Is The Sunnah Divinely Protected Like Quran, And How Does It Differ From Hadith?
I’d like to contribute a few additional points to the discussion to better articulate my understanding and explain the reasoning behind it. The Relationship Between Sunnah and Hadith: Is the Sunnah Divinely Protected? Surah Al-Hijr, 15:9 promises divine protection for the al-Zikr . Many scholars interpret al-Zikr to include both the Quran and the Sunnah . The Sunnah refers to the Prophet Muhammad’s (peace be upon him) actions and practices, which have been preserved through the continuous practice of the Muslim community, whereas the Hadith are the recorded narrations of his words and deeds. Differentiating Sunnah from Hadith: Preservation and Role in Islamic Law The Sunnah is divinely protected through communal practice, while the Hadith , being human-compiled records, are subject to human error and were not preserved with the same divine guarantee. Scholars throughout history have carefully scrutinized Hadith to assess their authenticity. This process has led to the recognition that while Hadith play a vital role in explaining the Sunnah , they cannot be considered infallible. Hadith Collection and Destruction During the Prophet’s lifetime, there was a deliberate destruction of early Hadith records to prevent any confusion between the Quran and Hadith . The Prophet (peace be upon him) instructed that only those who accurately remembered his sayings should narrate them. This, combined with the fact that there was no systematic recording of Hadith during the Prophet’s life, led to different opinions among companions on whether to transmit Hadith . Some were cautious about narrating Hadith , fearing inaccuracy, which explains why the written compilation of Hadith only began a few decades after the Prophet’s death. Key Points of the Argument Sunnah and Hadith are distinct : The Sunnah has been continuously preserved through practice, while the Hadith are human attempts to record and transmit this practice, sometimes with errors. Divine protection applies to the Quran and Sunnah : The Quran and the core Sunnah practices are divinely protected, while Hadith require critical analysis due to their susceptibility to error. Hadith as a secondary source : Although the Hadith offer context and details, they are subject to verification, unlike the Sunnah , which has been universally practiced. Historical Perspectives on the Difference Between Sunnah and Hadith Several Islamic scholars have contributed to distinguishing between the Sunnah and Hadith : Imam Malik emphasized the living practice of the people of Madinah as embodying the Sunnah . Imam Abu Hanifa prioritized the practical Sunnah over isolated Hadith . Imam Al-Shafi’i systematized the use of Hadith while maintaining that the Sunnah holds a higher status. Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal valued Hadith but recognized the necessity of verifying their authenticity. Ibn Taymiyyah distinguished the Sunnah as an action-based practice, separate from written Hadith . Shah Waliullah stressed the importance of critically examining Hadith while recognizing the preservation of the Sunnah . Muhammad Abduh called for a rationalist approach, emphasizing the Quran and authentic Sunnah . The Role and Limitations of Hadith in Islamic Thought Hadith were compiled decades after the Prophet’s death and, therefore, were subject to human error, memory lapses, and fabrication. Unlike the Quran, the Hadith do not have the same divine protection and require critical verification. Islamic scholars developed a rigorous methodology to authenticate Hadith , which further underscores that Hadith cannot be treated with the same level of infallibility as the Quran. Understanding Al-Zikr in Surah Al-Hijr, 15:9: Quran, Sunnah, or Both? The term al-Zikr has been interpreted by some to refer solely to the Quran, while others argue it includes both the Quran and the Sunnah . Classical scholars such as Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi interpreted al-Zikr as the Quran alone, while later scholars argued that the Sunnah , as an essential practice for understanding and applying the Quran, could also be part of this divine protection. Unified Revelation: Exploring the Connection Between Quran and Sunnah The Quran and Sunnah are interdependent. Many aspects of Islamic practice, such as prayer and fasting, require the Sunnah for proper implementation, indicating that the Sunnah plays a divinely guided role. The Quran provides the foundational text, while the Sunnah offers the practical application. Some scholars argue that the Sunnah , as a lived tradition, shares in the divine protection extended to the Quran. Counterarguments to the Inclusion of Sunnah in Al-Zikr Context of Surah Al-Hijr : Some argue that al-Zikr refers only to the Quran, given the immediate context of the surrounding verses. Different types of revelation : Wahy matlu (recited revelation, i.e., the Quran) and wahy ghayr matlu (non-recited revelation, i.e., the Sunnah ) may imply that divine protection only applies to the Quran. No explicit promise for the preservation of Sunnah : Unlike the Quran, there is no explicit Quranic verse guaranteeing the preservation of the Sunnah . Practical preservation vs. textual preservation : The Sunnah has been preserved through practice, but this may not imply the same level of divine protection as the Quran’s textual preservation. Refuting the Counterarguments: Understanding Al-Zikr in Context Given that the Quran was revealed in the language and culture of the Quraysh, we must interpret al-Zikr in light of how it was understood at the time. The Quraysh likely viewed zikr (remembrance) as including not only the Quran but also the Prophet’s practices. Therefore, a strictly literal interpretation that limits al-Zikr to just the Quran overlooks how revelation was understood holistically by the early Muslim community. Additional Arguments and Responses Regarding the Preservation of Sunnah Even with minor differences in interpretation or practice, the core Sunnah (e.g., the structure of prayer) has been consistently preserved across the Muslim world. The continuous practice of the Sunnah suggests divine protection, even if this is not explicitly stated in the Quran. Scholarly efforts to maintain and transmit the Sunnah have played a key role, but the uniformity of core practices indicates that Allah has ensured their preservation.