DAY 1 – 6TH JANUARY 2025

1.Definition of Hadeeth

Meaning of Hadith

The Arabic word hadeeth basically means ‘an item of news,

conversation, a tale, a story or a report,’ whether historical or
legendary, true or false, relating to the present or the past. Its
secondary meaning as an adjective is ‘new’ as opposed to
qadeem, ‘old’. However, like other Arabic words (e.g. salaah,
zakaah), its meaning changed in Islaam. From the time of the
Prophet (r), his stories and communications dominated all other
forms of communication. Consequently, the term hadeeth began
to be used almost exclusively for reports that spoke of his actions
and sayings.

Importance of Hadeeth:

1. Revelation
The Prophet’s sayings and actions were primarily based on
revelation from Allaah and, as such, must be considered a
fundamental source of guidance second only to the Qur’aan.

Allaah in the Qur’aan said concerning the Prophet (r):

(Muhammad) does not speak from his desires; indeed, what he

says is revelation.” (Soorah an-Najm, 53: 3-4)

The term "Hadith Qudsi" (Arabic: ‫ )حديث قدسي‬refers to a

special category of hadiths where the Prophet Muhammad (peace
be upon him) narrates words directly attributed to Allah (God),

1
but in his own words. The phrase "Qudsi" (‫ )قدسي‬comes from the
Arabic root meaning "holy" or "sacred."

Key Characteristics of Hadith Qudsi:

1. Divine Origin, Prophetic Wording: Unlike the Quran,

which is the literal word of Allah, Hadith Qudsi conveys
Allah's message through the words of the Prophet
Muhammad.

2. Religious but Non-Liturgical: Hadith Qudsi is not recited

in prayers (salah) like the Quran.

3. Moral and Spiritual Lessons: These narrations often cover

topics related to spirituality, mercy, forgiveness, and the
relationship between humans and Allah.

Example of a Hadith Qudsi:

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:

"Allah the Almighty said: 'O My servants, I have forbidden

oppression for Myself, and I have made it forbidden among you,
so do not oppress one another...'" (Sahih Muslim)

In summary, "Hadith Qudsi" represents sacred narrations from

Allah but delivered by the Prophet Muhammad in his own
expressions.

Wahi (‫ )َو ْح ي‬refers to divine revelation from Allah to His chosen

messengers. In Islamic theology, there are different types of

2
Wahi, each varying in form and purpose. Here’s an overview of
the main types of Wahi:

1. Wahi Matlu ( ‫ – )َو ْح ي َم ْتُلّو‬Recited Revelation

 Meaning: This refers to the revelation that is recited as part

of the Quran.

 Example: The Quran itself is Wahi Matlu as it is the direct,

verbatim word of Allah, revealed to Prophet Muhammad
(peace be upon him).

 Purpose: It is part of the liturgy and holds legal, moral, and

spiritual guidance.

2. Wahi Ghair Matlu ( ‫ – )َو ْح ي َغْير َم ْتُلّو‬Non-recited Revelation

 Meaning: This refers to revelation from Allah that is not part

of the Quran but was conveyed to the Prophet Muhammad
(peace be upon him). These are Hadith Qudsi or divine
instructions conveyed in Hadith.

 Example: Hadith Qudsi, such as:

"Allah says: 'I am as My servant thinks of Me...'" (Sahih Bukhari)

3. Wahi Ibtida’i (‫ – )َو ْح ي ِاْبِتَداِئي‬Initial Revelation

 Meaning: This is the type of revelation that marks the

beginning of the prophetic mission.

3
  Example: The first revelation to Prophet Muhammad (peace
be upon him) was:

"Read in the name of your Lord..." (Surah Al-Alaq, 96:1-5)

4. Wahi Tashri’i ( ‫ – )َو ْح ي َتْش ِر يِع ّي‬Legislative Revelation

 Meaning: This revelation contains rulings and laws that

form the legal and moral code for Muslims.

 Example: Verses on fasting (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:183),

prayers, and inheritance laws.

5. Wahi Ghair Tashri’i ( ‫ – )َو ْح ي َغْير َتْش ِر يِع ّي‬Non-legislative

Revelation

 Meaning: This type of revelation provides moral, spiritual,

or factual guidance but does not establish laws.

 Example: Verses narrating stories of past prophets or

describing the Day of Judgment (e.g., Surah Al-Kahf).

6. Wahi Ilham (‫ – )ِإْلَه ام‬Inspiration

 Meaning: This refers to inspiration or guidance from Allah to

prophets or ordinary individuals in a non-verbal form.

 Example:

4
 o Allah inspired the mother of Prophet Musa (peace be
upon him) to place her son in the river for his safety
(Surah Al-Qasas 28:7).

o Guidance through dreams to Prophet Yusuf (peace be

upon him).

7. Wahi Manami (‫ – )َو ْح ي َم َناِم ي‬Revelation through Dreams

 Meaning: This refers to divine communication through

dreams.

 Example:

o Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) received a dream

in which Allah commanded him to sacrifice his son
Isma'il (peace be upon him) (Surah As-Saffat 37:102).

o Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) saw a dream

about performing Umrah, which later became a reality
(Surah Al-Fath 48:27).

Forms of Receiving Wahi by Prophets

 Direct Speech from Allah: As with Prophet Musa (peace

be upon him) on Mount Sinai.

 Through Angel Jibreel (Gabriel): The most common form

of revelation received by Prophet Muhammad (peace be
upon him).

5
  Behind a Veil: As in the Mi'raj (ascension), where Allah
spoke directly to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

 Inspiration in the Heart: Guidance directly placed in the

heart of the Prophet.

In summary, Wahi includes both Quranic revelation (Wahi Matlu)

and non-Quranic guidance (Wahi Ghair Matlu), as well as forms
such as dreams, inspiration, and direct speech from Allah. Each
form of Wahi had its own role in delivering Allah’s message and
guiding humanity.

2. Tafseer:
Allaah states the following in the Qur’aan regarding its
interpretation: “And I revealed to you the Reminder (Qur’aan) in
order that you explain to the people what was revealed to them.”
(Soorah an-Nahl, 16: 44) Therefore, if one is to understand the
meanings of Qur’aan, he or she must consider what the Prophet
(r) said or did regarding it. E.g. in the Qur’aan, Allaah instructs the
believers to offer salaah (formal prayers) and pay zakaah
(obligatory charity) in Soorah al-Baqarah, (2), verse 43. However,
in order to obey these instructions correctly, one must study the
methodology of the Prophet (r) in this regard. Among his many
clarifications concerning Salaah and zakaah, he instructed his
followers saying “Pray as you saw me pray,” and he specified
that 2.5% of surplus wealth, unused for a year, should be given as
zakaah

6
 3. Laws
One of the primary duties of the Prophet (r) was to judge
between people in their disputes. Since his judgements were all
based on revelation, as stated earlier, they must be considered a
primary source of principles by which judgements are carried out
in an Islaamic State. Allaah also addressed this responsibility in
the Qur’aan saying: “O believers obey Allaah, obey the Messenger
and those in authority among you. If you dispute about anything,
refer it to Allaah and the Messenger.” (Soorah an-Nisaa, 4: 59)
Thus, hadeeths are essential for the smooth running of the law
courts in an Islaamic State.

4. Moral Ideal
Since the Prophet (r) was guided by revelation in his personal life,
his character and social interactions became prime examples of
moral conduct for Muslims until the Last Day. Attention was
drawn to this fact in the following Qur’aanic verse “Surely there is
for all of you a good example (of conduct) in the way of Allaah’s
Messenger.” (Soorah al-Ahzaab, 33: 21) Consequently, the daily
life of the Prophet (r) as recorded in hadeeth represents an ideal
code of good conduct. In fact, when the Prophet’s wife, ‘Aa’ishah,
was asked about his conduct, she replied, “His character was the
Qur’aan.”

5. Preservation of Islaam
The science of narration, collection and criticism of hadeeth was
unknown to the world prior to the era of the Prophet (r). In fact, it
was due in part to the absence of such a reliable science that the

7
messages of the former prophets became lost or distorted in the
generations that followed them. Therefore, it may be said that it
is largely due to the science of hadeeth that the final message of
Islaam has been preserved in it is original purity for all times. This
is alluded to in the Qur’aanic verse: “Indeed, I have revealed the
Reminder, I will, indeed, protect it.” (Soorah al-Hijr, 15: 9)

Hadeeth and the Sunnah

The term hadeeth has become a synonym for the term sunnah,
though there is some difference in their meanings. Sunnah,
according to Arabic lexicographers/Grammar, means ‘a way;
course; rule; manner of acting or conduct of life’.

Sunnah, as a technical term in the Science of hadeeth, refers to

whatever statements, acts, approvals, physical or character
descriptions that are attributable to the Prophet (r) along with his
biography after the beginning of his prophethood. It is thus
synonymous with the term hadeeth.

However, according to Usool al-Fiqh science (legal methodology),

sunnah refers to only the statements, acts and approvals
of the Prophet (r). It also refers to whatever is supported by
evidence from the sharee‘ah; the opposite of bid‘ah.

And in the Legalistic science of Fiqh the term sunnah refers to

recommended authentically attributable to the Prophet (r); the
doer of which is rewarded and the non-doer is not punished. It is
also used to refer to the opposite of bid‘ah as in the statement:
Sunnah divorce and Bid‘ah divorce. According to its general

8
definition, the Qur’aan is the most important part of the sunnah
conveyed by the Prophet (r).

It may also be said that the hadeeths were the containers in

which the sunnah of the Prophet (r) was conveyed during his life
time and after his death.

The terms Hadith and Sunnah are often used interchangeably,

but they have distinct meanings in Islamic studies. Here’s a
detailed comparison of the two:

1. Definition:

 Hadith (‫)حديث‬:
Refers to the recorded sayings, actions, approvals, and
characteristics of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
It is a narration documenting what the Prophet said, did, or
approved.

 Sunnah (‫)ُس َّنة‬:

Refers to the practices and traditions of the Prophet
Muhammad (peace be upon him), which serve as a model for
Muslims to follow. It includes his lifestyle, way of worship,
interactions, and moral conduct.

2. Scope:

 Hadith:
A specific report or narration that records an instance of

9
 the Prophet's sayings or actions. It is a primary source of
information about the Sunnah.

 Sunnah:
A broader concept referring to the consistent practices
and way of life of the Prophet, which are preserved
through Hadiths.

3. Example:

 Hadith:

Narrated Abdullah bin Umar (may Allah be pleased with him): The
Prophet (peace be upon him) said, "Pray as you have seen me
praying..." (Sahih Bukhari)

 Sunnah:
The actual practice of prayer performed by the Prophet
Muhammad (e.g., raising hands during Takbeer, reciting
specific surahs) is part of the Sunnah of prayer.

4. Types:

 Hadith:
Hadiths are classified based on authenticity, such as Sahih
(authentic), Hasan (good), Da’if (weak), and Mawdu'
(fabricated).

10
  Sunnah:
Sunnah is generally divided into:

o Sunnah Qawliyyah (verbal): The Prophet's sayings.

o Sunnah Fi'liyyah (action): The Prophet's actions,

such as how he prayed, fasted, and performed Hajj.

o Sunnah Taqririyyah (approvals): Instances where

the Prophet approved an action by not objecting to it.

5. Authority:

 Hadith:
Acts as the source of information about the Sunnah and
records the sayings and approvals of the Prophet.
Not every Hadith automatically becomes Sunnah, as some
Hadiths may record actions that were specific to the
Prophet and not intended as a model for others.

 Sunnah:
Holds normative and practical guidance for all Muslims.
It is complementary to the Quran and helps explain its
teachings (e.g., detailed rules of Salah, Zakat, fasting).

6. Preservation:

 Hadith:
Hadiths were transmitted and preserved through oral and

11
 written traditions by narrators and later compiled into
collections by scholars such as Imam Bukhari, Imam
Muslim, Abu Dawood, etc.

 Sunnah:
The Sunnah was preserved both through practice and
narration. The early Muslim community observed and
imitated the Prophet’s lifestyle, preserving it through their
own actions and by passing down traditions.

7. Application:

 Hadith:
A Hadith may describe a one-time event, such as the
Prophet’s personal preference or advice in a particular
situation, which may not necessarily be an obligation for
others.

 Sunnah:
The Sunnah is the Prophet's consistent and universal
practices that form an example to be followed by Muslims
in religious obligations and daily conduct.

Summary:

Aspect Hadith Sunnah

Definition Recorded sayings, actions, The Prophet's

approvals, and consistent practices

12
Aspect Hadith Sunnah

descriptions of the Prophet and way of life

Broader lifestyle and

Scope Specific narrations
traditions

Preserved through
Recorded in Hadith
Source Hadith and community
collections
practices

A practice to be
Nature A report or narration
followed

Through practices and

Through Hadith compilers
Preservation teachings of the Muslim
(e.g., Bukhari, Muslim)
community

Sunnah is binding
Not every Hadith
Authority where applicable in
constitutes Sunnah
religion

In conclusion, Hadith refers to individual reports of what the

Prophet said, did, or approved, while Sunnah is the overall
practical model set by the Prophet, often derived from multiple
Hadiths. Together, both serve as essential sources for
understanding and practicing Islam.

13
14