I am a new convert to Islam, having reverted about a month ago, and I have been studying nonstop during this time. However, I have read some things that have caused me to doubt the "authentic" collections of Hadith. It is not that I am ungreatful for hadith (what more could we ask for besides volumes and volumes of comprehensive instructions for pretty much anything we come across in life?) or that I disrespect or wish to disobey the Prophet (PBUH), no, that is the furthest thing from what I want to do.
Actually, what happened was I was reading about Rashad Khalifa's "submission" cult, and while most of what he says is thinly veiled manipulation and blasphemy, his followers (and ex-followers who still follow Qu'ran Alone) presented a case against Hadith with formidable logic. Here it is, as I understand it:
[45.6] These are the communications of Allah which We recite to you with truth; then in what announcement would they believe after Allah and His communications?
In the original Arabic, this verse used the word "Hadith", not "communications", which casts doubt on sayings other than the sayings of the Qu'ran.
[6.38] And there is no animal that walks upon the earth nor a bird that flies with its two wings but (they are) genera like yourselves; We have not neglected anything in the Book, then to their Lord shall they be gathered.
This verse declares that nothing is left out of the Qu'ran, and when combined with 5:101 ([5.101] O you who believe! do not put questions about things which if declared to you may trouble you, and if you question about them when the Quran is being revealed, they shall be declared to you; Allah pardons this, and Allah is Forgiving, Forbearing.), seems to imply that anything not mentioned in the Qu'ran (such as details of prayer, etc), was left out intentionally.
[6.114] Shall I then seek a judge other than Allah? And He it is Who has revealed to you the Book (which is) made plain; and those whom We have given the Book know that it is revealed by your Lord with truth, therefore you should not be of the disputers.
No judge other than Allah (SWT), which means, the Hadith should not be referred to when trying to settle a matter of religion - only Allah (SWT) and his Qu'ran. Furthermore, it says that the Qu'ran is plain (easy to comprehend) which implies that it does not need to be interpreted through Hadith.
[6.33] We know indeed that what they say certainly grieves you, but surely they do not call you a liar; but the unjust deny the communications of Allah.
This verse says that people will not reject Muhammad (PBUH) but reject the Qu'ran... which is what it seems like people are doing when they draw on Hadith for religious guidance when the Qu'ran says not to.
[7.3] Follow what has been revealed to you from your Lord and do not follow guardians besides Him, how little do you mind.
What has been revealed to us? The Qu'ran, right? If we follow hadith, isn't that putting another guardian beside him?
[17.46] And We have placed coverings on their hearts and a heaviness in their ears lest they understand it, and when you mention your Lord alone in the Quran they turn their backs in aversion.
This verse states that people will dislike "God Alone" in the Qu'ran -- like people dislike it when someone does not look to the example of the Prophet (PBUH) in matters of religion, but to the Qu'ran alone.
[5.3] Forbidden to you is that which dies of itself, and blood, and flesh of swine, and that on which any other name than that of Allah has been invoked, and the strangled (animal) and that beaten to death, and that killed by a fall and that killed by being smitten with the horn, and that which wild beasts have eaten, except what you slaughter, and what is sacrificed on stones set up (for idols) and that you divide by the arrows; that is a transgression. This day have those who disbelieve despaired of your religion, so fear them not, and fear Me. This day have I perfected for you your religion and completed My favor on you and chosen for you Islam as a religion; but whoever is compelled by hunger, not inclining willfully to sin, then surely Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.
This verse states what is forbidden and then says that the religion is perfected. If it was perfected then, wouldn't a Hadith collection compiled 200 years later be an innovation, no matter how "authentic" it was?
[4.171] O followers of the Book! do not exceed the limits in your religion, and do not speak (lies) against Allah, but (speak) the truth; the Messiah, Isa son of Marium is only an apostle of Allah and His Word which He communicated to Marium and a spirit from Him; believe therefore in Allah and His apostles, and say not, Three. Desist, it is better for you; Allah is only one God; far be It from His glory that He should have a son, whatever is in the heavens and whatever is in the earth is His, and Allah is sufficient for a Protector.
This verse says not to commit excess in religion, and then talks about the excessive reverence of Isa (PBUH). The argument of the Qu'ran-aloners is that same excessive reverence is projected onto Muhammad (PBUH) by Muslims. Even though they do not believe he is God-incarnate (Allah save us from this blasphemy), they still take what is explained in Hadith as a law of religion instead of accepting the blanks that the Qu'ran left for us (maybe Allah (SWT) left those things out on purpose?).
Finally,
[46.9] Say: I am not the first of the apostles, and I do not know what will be done with me or with you: I do not follow anything but that which is revealed to me, and I am nothing but a plain warner.
Here the Prophet (PBUH) is saying that he only followed what was revealed to him (Qu'ran). Isn't it incumbent upon us to follow his example, in following only what he followed? There is Hadith that said he prohibitted anyone from writing down what he said, for fear they would take it as part of the revelation. 200 years later, collections of Hadith are released anyway, and people indeed follow them as if they are revelation... doesn't this cause anybody else to wonder? I've seen the numerous verses that say "obey God and His Messenger" but it seems the Messenger demanded not to collect Hadith. Also, the verse that says "in the Prophet is a beautiful example" has been used to try to prove Hadith, but it does not contain a clear command to imitate the Prophet, nor does it imply that Hadith is an accurate preservation of his example or that his example was meant to last beyond his lifetime.
It may just be that I am under the spell of some gone astray, that their argument is flawed and I just can't see it because of my lack of knowledge. I would certainly appreciate being able to accept the comprehensive collections of Hadith for religious guidance, but I am afraid they are prohibitted by the Qu'ran. If anyone else who knows more about this than this new convert can help me to understand please correct me.
Actually, what happened was I was reading about Rashad Khalifa's "submission" cult, and while most of what he says is thinly veiled manipulation and blasphemy, his followers (and ex-followers who still follow Qu'ran Alone) presented a case against Hadith with formidable logic. Here it is, as I understand it:
[45.6] These are the communications of Allah which We recite to you with truth; then in what announcement would they believe after Allah and His communications?
In the original Arabic, this verse used the word "Hadith", not "communications", which casts doubt on sayings other than the sayings of the Qu'ran.
[6.38] And there is no animal that walks upon the earth nor a bird that flies with its two wings but (they are) genera like yourselves; We have not neglected anything in the Book, then to their Lord shall they be gathered.
This verse declares that nothing is left out of the Qu'ran, and when combined with 5:101 ([5.101] O you who believe! do not put questions about things which if declared to you may trouble you, and if you question about them when the Quran is being revealed, they shall be declared to you; Allah pardons this, and Allah is Forgiving, Forbearing.), seems to imply that anything not mentioned in the Qu'ran (such as details of prayer, etc), was left out intentionally.
[6.114] Shall I then seek a judge other than Allah? And He it is Who has revealed to you the Book (which is) made plain; and those whom We have given the Book know that it is revealed by your Lord with truth, therefore you should not be of the disputers.
No judge other than Allah (SWT), which means, the Hadith should not be referred to when trying to settle a matter of religion - only Allah (SWT) and his Qu'ran. Furthermore, it says that the Qu'ran is plain (easy to comprehend) which implies that it does not need to be interpreted through Hadith.
[6.33] We know indeed that what they say certainly grieves you, but surely they do not call you a liar; but the unjust deny the communications of Allah.
This verse says that people will not reject Muhammad (PBUH) but reject the Qu'ran... which is what it seems like people are doing when they draw on Hadith for religious guidance when the Qu'ran says not to.
[7.3] Follow what has been revealed to you from your Lord and do not follow guardians besides Him, how little do you mind.
What has been revealed to us? The Qu'ran, right? If we follow hadith, isn't that putting another guardian beside him?
[17.46] And We have placed coverings on their hearts and a heaviness in their ears lest they understand it, and when you mention your Lord alone in the Quran they turn their backs in aversion.
This verse states that people will dislike "God Alone" in the Qu'ran -- like people dislike it when someone does not look to the example of the Prophet (PBUH) in matters of religion, but to the Qu'ran alone.
[5.3] Forbidden to you is that which dies of itself, and blood, and flesh of swine, and that on which any other name than that of Allah has been invoked, and the strangled (animal) and that beaten to death, and that killed by a fall and that killed by being smitten with the horn, and that which wild beasts have eaten, except what you slaughter, and what is sacrificed on stones set up (for idols) and that you divide by the arrows; that is a transgression. This day have those who disbelieve despaired of your religion, so fear them not, and fear Me. This day have I perfected for you your religion and completed My favor on you and chosen for you Islam as a religion; but whoever is compelled by hunger, not inclining willfully to sin, then surely Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.
This verse states what is forbidden and then says that the religion is perfected. If it was perfected then, wouldn't a Hadith collection compiled 200 years later be an innovation, no matter how "authentic" it was?
[4.171] O followers of the Book! do not exceed the limits in your religion, and do not speak (lies) against Allah, but (speak) the truth; the Messiah, Isa son of Marium is only an apostle of Allah and His Word which He communicated to Marium and a spirit from Him; believe therefore in Allah and His apostles, and say not, Three. Desist, it is better for you; Allah is only one God; far be It from His glory that He should have a son, whatever is in the heavens and whatever is in the earth is His, and Allah is sufficient for a Protector.
This verse says not to commit excess in religion, and then talks about the excessive reverence of Isa (PBUH). The argument of the Qu'ran-aloners is that same excessive reverence is projected onto Muhammad (PBUH) by Muslims. Even though they do not believe he is God-incarnate (Allah save us from this blasphemy), they still take what is explained in Hadith as a law of religion instead of accepting the blanks that the Qu'ran left for us (maybe Allah (SWT) left those things out on purpose?).
Finally,
[46.9] Say: I am not the first of the apostles, and I do not know what will be done with me or with you: I do not follow anything but that which is revealed to me, and I am nothing but a plain warner.
Here the Prophet (PBUH) is saying that he only followed what was revealed to him (Qu'ran). Isn't it incumbent upon us to follow his example, in following only what he followed? There is Hadith that said he prohibitted anyone from writing down what he said, for fear they would take it as part of the revelation. 200 years later, collections of Hadith are released anyway, and people indeed follow them as if they are revelation... doesn't this cause anybody else to wonder? I've seen the numerous verses that say "obey God and His Messenger" but it seems the Messenger demanded not to collect Hadith. Also, the verse that says "in the Prophet is a beautiful example" has been used to try to prove Hadith, but it does not contain a clear command to imitate the Prophet, nor does it imply that Hadith is an accurate preservation of his example or that his example was meant to last beyond his lifetime.
It may just be that I am under the spell of some gone astray, that their argument is flawed and I just can't see it because of my lack of knowledge. I would certainly appreciate being able to accept the comprehensive collections of Hadith for religious guidance, but I am afraid they are prohibitted by the Qu'ran. If anyone else who knows more about this than this new convert can help me to understand please correct me.
