For this reason He took upon Himself the responsibility of...

For this reason He took upon Himself the responsibility of safeguarding and protecting the heavenly book of Islam against any change or alteration saying: إِنَّا نَحْنُ نَزَّلْنَا الذِّكْرَ وَإِنَّا لَهُ لَحَافِظُونَ "We have without doubt, sent down the Message; and We will assuredly guard it (from corruption) "(al-Qur'an, Hijr, 15:9) The basic and fundamental principles of the religious commandments of Islam dealing with Salat, Zakat, Hajj and all that man mostly needs, either pertaining to prayers or to mutual dealings, are pin-pointed in the holy Qur'an.

The holy Prophet (P) explained and elaborated the commandments contained in the holy Qur'an. He fixed the Rak'ats in prayers and what was to be recited in them; he also fixed the taxable amount of money and enjoined the rites to be performed during Hajj. He dealt with details of all other religious obligations.

The result is that though the principles of the commandments are all given in the holy Qur'an, yet their elaboration and exposition have been made by the holy Prophet in the form of traditions which have got to be followed as Allah Him self has commanded saying: وَمَا آتَاكُمُ الرَّسُولُ فَخُذُوهُ وَمَا نَهَاكُمْ عَنْهُ فَانْتَهُوا " And whatsoever the messenger gives you take it, and whatsoever he forbids,abstain(from it)".(al-Qur'an, Hashr, 59:7) But unfortunately, some people, even during the life of the holy Prophet attributed lies to him.

They fabricated narrations and attributed them to the holy Prophet. This is borne out by one of the sayings of Imam Ali (P) in Nahj al-Balagha. Says he: "During the time of the holy Prophet, some people attributed many lies to him and once (Having come to know of the mischief) he stood up from his seat and addressed the people saying 'whoever attributes lies to me deliberately will find his place in Hell' ".

[^1] The trouble mongers continued this malpractice (of attributing lies) even after the demise of the holy Prophet. This is how the Islamic commands were tinged with various hues and ultimately dissensions arose among the Muslims as a whole. Since Allah had already guaranteed the safeguard and protection of the holy Qur'an against all sons of alterations or changes, these vicious people laid their unholy hands on.

the Hadith of the holy Prophet which are the interpreter and elucidator of the intent and import of holy Qur'an. These people fabricated narrations concerning various topics and attributed them to the holy Prophet.

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