Definition of Ḥadīth

Definition of ḥadīth according to the muḥaddithīn

The definition of ḥadīth[1] according to the muḥaddithīn is everything which is transmitted about the Prophet ﷺ. This includes his words, actions, tacit approvals,[2] descriptions of his physical attributes and characteristics including his movements whilst asleep and awake, regardless of whether this was before or after prophethood.

Definition of ḥadīth according to the fuqaḥā and uṣūliyyīn

The fuqaḥā place emphasis on aḥādīth insofar as they relate to the words of the Prophet ﷺ and his actions after prophethood.[3]

Cause of difference between the two definitions

The purpose of the fuqaḥā is to derive rulings, therefore they have no need to delve into the condition of the Prophet ﷺsave for certain rulings. Likewise, the fuqaḥā do not look at that which occurred before prophethood as opposed to the muḥaddithīn who look at everything which is attributed to the Prophet ﷺ.[4]

Some have included the statements of the ṣaḥābah and tābieen in their definition of ḥadīth.[5] However, Ibn Taymiyyah, Kirmānī, Ibn Ḥajar, al-Aynī, al-Sakhāwī and others have opted not to include the statements of the ṣaḥābah and tābieen as part of the definition of ḥadīth. They are instead referred to as āthār. 

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[1] Literally: something new. Plural. aḥādīth. 

[2] For example; “A lizard was brought to Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) but he neither consumed it nor declared it unlawful.” Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 1943e

[3] As for tacit approval this falls under the first category, his words, as this is treated like his words in ruling. Alternatively it may fall under the second, his actions, as the absence of speech is action. Taqrīr al-Mishkāt, Shaykh Muḥammad Salmān al-Sahāranpūrī.

[4] Cf. Nawādir al-ḥadīth, Durr al-Manḍūd, al-Urf al-Fiyāh 

[5] Such as Ṭībī, Jurjānī, ‘Abd Al-Ḥaqq Dihlawī