Why Do Quranists Reject Hadith

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Question:

If the Quran commands following Muhammad, why do Quranists reject hadiths? - A discussion about Quranist beliefs, why they reject hadith literature, and the implications for Islamic law and practice. :::

Answer:

Muslims should beware of the Quranists as it is agreement among the scholars that the one who rejects the Sunnah is a Kaafir.

It is mentioned in the Quran “With clear signs and Books (We sent the Messengers). And We have also sent down unto you (O Muhammad SAW) the reminder and the advice (the Qur’ân), that you may explain clearly to men what is sent down to them, and that they may give thought.” (Quran 16:44)

The above verse PROVES that prophet Muhammad saws role was not only to deliver the revelation but also to explain it clearly to mankind and present a model and example for the Muslims to follow. Implicitly meaning that to understand the revelation mankind needs the explanation of the revelation by Prophet Muhammad saws as understood by the sahabas R.A which is preserved in the hadith.

Now if someone does not stick to the explanation of Messenger saws then he will interpret things wrongly and go astray.

Quran states: And the Most High said, “And we have not neglected anything in the Book ” (An’aam 6:38). What is meant by “the Book” here is the Preserved Tablet (al-Lawh al- Mahfooz) as occurs in the saying of Ibn ‘Abbaas, who said, “We have not left anything, except that We have written it in the Umm ul-Kitaab (the Mother of the Book, i.e. the Preserved Tablet) . And Qataadah and Ibn Zaid followed him in this. (An-Nahl 16:44)

So if we try to understand the above verse on our own we may get deviated - but when we refer to the understanding of the Sahabas then it refers to the mother of the book.

Muslims should note that Ibn ‘Abbaas R.A was known as the “Scholar of the Ummah” and for whom Prophet saws had himself prayed to Allah for bestowing him Knowledge of the Quran.

Volume 1, Book 3, Number 75 :

Narrated by Ibn ‘Abbas

Once the Prophet embraced me and said, “O Allah! Bestow on him the knowledge of the Book (Qur’an).”

Quran Says: Your companion (Muhammad SAW) has neither gone astray nor has erred. (An-Najm 53:2); Nor does he speak of (his own) desire. (An-Najm 53:3); It is only an Inspiration that is inspired. (An-Najm 53:4)

Some verses from Quran which prove that it is mandatory to obey the prophet and follow his Sunnah:

The Qur’ân says that “Whoever obeys the Messenger, obeys Allah”.

Allah says: “No, by your Lord, they do not believe until they submit to your adjudication in all disputes between them, then they do not find themselves oppressed with your decisions and they completely submit.” Qur’ân (4:65)

Again, Allah says: “When a matter has been decided by Allah and His Messenger, it does not behoove a believer, man or woman, to have choice in their matter. One who disobeys Allah and His Messenger, he is indeed on a clearly wrong Path.” Qur’ân (33:36)

Furthermore, Allah says: “What the Messenger teaches you, take it; and what he forbids you, avoid doing it.” Qur’ân (59:7)

In Saheeh Muslim is it narrated from Jabir that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said in his Farewell Sermon: “I am leaving behind among you something which, if you adhere to it, you will not go astray after that. It is the Book of Allah.” The version narrated by al-Hakim says “The Book of Allah and my Sunnah.” (Classed as saheeh/authentic by al-Albani in Saheeh al-Jami’, 2937).

THE DEVIATION OF THOSE WHO ARE SATISFIED WITH THE QURAN TO THE EXCLUSION OF AHAADEETH By Shaykh Muhammad Naasir-Ud-Deen al-Albaanee is an excellent analysis on this subject; Following are the links to the article:

THE DEVIATION OF QURANITES - I

THE DEVIATION OF QURANITES - II