WHO PROTECTS THE HADITH? PART TWO OF THREE

Ladies going to the mosque: a way o life in muslim countries: courtesy: http://vladimirkagan.typepad.com/vladimir-kagans-blog/2011/06/our-fabulous-visit-to-istanbul.html

Question:

Sis. Mehjabeen writes from Edmonton, Canada: I read your article in which you say that Jewish scholars attacked Hadith and rejecters of Hadith are influenced by them. I have the book MAQAME HADITH by Allama G.A. Pervez in which on page3 he quotes God’s words from the Qur’an: “Surely We revealed this Qur’an and surely We are its Guardian.” (15:9) Then on page 4 he compares the Qur’an with the Hadith and writes: “Allah Almighty has not taken the responsibility for safeguarding anything other than the Qur’an.” How can you disagree with that.? Allama Pervez is right and you are wrong. Qur’an is full of certainty, Hadith is a human product.

PART TWO

FOR PART ONE CLICK HERE…..

Response by Kaukab Siddique: Dear sister. Asalamu alaikum. Surah 15, verse 9 itself indicates that the entire edifice of the rejecters of Hadith is built on a false premise. The verse does NOT use the word “Qur’an”; it uses the word “Zikr.” In Arabic it says: “Inna nahnu nazzal-naz-zikra wa inna lahu la-hafizun.” Thus the correct translation is:

“Surely We revealed the Zikr and surely We are its Guardian.”

Yusuf Ali has translated az-Zikr as “the Message.” The word is used numerous times in the Qur’an and these usages indicate that Zikr is not only the Qur’an but the entire Islamic way of life implemented by the Prophet (pbuh).

PART TWO

THE DIMENSIONS OF “ZIKR “”

Then Allah widens the meaning of Zikr and applies the word to cover all the sanctities of Islam, the entire spiritual and physical life of the believers, of which formal prayer and zakat are only one part. The Qur’an is the center of this Zikr, but the Zikr covers the entire area of life itself:

رِجَالٌ لَّا تُلْهِيهِمْ تِجَارَةٌ وَلَا بَيْعٌ عَن ذِكْرِ اللَّـهِ وَإِقَامِ الصَّلَاةِ وَإِيتَاءِ الزَّكَاةِ ۙ يَخَافُونَ يَوْمًا تَتَقَلَّبُ فِيهِ الْقُلُوبُ وَالْأَبْصَارُ ﴿٣٧﴾

“…People, whom neither sale nor trade can divert from the ZIKR of Allah, nor from regular prayer, nor from paying zakat. Their only fear is for the Day when hearts and eyes will be turned about.” [24:37]

The Islamic way of life, as established by the Prophet, pbuh, includes the Qur’an and the entire way of life based on prayer (Salah). All of it is Zikr and is safeguarded by Allah, as in 15:9. Note well this comprehensive meaning of Zikr:

اتْلُ مَا أُوحِيَ إِلَيْكَ مِنَ الْكِتَابِ وَأَقِمِ الصَّلَاةَ ۖ إِنَّ الصَّلَاةَ تَنْهَىٰ عَنِ الْفَحْشَاءِ وَالْمُنكَرِ ۗ وَلَذِكْرُ اللَّـهِ أَكْبَرُ ۗ وَاللَّـهُ يَعْلَمُ مَا تَصْنَعُونَ ﴿٤٥

“Recite what is sent of the Book by inspiration to thee (o Muhammad), and establish regular prayer, for prayer restrains from shameful and evil deeds: and ZIKR of Allah is the greatest without doubt. And Allah knows the (deeds) that ye do.” [29:45]

In the content of the Quran there is a strong element of admonition as well as good news. The Qur’an connects the Prophet’s role of being a warner (nazeer) and Bashir (bringer of good tidings) with its own purpose. The verse about admonition also indicates clearly that the ZIKR is the meaning of the Qur’an and not the WORDS of the Qur’an:

ص ۚ وَالْقُرْآنِ ذِي الذِّكْرِ ﴿١﴾ بَلِ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا فِي عِزَّةٍ وَشِقَاقٍ﴿٢

“Sa’ad: By the Qur’an, full of Admonition [ZIKR], but the unbelievers are steeped in self-glory and opposition …” [38:1-2]

Every Muslim, man and woman, is involved not only in reciting the Qur’an but also in the process of life enunciated by the Prophet (pbuh). Hence the true believers, MEN and WOMEN are :

وَالذَّاكِرِينَ اللَّـهَ كَثِيرًا وَالذَّاكِرَاتِ أَعَدَّ اللَّـهُ لَهُم مَّغْفِرَةً وَأَجْرًا عَظِيمًا ﴿٣٥﴾

“ZAKIRIN Allaha kathiran- waz- ZAKIRAT.” [33:35] [Men and women who engage much in Allah’s remembrance.]

Once we have clarified the fact that by safeguarding ZIKR, Allah is safeguarding the entire Islamic way of life, including the Qur’an, let us note that the Qur’an sanctifies the example of the Prophet (pbuh) as essential to Islam and hence blesses and safeguards the Prophet, the sahaba (r.a.) and the authentic role model enshrined in the Hadith:

THE ZIKR OF MUHAMMAD (pbuh) At a time of great stress and difficulty, the Qur’an prophesied for Muhammad (pbuh) that his Zikr or remembrance would be raised high in exaltation:

وَرَفَعْنَا لَكَ ذِكْرَكَ ﴿٤﴾

“And We raised high your ZIKR.” [94:4]

Thus we find the name of Muhammad (pbuh) honored and exalted next to Allah’s in Adhan, iqama, khutba, kalima-e-tayyaba, attahiyat, etc. Of special significance is the ZIKR of Muhammad (pbuh) in the Adhan, the call to prayer, which takes place FIVE TIMES A DAY around the world, from Nigeria to Morocco to Sudan, from Arabia to Pakistan to Indonesia to the Philippines. This call in which the ZIKR of Muhammad (pbuh) is exalted is referred to in the Qur’an but neither the command to call the Adhan nor the words of the Adhan are given in the Qur’an.

IF THE ADHAN WERE NOT ENSHRINED IN THE HADITH, the entire fabric of the Islamic world, which is knit into UNITY by the adhan would not have existed. The ZIKR of Muhammad (pbuh) is a telling proof that Allah safeguards the Prophet’s ZIKR (pbuh) as much as Allah safeguards the Qur’an.

CONTINUED IN PART THREE TOMORROW INSHALLAH……..

CLICK HERE FOR PART ONE……..