Reply to common arguments of Hadith Rejecters (Part2)

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Articles in this Series :

 –  Introduction to ‘Hadith: The Integral Part of Islam’
– Article 1: What are Hadeeth and Sunnah?
– Article 2: Is Quran the only form of Revelation to Mohammad (SAS)?
– Article 3:  Role of Prophet Muhammad (SAS)
– Article 4: Importance of Sunnah, Hadith & Scholars
– Article 5: Referring to Messenger (SAS), on the issue of Hadiths
– Article 6: Reply to common arguments of Hadith Rejecters (Part1)
– Article 7: Reply to common arguments of Hadith Rejecters (Part2) 
– Conclusion & References 

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Article 7 – Reply to common arguments of Hadith Rejecters (Part2)

In the previous article, we saw how ignorant the Hadith rejecters are when it comes to their knowledge of even the basics of Usool al Hadith and its history. (We even got a live demonstration of it when this latest Hadith rejector came out with all his frustration on ScanIslam Crew’s facebook note). In this article, we will Insha’Allah look at the two common arguments they switch to, when they are left speechless in response to the previous articles.

Argument 3: These Hadith go against common-sense

Hadith rejecters usually quote some authentic Hadith and say “it doesn’t seem logical”. Not sure why they use such arguments when they claim to accept Allah is As-Sami (The All Hearer), Al-Basir (The All Seeing), Al-Hakam (The Judge), Al-Adl (The Just), Al-Khabir (The All Aware), Ar-Raqib (The watchfull), Al-Hakim (The Wise) and much more. After proving the authenticity of Hadith to someone, if the person responds with this kind of an argument, then it raises the question whether he/she really believes Allah is All Wise? And If yes, then why do you want a logical response to every instruction in Islam? When we accepted Musa’s (AS) stick turning into a serpent, and we accept Sulaiman (AS) speaking to bird, just because ALLAH SAID SO. Then why this dual policy of rejecting the Hadith ONLY because it does not fit his/her logic?

Argument 4: Quran is protected by Allah, while Hadith are bound to get corrupted with time

Assuming that the Hadith rejecters makes this claim from Surah Al-Hijr, where Allah says,

“Indeed, We have sent down the Zikr, and indeed, We will be its guardians.”
[Translation of Quran 15:9]

The word Zikr, has been used in the Quran for referring to many things, like the Quran itself, the complete deen in general, the remembrance of Allah, the messenger of Allah (SAS) and even the Friday Prayers. So when Allah  promises to protect the Zikr, it includes the Quran, the understanding of the Quran in the example of Messenger (SAS), the prayers, and all aspects of the deen. In short, Allah will protect EVERYTHING necessary for the deen till the last day.

The thing is, Quran can never get protected unless its meaning is protected as well. If we leave Quran to be freely interpreted, then even those terrorist organizations are legislated to kill Jews and Christians wherever they find them, because that is how they understand the Quran.

Allah says in the Quran,

“Indeed, upon Us is its collection, and its recitation. So when we have recited it, follow its recitation. Then upon Us is its clarification”
[Translation of Quran 75:17-19]

See how Allah separately addresses the “clarification” of Quran in the 19^th Aayah. The recitation of Quran is one thing, and its clarification is another. You cannot take the words of Quran and interpret it according to whims and desires.

Once the Quran is clarified to the messenger (SAS), how does it get clarified to rest of us till the end? Yes, we have already seen in previous articles how the Prophet’s (SAS) statements, actions, approvals and character description are all part of revelation. We have already established that one of the role of Messenger (SAS) was to EXPLAIN the Quran. This is what the Hadith rejectors don’t agree to, though they have never been able to answer the Aayat of the Quran which we quoted in Article-3.

“… And We revealed to you the message that you may explain to the people what was sent down to them and that they might give thought.”
[Translation of Qur’an Surah 16:64]

One of them even went to the extent of redefining Arabic language and to give new meanings of few words, only to get humiliated badly. That is the level to which these people can fall.

Argument 5: Quran is complete guidance. So there is no need of Hadith.

This argument is based on the some of the below Aayat of the Quran.

Alif. Lam. Ra. (This is) a book whose verses are perfected and then presented in detail from (one who is) Wise and Acquainted.
(Translation of Qur’an 11:1)

We have explained (things) in various (ways) in this Qur’an, in order that they may receive admonition, but it only increases their flight (from the Truth)!
(Translation of Qur’an 17:41)

And We have explained to man, in this Qur’an, every kind of similitude: yet the greater part of men refuse (to receive it) except with ingratitude.
(Translation of Qur’an 17:89)

Ok, Quran is the complete guidance, with everything explained in detail. So what?? Hasn’t the Quran guided us completely to follow the messenger? Doesn’t the Quran explain us in detail how the life of messenger (SAS) is nothing but a revelation? Of course it does. And it does it convincingly for any open hearted person. And that is the role of Quran.

The Quran talks about different Prophets and their tribes. It talks about Yajood and Majood. It talks about people of the cave, it talks about the companions of Elephants. Yet, Quran is not a history text book. Allah only speaks about the history that He out of His ultimate wisdom knows can remind people and bring them to faith. The Quran talks about various geographical aspects of Allah’s creations. Yet, the Quran is not a complete geography text book. It is only for reminding the people and bringing them to faith. In the same way, the Quran is complete when it comes to guiding someone to faith. If this book of Allah cannot remind someone and bring him/her to faith, then nothing else can. But what after that? What follows true faith is practice. And this is where Quran asks us to look at the example of Prophet. To live our lives in accordance with what he said, did, approved and forbade.

Dual policies of Hadith Rejecters when they say Quran is enough for them

The hadith rejecters horribly end up contradicting their own claim of “Quran being enough” when they have to look to various options outside Quran when it comes to practicing Islam. And we personally have encountered hadith rejecters of different shapes and sizes at scanislam

Some look to the biographies of Prophet for this – Funny, they doubt the work of Imam Bukhari and Muslim, but not of these authors of biography. Some even refer to dictionaries written as late as this century to understand the same Quran. Some rightly look at classical Arabic dictionaries, but completely forget the fact that even the classical Arabic was preserved through the same science of Hadith which they reject.

Some say it is learnt from Sunnah of Jews and Christians – Wow! What is bound to be more erroneous? Sunnah of the last Prophet to mankind with all these awesome Usool al Hadith techniques? Or the Sunnah of earlier prophets which was anyways intended for their limited period? They are ready to take from a 2000 year old Bible which in Quran’s word itself is corrupted and its words have been changed, but they don’t want to take it from the Hadith of the Prophet (SAS). That’s Super-contradiction!!

Hadith rejecters find themselves in a fix even in matters as simple as lunch and dinner. They readily enjoy Allah’s gift of sea foods. How in the world can they prove an un-slaughtered fish to be Halaal without using the Hadith, when Quran straight away forbids us from eating dead animals (Quran 5:3). With only Quran, they cannot even prove how animals like dogs and cats are prohibited as food. (Wonder if they’ll start taking hot-dogs a bit seriously after reading this)

Further, they have some funny disputes among themselves, when it comes to law enforcement. There were two Hadith rejecters who were debating with each other whether the punishment of cutting off the hands of thieves is maximum punishment, or a minimum. The funny part is, these educated illiterates were unsure from where the hand needs to be cut off, wrist or elbow or shoulder? This is the pathetic state of these self-declared Aalims.

Some are even more disgusting. One of them told us, “There is no specific method to offer Salaah. I can pray even standing on my head”. Another one told us, Quran only advices not to drink alcohol. It is like a warning on cigarette packs.” (Super!  What a justification to following ones nafs and desires).

These people are so helpless without Hadith that they cannot even explain important terms like Ar-Riba (which leads to major sin) and which day is day of Jumaa? (which was earlier called Arooba).

Naudubillah. May Allah protect us from this fitna which is nothing but doubts and confusion and ultimately following one’s own nafs.

“… They follow nothing but a guess (zann) and that which the souls desire…”
(Translation of Quran 53: 23) 

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Next Article in the Series
– Conclusion & References for further reading
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