The Quran says no

This is a very big problem for Islam. That is to say that the Quran itself condemns the use of any other writing or book other than the Quran. In fact it actually uses the very word Hadith in the Arabic version of the Quran. This word when translated into English uses as an alternative a meaning of the word Hadith. Examples are “sayings”, “word”, “account”, “statement”, “announcement”, “message” and other such terms. By using these alternatives, it actual hides the significance of what the Quran is saying.

To give some examples we have:

So what message after this [Quran] would they believe in? Surah 7:185.

These are Allah’s revelations which We recite to you [O Prophet] in truth. So what message will they believe in after [denying] Allah and His revelations? Surah 45:6.

So what message after this [Quran] would they believe in? Surah 77:50.

The word Hadith is highlighted.

The English translation here and following quotes from the Quran below are by Dr. Mustafa Khattab, The Clear Quran.

We see from these quotes that to use any other guidance other than the Quran, whether spoken or written is forbidden.

The second example is especially hard on the use of a Hadith by saying that they only take up the Hadith after denying the Quran – so in other words if you use the Hadiths then you are revealing that you are amongst those who have turned away from obeying the Quran. This is amplified in Surah 7:2-3 where it says “[This is] a Book sent down to you [O Prophet]—do not let anxiety into your heart regarding it—so with it you may warn [the disbelievers], and as a reminder to the believers. Follow what has been sent down to you from your Lord, and do not take others as guardians besides Him. How seldom are you mindful!”

These Quran verses are not a good start for the existence of the Hadith but it gets worse.

The Quran declares itself complete

The Quran claims to be complete, therefore no other source is needed. Look at the following verses:

We have left nothing out of the Record. Surah 6:38b.

[Say, O Prophet,] “Should I seek a judge other than Allah while He is the One Who has revealed for you the Book [with the truth] perfectly explained?” Surah 6:114a.

In their stories there is truly a lesson for people of reason. This message [Hadith] cannot be a fabrication, rather [it is] a confirmation of previous revelation, a detailed explanation of all things, a guide, and a mercy for people of faith. Surah 12:111.

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.

So we see from these quotes that “We have left nothing out of the record”, “Book perfectly explained”, “a detailed explanation of all things”, and “the Book as an explanation of all things”.

It is very debatable whether the Quran has complete knowledge but it certainly sees itself that way and if it does then why have a Hadith? If it is a fact that the Quran does not have a complete picture and hence the creation of the Hadith, then why does it say it is complete in knowledge for the believer?

Muhammad made mistakes and sinned [1]

Muhammad is rebuked by Allah in the Quran for his errors so just because Muhammad said something does not mean it is the word of Allah. Also it is written that Muhammad admitted to being a sinner, not only in the Quran but also in the Hadith. For Muslims, only the revelation given to Muhammad by the Angel Gabriel counts (this means only the Quran). Otherwise how can taking his life experiences be used as a guide if he was able to make mistakes and sin?

Take these verses for example:

So, know [well, O Prophet,] that there is no god worthy of worship] except Allah. And seek forgiveness for your shortcomings[2] and for [the sins of][2] the believing men and women. For Allah [fully] knows your movements and places of rest [O people]. Surah 47:19 [2]

Indeed, We have granted you a clear triumph [O Prophet] so that Allah may forgive you for your past and future shortcomings,[2] perfect His favour upon you, guide you along the Straight Path, Surah 48:1-2.

So please forgive the sins which I have done in the past or I will do in the future, and also those (sins) which I did in secret or in public, and that which You know better than I. None has the right to be worshipped but You." Sahih Bukhari [3]

Abu Huraira said, "The Prophet said, 'No child is born but that, Satan touches it when it is born whereupon it starts crying loudly because of being touched by Satan, except Mary and her son." Abu Huraira then said, "Recite, if you wish: "And I seek Refuge with You (Allah) for her and her offspring from Satan, the outcast." Sahih Bukhari [4]

The Hadith and Islamic Law

Islamic law, which is known as Sharia law, gets more of its laws from the Hadith than the Quran and yet the Quran states that the law can only come from God/Allah. Let’s have a look at Surah 6:114, “[Say, O Prophet,] “Should I seek a judge other than Allah while He is the One Who has revealed for you the Book [with the truth] perfectly explained?” Those who were given the Scripture know that it has been revealed [to you] from your Lord in truth. So do not be one of those who doubt.”

In some translations, the word translated as judge is hakaman. In some translations it is translated as law giver and both are correct, for the role of a judge is to issue judgments that are based on the law. The Arabic word hakaman is the one who issues ahkam (laws). In 6:114 we find a command not to accept any source of law other than God/Allah.

The risk of shirk

Shirk is according to the Quran when someone makes partners with Allah (by the term makes partners, the Quran means to make them equal with Allah or in other words, into a God). By that it means the worship of idols but more than that, ironically the Hadiths says that to swear by anyone other than Allah is idolatry. Check out Sunan Abi Dawud 3251 [5]. It follows that to take sayings from another source such as the Hadith is making other laws or guidance on a par with the Quran. This is because as we saw above, Muslims are only to take the Quran as Allah’s guide. Thus they commit shirk. Shirk is considered an unforgivable sin according to the Quran.

To finish

To finish, a final warning from Allah on the danger of attributing other messages to Allah which is what the Hadith plainly does when it takes words it claims are from Muhammad and treats them as though they are from Allah.

[It is] a revelation from the Lord of all worlds. Had the Messenger made up something in Our Name, We would have certainly seized him by his right hand, then severed his aorta, and none of you could have shielded him [from Us]! Indeed, this [Quran] is a reminder to those mindful [of Allah]. Surah 69:43-48

Notes

[1] Throughout the Muslim world today it is generally believed that all of the prophets enjoyed an isma, a protection against sin, and that they were accordingly sinless. It is one of the anomalies of Islam that this Doctrine has been established and maintained against the plain teaching of the Qur'an and Hadith to the contrary.

The orthodox belief is that the prophets do not commit sin, and are sinless (ma'sum), but this dogma contradicts various statements of the Qur'an and of Muhammad as recorded in the Traditions. (Klein, The Religion of Islam, p. 109)

[2] Dr. Mustafa Khattab who translated this into English has been very dishonest in his translation by the use of the word “shortcomings” here. The word in Arabic means sins. He even goes on to ad a footnote;

Footnote - 1

“Like other prophets, Muhammad was infallible of sin. The verse here refers to misjudgments, such as the example given in 80:1-10. If the Prophet himself is urged to seek forgiveness, then the believers are even more in need of praying for Allah’s forgiveness.”

This is a very common habit by translators of the Quran into English which is to do with Islam’s problem that the Quran says that Jesus was without sin while all the other Islamic prophets have sinned. Thus they introduced another doctrine that all the prophets were sinless.

It is interesting that actually Dr Khattab gives the game away when he writes “and for [the sins of] the believing men and women” because this is referring to the same word that he previously translated as “shortcomings” and yet shows himself to be inconsistent.

[3] https://sunnah.com/bukhari:7442

[4] https://sunnah.com/bukhari:4548

[5] https://sunnah.com/abudawud:3251

I can not leave it like this!

The purpose of this website is not about exposing the lies and deceit of your particular belief and then leave with no hope and nothing to believe in and no purpose in your life. While it may be a good thing to realise it if you have been lied to too or deceived, this does not mean there is no truth out there.

There is truth and something that you can believe in and commit to and it will change your life – not just for now but for all eternity. Now I am not saying all your problems and troubles will disappear while you are alive in this present world but what you can have is a peace that is greater than your worldly problems. I want to be clear on this – for some people, becoming a Christian could make your life a lot harder. But despite all this, you can have a purpose in your life despite what circumstances you find yourself in. You can have a real fellowship with the living God and actually have God himself dwelling inside you by His Holy Spirit. No one ever regrets becoming a Christian. In the end we will spend eternity with Jesus in paradise. As Paul said “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.” (2 Corinthians 4:17). If you read the book of Acts and see what Paul went through, it is remarkable that he would describe them as “light and momentary troubles.”

The good news is that free and available to all of mankind. You don’t have to be clever or rich or gifted or be from a certain family or country. Anyone can receive it.

The Bible tells you all you have to do is “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved.” That is taken from Acts 16:31. One of the most famous verses from the Bible has the same message, “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16).

There are actually a lot of Bible verses that have the same message about salvation being free and simple but I will quote just one more on this which is Ephesians 2:8-9 “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.”

It is a very important principle to grasp that we can bring nothing to our salvation. It is a gift from God by His grace and we can not add any of our own works to it.

So what to do now?

Of course you can simply just commit your life to Jesus by asking him to forgive all your sins, and asking Him into your life as your Lord. Making Him your Lord will mean that you allow Him to be the Lord of all your life, which means you seek his will in all you do. On occassions you will fail to obey him, but "If we confess our sins,he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness (1John1:9)." If you feel you are not ready to take that step but would like to know more, I would recommend getting hold or download the Bible and start reading it. I would suggest starting in the New Testament but all of the Bible is good for you. It would also be helpful for you to find a good church and go along and ask all those questions that you would love to get answers to.

Also you are very welcome to contact me on my email gospeljohn14verse6@gmail.com and I will help in anyway that I can.

God Bless. Kevin.