Prohibition of Narrating the Hadith The Prophet (S) had laid...

Prohibition of Narrating the Hadith The Prophet (S) had laid the foundation of Islam. Polytheism was abolished. Women, for the first time in the history of the world, were given personal rights and inheritance. The Arabs were weaned away from their pagan beliefs. The Qur’an became the constitution. The rules for a peaceful and pious society were laid down and put into practice. All that was required had been fully explained in the sayings and actions of the Prophet (S) that are known as Hadith .

Agha S.N. Mirza writes:“ The sources of information on all questions in Islam are three; the Qur’an, the Hadith or the Sunna, and History. There is no dispute about the provisions of the Holy Qur’an; the dispute arises only in respect of its interpretation, and it is the interpretation of the Qur’an alone that all the numerous sects, said to be seventy-three in number, appeal as the basis of their cult.

All traditions are, of course, traced to the Prophet (S), and the interpretation put on the different verses of the Qur’an by the Prophet (S) are known only through the Hadith. Thus, so far as disputed questions in Islam are concerned, the source of their solution or information are two; Hadith and History .”[^1] Having gained the throne, the second phase of the conspiracy was set in motion.

The first Caliph , instead of collecting, collating, and propagating the Hadith , reiterated the words of Umar and declared that the Qur’an alone was sufficient guidance for Muslims. As the first measure, he strictly prohibited the narration, recording, or relying upon the Prophet’s words and deeds- collectively called the Sunna or Hadith . Ath-Thahabi records that Abu Bakr said, “ Do not relate among yourselves the traditions of the Prophet (S).

Traditions are likely to cause differences of opinion. The differences will be more serious after us. I warn you against narrating any sayings of the Prophet (S).