Can Muslims Reject Hadith

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Question:

Can someone be a Muslim if they reject hadith as false? - A look at whether rejecting hadith disqualifies one from Islam, and debates between Quranists and traditionalists. :::

Answer:

Kitaab Sharh us-Sunnah by Al Barbaharee mentions:

Doubt the Islam of one who does not accept the hadeeth of the Messenger (sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam).

If you hear a man criticising the narrations, not accepting them or rejecting any of the narrations from the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam), doubt his Islam since he is a person having despicable opinion and saying. He is, indeed, attacking the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam) and his Companions, since we have only come to know of Allah, His Messenger (sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam), the Qur’an, what is good and bad and of this world and the Hereafter through the narrations. [1]

NOTES

[1] The Prophet (sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam) said, “There will come a time when a man sitting upon his couch is told a hadeeth and he replies, ‘Between us and you is the Book of Allah, the Mighty and Majestic. What we find in it to be lawful, we take as lawful and what we find in it to be forbidden, we take as forbidden.’ Indeed, what the Messenger of Allah has forbidden is like what Allah has forbidden.” Reported by Ahmad, Abu Daawood, Ibn Maajah and at-Tirmidhee, who declared it hasan. Al-Albaanee declared it saheeh in Saheehul-Jaami’ (no.8186).

Imaam Maalik (rahimahullaah) said, “Everyone after the Prophet (sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam) will have his saying accepted or rejected, not so the Prophet (sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam).” Reported by Ibn ‘Abdul-Barr in Jaami’ Bayaan al-‘Ilm (2/91).

Imaam Ahmaad (rahimahullaah) said, “Whoever rejects a hadeeth of Allah’s Messenger (sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam) is on the brink of destruction.” Reported in Tabaqaatul-Hanaabilah (2/15) and by Ibn battah in al-Ibanatul-Kubraa (1/97).

The Qur’an needs the Sunnah to explain it.

The Qur’an needs the Sunnah more than the Sunnah needs the Qur’an. [1]

NOTES

[1] This saying of al-Barbahaaree (rahimahullaah) is also reported as the saying of Makhool ash-Shaamee, the taabi’ee (d.113H), by al-Khateeb in al-Kifaayah (p.14) and others with a saheeh chain of narration.

Yahyaa ibn Abee Katheer, the tabi’ee (d.129H) said, “The Sunnah is decisive over the Qur’an, but the Qur’an is not decisive over the Sunnah.” Reported by ad-Daarimee in as-Sunan (1/153).

Al-Fudayl ibn Ziyaad said: I heard Abu ‘Abdullah, meaning Ahmad ibn Hanbal, being asked about the narration that the Sunnah is decisive over the Book so he said, “I do not venture to say that the Sunnah is decisive over the Book, but the Sunnah does explain the Book and clarifies it.” Reported by Ibn ‘Abdul-Barr in al-Jaami’ (pp.191-192). This agrees with Allah’s saying:

We have revealed to you the Reminder (the Qur’an), so that you may explain clearly to men what is sent down to them. Soorah an-Nahl (16): 44

Kitaab Sharh us-Sunnah by Al Barbaharee

More Details with Proofs and References:

Naheed Akhtar’s answer to Islam: If Quran asks Muslims to follow Muhammad, why do Quranists reject hadiths? Naheed Akhtar’s answer to Quranists vs Hadith believers. What are the facts about believing in Hadiths?