Hadith as a source of guidance

Question 1

What is the significance of Hadith in the lives of Muslims?

Answer 1

• Hadith plays a vital role in guiding Muslims in all aspects of life.
• The Prophet (PBUH) said, “I leave with you two things. If you hold fast to them both, you will never be misguided: the Book of Allah and my Sunnah.”

Question 2

What does the Qur’an say about obeying the Prophet (PBUH)?

Answer 2

• “Obey Allah and obey the Prophet.” [64:12]
• “He who obeys the Prophet, obeys Allah.” [4:80]

Question 3

What did the Prophet (PBUH) say in his Farewell Address regarding his guidance?

Answer 3

In his Farewell Address regarding his guidance, the prophet said:

• “He who is present here shall carry this message to the one who is absent.”

Question 4

How does Hadith explain the teachings of the Qur’an?

Answer 4

• The Prophet (PBUH) provided details for acts of worship such as Hajj, Zakat, and fasting.
• He also established Shariah principles for trade, inheritance, and contracts.

Question 5

What does the Qur’an say about Zakat, and how does Hadith provide further explanation?

Answer 5

The Quran teaches that Muslims must pay Zakat, the charity tax

Qur’an: “And be steadfast in prayer, give the charity tax, and bow down your heads with those who bow down.” [2:43]

further details of zakat are given through the hadith

• Hadith: Abu Sa’id al-Khudri narrated that the Prophet (PBUH) said: “No charity tax is due on property amounting to less than five Uqiya (of silver), and no charity tax is due on fewer than five camels, and there is no charity tax on fewer than five Wasq.”

Question 6

How does Hadith clarify the Qur’anic punishment for theft?

Answer 6

In penal law related to theft the Qur’an says,

• ‘As for the thief both male and female cut off their hands’.(5:38) But it is not explained, how much of the hand needs to be cut off? Which hand, the left or the right is to be cut off?
• The Prophet (pbuh) explained the verse on theft saying, “the right hand up to the wrist is to be cut off.”

Question 7

How did Hadith clarify the timing of fasting during Ramadan?

Answer 7

The hours of fasting in the month of Ramadan are mentioned in the Quran in these words,

• “And eat and drink until the white thread becomes distinct to you from black thread of dawn.”
• When companions were unable to understand this verse, the Prophet (P.B.U.H) interpreted it by saying that “the white thread refers to the day and black thread refers to the night.”

Question 8

What does the Qur’an say about Riba (interest), and how does Hadith explain it?

Answer 8

The Quran has many teachings about financial dealings.

• Riba, the taking of interest for making a loan to someone is entirely prohibited in the Quran: “They say, trade is like interest, and Allah has allowed trade and forbidden interest.” [2:275]
• In this injunction and elsewhere in the revelation it is not mentioned what kind of business transactions are regarded as Riba.
• The Sunnah explains it clearly: “We asked the Messenger of Allah about the money exchange, he replied: if it is from hand to hand, there is no harm in it; otherwise it is not permissible.”

Question 9

How does Hadith function as a source of Islamic Law?

Answer 9

• The Prophet (PBUH) was the first legislator of Islam. He interpreted and applied Qur’anic laws to daily life.

Question 10

What is the relationship between Hadith and secondary sources of Islamic law?

Answer 10

• Ijma (consensus) and Qiyas (analogy) depend on Hadith for acceptance and justification. They are only applied when Hadith is silent on a matter.