Six reasons to study the hadiths

What are the hadith?

A hadith (plural ahadith) is an account of what Muhammad said or did, or of his tacit approval of something said or done in his presence. ¹Encyclopaedia of Islam

Al-Nawawi’s “Forty Hadith” are widely regarded as the best introduction to Muhammad’s sayings in the English language.

Six reasons I’m studying the hadith

The hadith are a source of “revelation” for Muslims second to the Qur’an (Qur’an 33:21; 2:151). ²Muslims believe Muhammad was more than a mere postman or mouthpiece for divine revelation. They believe Muhammad internalized divine revelation both physically and spiritually, implementing it to the bone. One might say that the Qur’an is the book and Muhammad is the wisdom of a life lived according to the Qu’ran. So important are the traditions that Muslims scholars believe without Muhammad, the Qur’an could not be properly implemented.
After the Qur’an, the ahadith form the basis of Islam. ³The ahadith are part of the sayings, actions, and approvals of Muhammad (sunnah). Muslims sometimes say, “Know that Islam is the Sunnah, and the Sunnah is Islam” – meaning that one cannot be established without the other. Another saying highlighting the importance of the hadith tradition is the comparison with Noah’s Ark, “Whoever embarks upon it achieves salvation and whoever rejects it is drowned.” Ali Gomaa, the Grand Mufti of Egypt, said, “…the Quran for us is a book of guidance. It has the first saying. The Prophet’s sunnah is an explanation for it. And it is impeccable application for the Quran…It is not right nor allowed to interpret sunnah far from Quran nor to interpret the Quran far from sunnah because both are from Allah. The Prophet (SAWS) is the owner of both revelations.” (Abrogation)
I want to better understand Islam so that I can explain better the truth of Christianity.
I am a student of Islam and do not want to misrepresent what Muslims believe. I’ve found it frustrating when Muslims misrepresent Christianity. I’m sure Muslims feel the same way when their beliefs are misrepresented. The Golden Rule applies (Matthew 7:12).
It is important for Christians to compare the revelation of the Bible with that of Muhammad.
I want Muslims to know that I have made a sincere and honest attempt to study the principles of their religion so that they will know that there are rational reasons why I have not converted to Islam, and why it is rational and godly to convert to Christianity.

Nawawi Posts

References[+]

References
↥1	Encyclopaedia of Islam
↥2	Muslims believe Muhammad was more than a mere postman or mouthpiece for divine revelation. They believe Muhammad internalized divine revelation both physically and spiritually, implementing it to the bone. One might say that the Qur’an is the book and Muhammad is the wisdom of a life lived according to the Qu’ran. So important are the traditions that Muslims scholars believe without Muhammad, the Qur’an could not be properly implemented.
↥3	The ahadith are part of the sayings, actions, and approvals of Muhammad (sunnah). Muslims sometimes say, “Know that Islam is the Sunnah, and the Sunnah is Islam” – meaning that one cannot be established without the other. Another saying highlighting the importance of the hadith tradition is the comparison with Noah’s Ark, “Whoever embarks upon it achieves salvation and whoever rejects it is drowned.” Ali Gomaa, the Grand Mufti of Egypt, said, “…the Quran for us is a book of guidance. It has the first saying. The Prophet’s sunnah is an explanation for it. And it is impeccable application for the Quran…It is not right nor allowed to interpret sunnah far from Quran nor to interpret the Quran far from sunnah because both are from Allah. The Prophet (SAWS) is the owner of both revelations.” (Abrogation)

thoughts on “Six reasons I’m studying hadith”

Muberra says:

May 25, 2016 at 4:35 am

hi, I want to know that do you find really a rational reason which you mentioned above ;”they will know that there are rational reasons why I have not converted to Islam, and why it is rational and godly to convert to Christianity.” ???????????????? If you find, can you tell me what are they?

1. agoerner says:
  
  May 27, 2016 at 8:37 am
  
  Hello,
  Thank you for your question. Here are two reasons: (1) The miracles of Jesus attested in the gospels and by Jesus’ enemies [cf. Munich Talmud]; (2) The empty tomb of Jesus/resurrection of Jesus from the dead.