Introduction to Hadith

Definition of hadith

The definition as preferred by the fuqaha is that which is attributed to the Prophet ﷺ whether it is a saying, action or a tacit approval. The muhadditheen are also interested in the condition (ahwaal) of the Prophet ﷺ ie. his description, when he was born etc. The fuqaha are generally not focused on this aspect unless they determine whether it has been abrogated (nasikh) or not (mansukh).  

The meaning of tacit approval is that which one did or said in the presence of the Prophet ﷺ and he did not deny it nor prevent them from doing so, rather he remained silent and therefore approved of it.

The difference between Hadith Qudsi and Quran:

Hadith Qudsi	Quran
Not all of it is mutawaatir – ظني	All of it is mutawaatir – قطعي
Understood meaning from Allah, wording of the Prophet (ﷺ)	Actual meaning and wording of Allah
غيرمتلو –  not recited in salah	متلو – recited in salah

Etymology and usage

Hadith literally means that which is said. The following words are often used interchangeably; hadith, athar, riwayah, khabr, sunnah.

Subject Matter

The Prophet ﷺ is the broad subject matter. [1]

Aim / Outcome

According to Allamah Kirmani it is to attain success in both this world and the hereafter.

Virtue of ****hadith

The status of hadith

In terms of ranking, first it will be the Quran and then the hadith.

Classification

Ilm al-hadith can be classified into two disciplines:

1. Ilm riwayatul hadith – this focuses on transferring the actions, statements and condition of the Prophet ﷺ through listening and preservation of writing.
2. Ilm diarayatul hadith – this focuses on the sanad, the types of riwayah, the hukm of the riwayah, the quality of the narrators, narration and its meaning.

Ilm diarayatul hadith can be further split into two categories:

1. Ilm usool al-hadith – primarily looks at the sanad and its reliability, but also the matn
2. Ilm fiqh al-hadith – focuses on the meaning and its application

[1]see discussion by Allah Kafiji in Tadrib al-Rawi