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This is a very important subject because Muslims will tell you that the Quran is the only authority of Allah and nothing is allowed to take precedence over it. It is considered the final word from Allah and will tell us it is greater than the books of the Bible despite the fact that the Quran says it is the word of God – especially the five books of Moses, the Gospels, and the Psalms. Considering that that Islam gets the majority of its teaching and religious practices from the Hadith and that the Shariah law is based on the Hadith, then it would be a disaster if the Hadith contradicted the Quran. Below I lay out some of the example of where the Hadith does in fact contradict the Quran. It is not just the Hadiths that contradict the Quran but the same can be applied to most of the writings of Islam of which all came after the death of Muhammad and some, if not most, hundreds of years after his death.

Note that this is not an exhaustive list but just some of the important examples.

 

You may be interested to hear there is also a sect of Islam known as Quranism [1]. Quranists believe that the Quran is complete and is all that is needed to follow Islam and they reject the Hadith as being relevant to the Islamic faith.

 

Opposites

These are the examples that are clear contradictions between the Quran and Hadiths. Now to be fair it needs to be pointed out that sometimes the Quran contradicts itself on some of these and I will try to highlight them when I spot them.

 

 

Example 1: The Shahada

This is very important because by getting this wrong the Hadith has truly slipped into idolatry. The Shahada is one of the five so called pillars of Islam which are the five things a Muslim must perform to be considered a Muslim. It is a declaration that goes like this “I bear witness that there is no god but Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is the messenger of Allah.” The problem is that the Quran states that Allah is the only name to declare and that Muhammad is only a humble messenger. By placing Muhammad in the Shahada, which is a statement of faith, then it is saying that you have to accept Muhammad as well as Allah or you are not a true Muslim. Several Quranic verses (4:36, 6:162-163, 18:110, 39:2-3) teach that Islam’s religious practices are acts of worship; The Shahada is no different and must therefore according to Islam be dedicated solely to God.

 

The Quran:

Allah [Himself] is a Witness that there is no god ˹worthy of worship˺ except Him—and so are the angels and people of knowledge. He is the Maintainer of justice. There is no god ˹worthy of worship˺ except Him—the Almighty, All-Wise. Surah 3:18

 

For whenever it was said to them [in the world], “There is no god [worthy of worship] except Allah,” they acted arrogantly. Surah 37:35.

 

So, know [well, O Prophet,] that there is no god [worthy of worship] except Allah. And seek forgiveness for your shortcomings and for [the sins of] the believing men and women. For Allah [fully] knows your movements and places of rest [O people]. Surah 47:19

 

When the hypocrites come to you ˹O Prophet˺, they say, “We bear witness that you are certainly the Messenger of Allah”—and surely Allah knows that you are His Messenger—but Allah bears witness that the hypocrites are truly liars. Surah 63:1.

This is a very revealing verse because it is the only place in the Quran where Muhammad is declared to be Allah’s messenger and yet it is done by the hypocrites and Allah calls them liars. It looks like they are trying to flatter Muhammad by acknowledging him as the messenger of Allah but this will not help them before Allah when judgement day comes – according to the Quran.

 

The Hadith: I heard the Messenger of Allah say: He who testifies that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is the messenger of Allah, Allah would prohibit the fire of Hell for him. Sahih Muslim 29 (Last couple of sentences in the passage).

This contradicts the Quran for two reasons – not only is it adding Muhammad to the Shahada but it also says that this is sufficient to keep you out of hell but the Quran has other requirements such as the ritual prayer on time every day and paying the mandatory charity every year.

 

There are many many Sahih and Hasan Hadiths that add Muhammad to the Shahada. The wording may vary slightly from one Hadith to another but just to list a few we have, Sunan an-Nasa'i 631, Sunan Ibn Majah 709, Sunan an-Nasa'i 4016, Sunan an-Nasa'i 633, Musnad Ahmad 452, Sunan Ibn Majah 470, al-Bukhari (1399) and Muslim (20), Sahih Muslim 379, Sunan Abi Dawud 502, Sahih Muslim 22, and many more.

 

 

Other issues regarding adding Muhammad to the Shahada

 

The Tashahhud was quoted by Muhammad

The Tashahhud is used at the end of the Islamic prayers that Muslims are supposed to recite several times a day which includes the Shahada. If the Shahada is not quoted then the prayers are considered invalid. The problem is that the Tashahhud was used by Muhammad in his prayers and contains “and I bear witness that Muhammad is the messenger of God.” This makes no sense. Muhammad knew full well that he was the messenger of God according to the Quran, so why would he quote this part. This shows that the part about Muhammad must have come after Muhammad’s death.

 

The ancient coins

The issue of coins presents a problem for Islam because of there being no coins that date back to near the time of Muhammad which is a strange fact, but this is outside of the scope of this article. But when we do look at the coins that are closest in time that mention Muhammad, they have Allah and Muhammad mentioned separately. They may be mentioned on the same side of the coin, but not together in a sentence. A coin that is reckoned to be the first Islamic coin in history only has the Bismillah (in the name of God) and no mention of Muhammad. This is dated to 662-663 CE.

The coin that is thought to be the first known coin to have Muhammad’s name on it, dates from 685-686 CE which is 53 years after the death of Muhammad. This is known as the Abdallah ibn al-Zubayr coin. As said above this has the mention of Allah and of Muhammad separate on the coin.

The first coin to mention anything like the current Shahada was minted at the request of Caliph Abd al-Malik in 694-695 CE and carried the statement “In the name of God, there is no god but God alone, Muhammad is the apostle of God.” So in these coins we see an evolution from a Shahada without Muhammad to one with.

 

 

 

Example 2: treatment of the people of the book

The Quran: Invite ˹all˺ to the Way of your Lord with wisdom and kind advice, and only debate with them in the best manner. Surely your Lord ˹alone˺ knows best who has strayed from His Way and who is ˹rightly˺ guided. Surah 16:125.

 

The Hadith: Do not greet the Jews and the Christians before they greet you and when you meet any one of them on the roads force him to go to the narrowest part of it. Sahih Muslim 2167a

 

Comment: The Quran is very confusing on how it responds to the people of the book (Christians and Jews). Compare Surah 9:29 which says to fight until they give the jizyah (tax) willingly and are humbled while Surah 29:47 seems to suggest that the people of the book will believe the message that Muhammad brings. I guess I could say in defence of the Hadith that if the Quran on this subject is confused why should the Hadith be any different.

 

 

Example 3: the punishment for adultery

The Quran: flogging, with no distinction made between the married or unmarried woman, or the married man or unmarried man:

As for female and male fornicators, give each of them one hundred lashes, and do not let pity for them make you lenient in [enforcing] the law of Allah, if you ˹truly˺ believe in Allah and the Last Day. And let a number of believers witness their punishment. Surah 24:2.

 

The Hadith:

'Ubada b. as-Samit reported:

Allah's Messenger as saying: Receive (teaching) from me, receive (teaching) from me. Allah has ordained a way for those (women). When an unmarried male commits adultery with an unmarried female (they should receive) one hundred lashes and banishment for one year. And in case of married male committing adultery with a married female, they shall receive one hundred lashes and be stoned to death. Sahih Muslim 1690a.

 

 

Example 4: Months of Hajj

The Quran:

For Hajj are the months well known. If any one undertakes that duty therein, Let there be no obscenity, nor wickedness, nor wrangling in the Hajj. And whatever good ye do, (be sure) Allah knoweth it. And take a provision (With you) for the journey, but the best of provisions is right conduct. So fear Me, o ye that are wise. Surah 2:197 A. Yusuf Ali version. The four months are what are know as Hurum or 4 special holy months.

Note. The Dr. Mustafa Khattab version tries to explain this dilemma away. The part relating to the months is translated ““[Commitment to] pilgrimage is made in appointed months” then has this note; Although pilgrimage is performed over the course of a few days in the 12th month of the Islamic calendar, the intention to perform pilgrimage can be made during the 10th, 11th, and the first half of the 12th months” thus trying to get around this contradiction between the Quran and the Hadith by changing the literal meaning of the Arabic.

 

The Hadith:

Jabir said The Apostle of Allaah and his companions came to Makkah on the fourth of Dhu Al Hijjah. When they circumambulated the Ka’bah and ran between al Safa’ and al Marwah the Apostle of Allaah said Change this (Hajj) into ‘Umrah, except those who have brought the sacrificial animals with them. When the eighth of Dhul Al Hijjah came, they raised their voices in talbiyah for Hall. When the tenth of Dhul Al Hijjah came, they circumambulated the Ka’bah, but did not run between al Safa’ and Al Marwah. Sunan Abi Dawud 1788.

Note. Even though the Quran grants a four month period in which Hajj can take place, it has become the custom in Islam that it has to be around the eight day of the month of Dhul Al Hijjah which seems to have come from verses like the one above. I can’t find a Hadith that states clearly it has to be at that date. Nevertheless the Quran has been ignored again with the consequence that crowds of Muslim are forced to squeeze into a small area which has resulted in deaths due to crushing. It also has the effect of pushing up prices for flights and hotels in Mecca not to mention the added tension of having to compete to get anywhere near the Kaaba.

 

 

 

 

Additions

These are where additions are made to what the Quran teaches which could be argued are not contradictions until you remember that the Quran says that it is complete “We have left nothing out of the Record. Surah 6:38b, or “We have revealed to you the Book as an explanation of all things, a guide, a mercy, and good news for those who [fully] submit.” Surah 16:89 (CF Surah’s 6:114 and 6:115). If the Quran is complete then to add to it is to call Allah a liar. If you are a Muslim reading this, do you want to do such a thing?

 

Example 1: The course of the sun

The Quran.

The sun travels for its fixed term. That is the design of the Almighty, All-Knowing.

Surah 36:38.

 

The Hadith.

[On where the sun goes]: The Prophet said: “It passes until it prostrates itself beneath the Throne, and seeks and is granted permission. Soon it will prostrate but this will be rejected, and it will seek but not be granted permission. It will be told to ‘return whence you came’. Then it will rise from its setting place [the West]. These are the words of the Almighty: And the Sun runs on to its place of settlement. That is the determination of the Mighty, the Knowing One. Narrated by Abū Dharr and preserved by Muslim, Abū Dā’ūd, al-Tirmidhī and al-Nisā’ī.

 

 

Eample 2: The night of power

The Quran.

Glory be to the One Who took His servant [Muḥammad] by night from the Sacred Mosque to the Farthest Mosque whose surroundings We have blessed, so that We may show him some of Our signs. Indeed, He alone is the All-Hearing, All-Seeing.

And We gave Moses the Scripture and made it a guide for the Children of Israel, [stating:] “Do not take besides Me any other Trustee of Affairs,

Surah 17:1.

Also

Indeed, [it is] We [Who] sent this [Quran] down on the Night of Glory. And what will make you realize what the Night of Glory is? The Night of Glory is better than a thousand months. That night the angels and the [holy spirit descend, by the permission of their Lord, for every [decreed] matter. It is all peace until the break of dawn. Surah 97:1-5.

Islam teaches that Muhammad was taken from Mecca to Jerusalem which is based on these verses. Also it is taught that Muhammad received the Quran from Gabriel at this stage – or at least some of it. It is also taught that he ascended up to the seventh heaven which is based on Surah 53:13-18. Then we have to go to the Hadith to get more information on what Islam teaches about the night of power.

 

The Hadith.

Then a white animal which was smaller than a mule and bigger than a donkey was brought to me ... The animal's step (was so wide that it) reached the farthest point within the reach of the animal's sight. Taken from Sahih al-Bukhari 3887

And

Then he [Gabriel] brought the Buraq, handsome-faced and bridled, a tall, white beast, bigger than the donkey but smaller than the mule. He could place his hooves at the farthest boundary of his gaze. He had long ears. Whenever he faced a mountain his hind legs would extend, and whenever he went downhill his front legs would extend. He had two wings on his thighs which lent strength to his legs. He bucked when Muhammad came to mount him. The angel Gabriel put his hand on his mane and said: "Are you not ashamed, O Buraq? By Allah, no-one has ridden you in all creation more dear to Allah than he is." Hearing this he was so ashamed that he sweated until he became soaked, and he stood still so that the Prophet mounted him. Taken from Muhammad 'Alawi al-Maliki (1999). The Prophet's Night Journey and Heavenly Ascent., translated by Gibril Fouad Haddad, chapter 2 (okay I admit this is not in the Hadiths but gives you an idea about the confusion caused by the Quran not giving a full picture).

 

When is the night of power?

There is also another point of confusion – when is the night of power? There is no clear information given for a date for the night and even the information that is given is contradictory – even from within the same Hadith author. For example Bukhari said it will occur in the last seven days and the last ten days, cf Sahih al-Bukhari 2015 and Sahih al-Bukhari 2017. He also wrote that Allah told him which night it was but he then forgot the date. In Sunan Abi Dawud 1386 it says it should be the 27th of the month – this is a Sahih Hadith. Nearly all the accounts say it is to be on one the odd dates of the month, whether the last seven or the last ten but Bukhari says this to contradict both of those suggestions, “Allah's Messenger said, "The Night of Qadr is in the last ten nights of the month (Ramadan), either on the first nine or in the last (remaining) seven nights (of Ramadan)." Ibn `Abbas added, "Search for it on the twenty-fourth (of Ramadan).” Confused? – I know I am!

 

 

Example 3: The Salat (daily prayers)

There are many rules in Islam when it comes to offering the daily prayers but it is that most of these rules come from the Hadiths and traditions of Islam. The Quran only has two rules – keep the stated times, and do not pray when intoxicated. You could also say that there is a requirement for cleansing after defilement by actions such as sex, but this is a general rule that applies to all occasions in Islam.

 

The Quran.

O believers! Do not approach prayer while intoxicated until you are aware of what you say, nor in a state of [full] impurity—unless you merely pass through [the mosque]—until you have bathed. But if you are ill, on a journey, or have relieved yourselves, or been intimate with your wives and cannot find water, then purify yourselves with clean earth, wiping your faces and hands. And Allah is Ever-Pardoning, All-Forgiving. Surah 4:43.

 

The Hadith.

Fatimah b. Abu Hubaish came to the Apostle and said: I am a woman whose blood keeps flowing (even after the menstruation period). I am never purified; should I, therefore, abandon prayer? He (the Holy Prophet) said: Not at all, for that is only a vein, and is not a menstruation, so when menstruation comes, abandon prayer, and when it ends wash the blood from yourself and then pray. Sahih Muslim 333a.

 

A woman asked ‘A’ishah: should a menstruating woman complete the prayer abandoned during the period of menses? ‘A’ishah said: Are you a Haruriyyah? During menstruation in the time of the Messenger of Allah (May peace be upon him) we would not complete (the abandoned prayers), nor were we commanded to complete them. Sunan Abi Dawud 262.

 

 

 

 

Surah 5:44b: reads “So do not fear the people; fear Me! Nor trade my revelations for a fleeting gain. And those who do not judge by what Allah has revealed are ˹truly˺ the disbelievers.” In other words, if you judge according to Hadiths instead of the Quran, you are a disbeliever according to the book of God. Further note to this verse; this verse at its start also says “We revealed the Torah, containing guidance and light” which reveals that the Quran states that the Torah is God’s word, so in saying this, it is okay to obey the Torah – but not the Hadith.

 

These example are far from exhaustive. In fact just about everything we hear about the rules and practices of Islam come from the Hadith rather than the Quran, even though the Quran declares itself to be complete in all needed knowledge Surah 6:38b, 16:89, and 6:114-115.

 

All this begs the question “how can a Hadith be sahih but contradict the Quran?”