aama as-Sodusi%0D%0Ahad memorised this Sahifa.%0D%0A%0D%0A6. SAHIFA SAMURA IBN JUNDOB (Radhiallaahu %C1nhu)%0D%0AHafiz ibn Hajar (RA) reports that Hadhrat Samoora (Radhiallaahu %C1nhu) has%0D%0Anarrated a big (volume) chapter from his father. Imaam Muhammad ibn Sireen%0D%0A(RA) reports that the Kitaab which Hadhrat Samoora (Radhiallaahu %C1nhu) has%0D%0Awritten for his children contains great knowledge.%0D%0A%0D%0A7. SAHIFA SAAD IBN UBADA%0D%0AIbn Saad reports in 'Tabaqaat' that Hadhrat Saad (Radhiallaahu %C1nhu) had a%0D%0Acollection of Ahaadith.%0D%0A%0D%0A8. SAHIFA ABU HURAYRA (Radhiallaahu %C1nhu)%0D%0AImaam Hakim mentions in Mustadrak that once Hadhrat Hassan ibn Umar narrated%0D%0Aa Hadith to Hadhrat Abu Hurayra (Radhiallaahu %C1nhu). Hadhrat Abu Hurayra%0D%0Adenied the Hadith. Hadhrat Hassan told him, 'I have narrated this Hadith%0D%0Afrom you'. He replied, 'If I have narrated it, it will definitely be written%0D%0Adown.'%0D%0A%0D%0AHe had written down all his Hadith in the end.%0D%0A%0D%0A9. SAHIFA IBN MAS'OOD%0D%0AHafiz ibn Abdul-Barr (RA) mentions in his Kitaab, 'Jaame Bayaan nul-Ilm'%0D%0Athat ibn Mas'ood (Radhiallaahu %C1nhu) took out one Kitaab and swore an oath%0D%0Athat it was compiled by him.%0D%0A%0D%0A10. SAHIFA AMR IBN HAZAM (Radhiallaahu %C1nhu)%0D%0AWhen the Holy Prophet (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) appointed Hadhrat ibn%0D%0AHazam (Radhiallaahu %C1nhu) as a governor of Najran, he gave him a Sahifa%0D%0Awhich was written by Hadhrat Ubayy bin Ka'ab. It contained orders regarding%0D%0Acleanliness, purification, Salaat, Hajj, Umra, Jihaad, etc.%0D%0A%0D%0A11. SAHIFA IBN MUBAARAK%0D%0AHadhrat Sa'eed ibn Hilaal says, 'When we frequented Hadhrat Anas bin Maalik%0D%0Ahe took out a volume and said, 'I heard these from the Holy Prophet%0D%0A(Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam). I have written it and preserved it.'%0D%0A(Mustadrak Hakim vol. 3 pg. 54)%0D%0A%0D%0A12. There are many other small Sahifas which the holy Prophet (Sallallaahu%0D%0AAlayhi Wasallam) sent to the kings; and, other compilations which have been%0D%0Aomitted for the sake of brevity.%0D%0A%0D%0ATHE ERA OF HADHRAT UMAR BIN ABDUL AZIZ%0D%0AThough the writing of the Ahaadith had commenced it was not done in an%0D%0Aarranged manner, i.e. it was compiled and codified. Due to the%0D%0Apre-occupations of the Khulafaa-e-Raashideen with the compilation of the%0D%0ANoble Qur%E3n and other important matters, it was not possible for them to%0D%0Aaccomplish this task.%0D%0A%0D%0AHowever, when the politicians at the time of Hazrat Ali (R.A.) began to%0D%0Afabricate false Ahaadith Hazrat Ali became concerned about safeguarding the%0D%0Aauthentic Ahaadith. He used to stand on the mimbar and announce the%0D%0Aauthentic Ahaadith to the people. This continued till the period of Hazrat%0D%0AUmar bin Abdul Aziz (R.A.) who became the khalifa after the demise of%0D%0ASulayman bin Abdul Malik. His khilafat lasted only for 2 years. After%0D%0Aaccepting khilafat, he wrote to the judge of Madinah, Abubakr bin Hazm%0D%0Asaying, "Whatever you find from the Ahaadith of the Holy Prophet%0D%0A(Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam), write it down. I fear the loss of knowledge%0D%0Aand the passing away of the Ulema. (Bukhari vol.1 page 20)%0D%0A%0D%0AHafiz Ibn Hajar mentions that this letter was addressed to all the Judges of%0D%0Aevery province. A large collection of Ahaadith were compiled in this manner%0D%0Ain the first century.%0D%0A1. Hafiz Ibn Abdul Bar has written that Qazi Abu Bakr has compiled many%0D%0Abooks on Ahaadith called "Books of Abu Bakr."%0D%0A2. The Risala (Booker) of Saalim ibn Abdullah on Sadaqaat.%0D%0A3. The Registers of Zohri - he says that whenever we were given any command%0D%0Awe compiled a brief register. He had played a great role in the compilation%0D%0Aof Hadith.%0D%0A%0D%0ATHE COMPILATIONS OF THE SECOND - CENTURY%0D%0AVarious collections of Hadith are found in this era like Jame Ma'moon bin%0D%0ARaashid, Jame Sufyaan Sowri, As-Sunem of Ibn Juray - Sunan Abul Waleed -%0D%0AMu'atta Imam Maalik.%0D%0A%0D%0A%3EFrom the above discussion we reach the following conclusion that: 1. The%0D%0Arecording and writing of hadith had began from the time of the Holy Prophet%0D%0A(Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam).%0D%0A2. Compiling had began in the time of the Sahaba (R.A.) especially in the%0D%0Atime of Hazrat Ali (R.A.);%0D%0A4. Hazrat Umar bin Abdul Aziz strived in this matter and a large collection%0D%0Awas accumulated during his period;%0D%0A5. Many books were compiled in the first century;%0D%0A6. the objections and arguments of the Rejectors of hadith are fully%0D%0Aanswered;%0D%0A7. the fitnah of Rejection in hadith is old and detrimental to religion, in%0D%0Afact rejecting the Quran;%0D%0A8. the Ahaadith are a complementary and explanation of the Quran;%0D%0A9. the safeguarding of the Quran entails the safeguarding of the Hadith.%0D%0A%0D%0AAnd Allah Ta'ala Knows Best.%0D%0A