Distinction Between Sunnat and Hadith — Seal of the Prophets Vol. 1
Introduction
In this discourse from The Life & Character of the Seal of the Prophets (Volume 1), Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad (ra) details the historical events and scholarly insights surrounding Distinction Between Sunnat and Hadith.
Book Series: The Life & Character of the Seal of the Prophets (Volume 1)
Author: Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad (ra)
Section: I-Early Sources of Sirat & Islamic History
Pages: Book pp. 37–38 (PDF pp. 61–62)
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Historical Account
Prior to bringing the discussion on Ḥadīth to a close, it would not be inappropriate to present a brief note with regards to Sunnat. It must be understood that the belief that Ḥadīth and Sunnat are synonymous is definitely untrue. In reality, Ḥadīth and Sunnat are two very different things. The term Ḥadīth refers to the verbal narrations which comprise the statements or actions of the Holy Prophetsa, relayed from his companions, to the Tābi‘īn, from the Tābi‘īn to the Taba‘ Tābi‘īn, and from the Taba‘ Tābi‘īn to subsequent generations and then were gathered in the form of a proper book, after an in-depth investigation and profound contemplations by the A’immah-e-Ḥadīth. On the
other hand, the term Sunnat refers to the actions, or in other words, the ‘deeds’ of the Holy Prophetsa, which were transmitted not through verbal narrations, rather, by the unified deeds of the Muslims from generation to generation. On the basis of this concept, this phenomenon continued. For example, the Holy Qur’ān contains an order for the observance of Ṣalāt. Irrespective of whether a verbal explanation or instruction was presented by the Holy Prophetsa in this regard or not, he demonstrated, before his companions the details pertinent to this order through his actions. Throughout the course of his life, the Holy Prophetsa repeatedly performed this action, and thus instilled it in his companions. Furthermore, under his own supervision, the Holy Prophetsa made his companions firmly adherent to the correct particulars and practice of Ṣalāt. Consequently, through the companions of the Holy Prophetsa, this deed reached the Tābi‘īn, who learned its correct practice not through a verbal explanation, rather by way of its practical observance. This successive system continued forward from generation to generation and so is the case in other affairs as well. From this it becomes apparent that the true foundation of Islām is laid on the Holy Qur’ān and Sunnat, which have always run in parallel since its inception. Ḥadīth is merely a supplementary component which can be utilised for academic progress or ancillary assistance and, in reality; the true foundation of Islām has not been laid upon it. However, erroneously, various individuals have fallen victim to the incorrect notion that Ḥadīth and Sunnat are one and the same thing. This discussion is irrelevant to the topic at hand. However, it seemed appropriate to rectify the general misconception that exists with relevance to Ḥadīth in order to ensure that unacquainted hearts do not give birth to the ideology that the foundation of Islām is laid upon something which came into existence 150 years after the Holy Prophetsa.
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Book Series: The Life & Character of the Seal of the Prophets (Volume 1)
Section: I-Early Sources of Sirat & Islamic History | Navigation: « Previous: [Books of Hadith] | Next: [Books of Exegesis] »