Hadith and its authenticity

Authenticity of Hadith

There are scholars who believe that the Ahadith are as authentic as the Qur’an. This, of course, is an incorrect view. Whilst there is no need to investigate the authenticity of the Quran, both the (i) text and (ii) chain of narration of a Hadith require investigation.

While investigating the text of a hadith, following two points must always remain in considerations:

(a) nothing in t should be against Qur’an and Sunnah, and
(b) nothing in it should be against the established facts derived from knowledge and reason.

While investigating the chain of narrators of a certain hadith following points be of strict considerations:

(a) the trustworthiness of narrators (other than the ‘sahaba’-the companions of the Prophet (sws), as their soundness of character, however, is an exception and does not need the conformation of any standard. The Almighty Himself has borne witness to it in His Book. Qur’an, 3:110.)

(b) their memory, and

(c) their contemporaneousness.

Since attributing something suspect to the Prophet (sws) can be of severe consequences in this world and in that to come, it is necessary to apply these standards without any allowance and with absolute impartiality to every narrative attributed to him (sws). Only those narratives should be considered acceptable which fully conform to this standard. Thus no narrative attributed to the Prophet (sws) even if found in primary works as the al-Jami al-Sahih of Imam Bukhari, al-Jami al-Sahih of Imam Muslim and the Mu’atta of Imam Malik can be accepted without application of this standard.

As far as understanding of ahadith is concerned:

i) ahadith should strictly be understood in the light of Qur’an.

ii) The message and the essence of a certain hadith should be determined by taking into consideration the timing and the environment relating to that particular hadith.

iii) While ascertaining to the essence of a certain hadith, all other ahadith narrated in that respect / subject should also remain in view.