In the name of Allah,
Who are the Quranites/ Quraniyoon?
The Quranites or Quraniyoon are those who refuse to accept the interpretation and followings of the sunnah. They reject the hadiths and act only according to the Quran ( Jami, 2017, p 100).
The types of people who reject the hadiths are the following:
- Reject them directly. Example – Rashad Khaleefah.
- Do not reject the hadeeth on the face but reduce it to mere traditions, stories, and fables, for Example -Ghulam Parvez.
- Doubt the authenticity of the entire hadeeth preservation. In their view, the usefulness of the hadiths is secondary and dependent. Example – Amin Ahsan Islaahi ( Kayum, 2008,p 68).
Common traits between people who reject hadith
1- Because according to them, it is difficult to distinguish between what is authentic and inauthentic or establish the science behind it.
2-Because they believe the interpretation of the Qur’an should be based on modern thinking and the present way of living.
Why should we believe in the Sunnah?
Sunnah translates to ‘at-tariqah, a path, regardless of whether the path is evil or praiseworthy. The scholars of Aqeedah define the sunnah as the statements of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), his actions, and his silent approvals.
The scholars of Fiqh define the Sunnah as what is not obligatory or binding. In other words, if the believers follow it sincerely they are awarded and not punished if they do not follow.
The Sunnah’s relation to the Qur’an
- Confirming Sunnah – It is a type of sunnah that agrees with and reinforces everything in the Qur’an. An example of this hadith is around the issue of usury/ interest.
- Explanatory Sunnah – It is a sunnah that explains and interprets the ambiguous rules/ verses found in the glorious Qur’an. An example of this is the Quran’s specifications on how to perform wudu.
In the hadith narrated by Uthman ibn Affan (R.A), the Prophet’s wudu was described in detail ( Dawud, 106).
3-Legislative sunnah: It is a Sunnah where new legislation not stated earlier in the Qur’an is introduced. An example of this is abstaining from haram meat like donkey meat, pig meat, etc ( Bukhari 4199)
Does the Quran or Sunnah carry more legislative weight?
According to scholarly opinion, there are three approaches to this question:
- According to Imam Abu Hanifa, the Qur’an holds more legislative weight than the Sunnah.
- According to Imam Ahmed, Ibn Hazm (may Allah have mercy on them), and a major percentage of scholars, the Qur’an holds equal legislative weight as the Sunnah ( Zarabozo, 2001, P 161).
- As per Imam al-Awzai, the Qur’an holds lesser legislative weight than the Sunnah, which is an infamous and minority opinion.
Imam al-Awzaa‘i (may Allah have mercy on him) said: “The Book needs the Sunnah more than the Sunnah needs the Book” ( Muflih, p 307)
Undoubtedly, the best and majority opinion is that the Quran and sunnah are equal in legislative importance. The Quran vs. Sunnah approach is not feasible. Even the prophet (PBUH) said,
“Indeed I have been given the book and with it the same” ( Dawud 4604).
Quranic verses commanding to follow the sunnah
Allah, may He be exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning):
“And whatsoever the Messenger (Muhammad (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him)) gives you, take it, and whatsoever he forbids you, abstain (from it), and fear Allah. Verily, Allah is Severe in punishment” [Translation al-Hashr 59:7]
“Say: “Obey Allah and obey the Messenger, but if you turn away, he (Messenger Muhammad (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him)) is only responsible for the duty placed on him (i.e. to convey Allah’s Message) and you for that placed on you. If you obey him, you shall be on the right guidance. The Messengers duty is only to convey (the message) in a clear way (i.e. to preach in a plain way)” [Translation An-Noor 24:54]
“We sent no Messenger, but to be obeyed by Allah’s Leave” [Translation an-Nisa 4:64]
Opposing arguments purported by logic:
Without the Sunnah, answering the finer details of the day-to-day Islamic practices will become difficult. For instance, you want to know how many Rakahs to offer in Zuhr. Or do you want to know the minimum age at which zakat (charity) becomes obligatory? You cannot find these answers in the Quran. But you can find them in the sunnah. And what is the sunnah if not the instructions of the beloved prophet and commands of Allah? Ultimately, you are trusting the word of Allah.
The prophet’s words on following the sunnah
He (the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him)) said:
“I have been given the Qur’an and I have been given something (else) like it” ( Dawud 4604).
It was narrated from al-Miqdaam ibn Ma’di Yakrib (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:
“Verily I have been given the Qur’an and something similar to it along with it. But soon there will be a time when a man will be reclining on his couch with a full stomach, and he will say, ‘You should adhere to this Qur’an: what you find that it says is permissible, take it as permissible, and what you find it says is forbidden, take it as forbidden.’ But indeed, whatever the Messenger of Allaah forbids is like what Allaah forbids” ( Tirmidhi 2664)
Evidence of the quraniyoon and their responses:
- Quranic verse “We have left nothing out of the Record’. (6:38) and ‘We have revealed to you the Book as an explanation of all things, a guide, a mercy, and good news for those who ˹fully˺ submit’ (Translation 16:89).
Response-
As per the right interpretation, ‘the Quran’ refers to the preserved book where Allah has recorded everything. Even if the book is interpreted as the Quran, Allah also mentions following in the prophet’s footsteps and mentions him (PBUH) as the teacher and explainer of the Quran. Moreover, obedience to the Prophet is stressed in almost seventy Quranic verses.
- Why was the Sunnah not promised to be preserved like the Qur’an?
They use the verse of the Quran:
‘It is certainly We Who have revealed the Reminder, and it is certainly We Who will preserve it.’’’ ( Translation 15:9)
Response:
‘Dhikr’, a profound word, has been used in the Book of Allah to follow the Qur’an, the Deen, Allah’s remembrance, the Friday prayer (62:9), and Allah’s Messenger as in the verse, “Allah has indeed sent down to you a Dhikr (reminder). A Messenger who recites to you the verses of Allah.”
Ibn Hazm (may Allah have mercy on him) said,
“There is no difference of opinion from anyone among the specialists in language or of the shariah that all of what Allah has revealed is [referred to as] the sent down dhikr” ( Hazm, p109)
Is there a prohibition to write the Hadith?
The quraniyoon uses the following hadith to support their argument,
“It was narrated from Abu Sa’eed al-Khudri that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Do not write anything from me; whoever has written anything from me other than the Qur’an, let him erase it and narrate from me, for there is nothing wrong with that.”
Response:
There is a difference in interpretation of the hadith. One interpretation says that this pertains to one who was sure of his memory, and there was the fear that he may rely only upon writing.
Writing the hadith was prohibited because there was the fear that the words of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) might get mixed with the Qur’an. When that danger no longer existed, the Prophet (PBUH) permitted to write down the hadeeth.
This prohibition to record hadeeth was abrogated (mansook) later. As per scholars Al- kattani and Al-Azmi, the prophet Muhammad (PBUH) must have had at least fifty and sixty scribes respectively. Al Bukhari, in his Saheeh, recorded that Abu Hurayrah said, “one can find none of the companions of the messenger of Allah relating more hadith than I, except Abdullah ibn Amr because he used to record the hadith while I did not do so” ( Tirmidhi 3841), ( Zarabozo, 2001, p178)
Conclusion
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was sent as a teacher and as an explainer of the Shariah. He left nothing that could take us to the heavens and save us from the hell fire. Denying to follow his teaching or doubting the preservation is going against the Quran and following one’s desire. They are like, as Imam Ahmed said, ‘Hadith rejectors is on the brink of doom’.
References
Jami, Muhammad Aman, ( 2017), The Position of the Sunnah in the Islamic Legislation. USA: Authentic Statements Publishing
Kayum, Sajid A, ( 2008), A critical analysis of the Modernists Hadeeth Rejecters. Quran Sunnah Educational Programs
Dawud, Sunan Abi, 106, English translation: Book 1, Hadith 106
Bukhari, 4199
Zarabozo, Jamaal- al-Din M, (2001), The Authority and importance of the Sunnah.
al-Bahr al-Muheet by az-Zarkashi (6/11); quoted by Ibn al-Muflih al-Hanbali in al-Aadaab ash-Shar‘iyyah (2/307) from the Taabi‘i Makhool.