In the study of Hadith, biographies known as "Ilm al-Rijal" (the science of narrators) are considered crucial for assessing the reliability and credibility of Hadith transmitters. These biographies provide detailed information about the lives, characters, and trustworthiness of the individuals in the chains of narration (isnads). Today, these biographical dictionaries are used to confirm a … Continue reading The Circular Logic of Hadith Biographies (Ilm al-Rijal)
Necessity and Reliability of Contextual Hadith (Asbab al-Nuzul)
A typical argument traditionalists make against those who follow the Quran alone is that the Hadith is needed to make sense of the verses. Some go so far as to claim that the Quran is not understandable without the Hadith. In the book Hadith and Sunnah Ideals and Realities p. 135, under the article title … Continue reading Necessity and Reliability of Contextual Hadith (Asbab al-Nuzul)
Can compulsion be applied to non-believers? (2:256)
The Quran informs us that there is no compulsion in religion. [2:256] There shall be no compulsion in religion: the right way is now distinct from the wrong way. Anyone who denounces the devil and believes in GOD has grasped the strongest bond; one that never breaks. GOD is Hearer, Omniscient. لَآ إِكْرَاهَ فِى ٱلدِّينِ قَد … Continue reading Can compulsion be applied to non-believers? (2:256)
Mutawatir & Hadith
A term that is used often in Islamic studies is the concept of Mutawātir. Mutawātir is a successive narration that has been transmitted by such a large number (thousands) of narrators at each level of its chain of transmission that it becomes particularly impossible for them to have collectively agreed upon a lie or fabrication. … Continue reading Mutawatir & Hadith
Sex During Menses (Quran vs. Hadith)
The Quran informs us that the sexual relations between a husband and a wife are to be kept private. [2:187] Permitted for you is sexual intercourse with your wives during the nights of fasting. They are the keepers of your secrets, and you are the keepers of their secrets. GOD knew that you used to betray … Continue reading Sex During Menses (Quran vs. Hadith)
Hadith: Monkey Adultery
Sahih Bukhari is considered the most revered collection of Sahih Hadith among traditional Muslims. Among these most "authentic" narrations, we see that 'Amr bin Maimun claims the following account regarding a she-monkey being stoned for adultery. Narrated `Amr bin Maimun: During the pre-lslamic period of ignorance I saw a she-monkey surrounded by a number of … Continue reading Hadith: Monkey Adultery
Abu Lahab vs. Dhajjal (Quran vs. Hadith)
Sura 111 of the Quran is entitled Thorns 'Al-Masad' ( الـمسد ) and is about how both Abu Lahab and his wife were condemned to Hell for leading and fueling the opposition to the prophet during his life. [111:1] Condemned are the works of Abee Lahab, and he is condemned.[111:2] His money and whatever he … Continue reading Abu Lahab vs. Dhajjal (Quran vs. Hadith)
Hadith & Women
The Hadith is particularly disparaging towards women. Below are some of the most egregious Hadith from the most revered Sahih Hadith compilations, most notably Sahih Bukhari and Muslim. These narrations insult the prophet and the religion and hopefully can serve as an eye-opener to why the entire Hadith corpus needs to be discarded. This is … Continue reading Hadith & Women
Jesus Denounced Tradition
I recently started re-reading the New Testament and have noticed that many of Jesus's teachings involve denouncing oral law traditions attributed to religion not found in scripture. For background, one of the main groups that Jesus preached against was the Pharisees, who believed in the necessity of oral traditions to interpret and supplement the written … Continue reading Jesus Denounced Tradition
Sunnis Followed the Sunnah of the Jews
Dhat Anwat ( ذَاتُ أَنْوَاطٍ ) was the name of a particular tree that was worshipped in Arabia before the revelation of the Quran.1 Pagans, including that of the Quraish, used to suspend their weapons on it as well as slaughter to it and devote themselves to it as they blessed and glorified it.2 https://lexicon.quranic-research.net/data/25_n/294_nwT.html In the following … Continue reading Sunnis Followed the Sunnah of the Jews
