Definition of Hadith of the holy Prophet PBUH and its authority in the religion of Islam

[shaikhrafique]

Definition of Hadith of the holy Prophet PBUH and its authority in the religion of Islam

By Mohammad Rafique Etesame

Almighty Allah Says in the holy Qur’an,” And whatsoever the messenger giveth you, take it. And whatsoever he forbiddeth, abstain (from it). And keep your duty to Allah. Lo! Allah is stern in reprisal.” (Al-Hashar : 7). And,” وَأَمَّا بِنِعْمَةِ رَبِّكَ فَحَدِّثْ  Therefor of the bounty of thy Lord be thy discourse. ﴾Az-Zuha: 11﴿. And the holy Prophet PBUH said,” حدثوا عنی ولا حرج” Talk to me, no problem.

Literal meaning of hadith is utterance or to speak any word, but according to Islamic term, it applies to the saying, actions and the silent approval of the holy Prophet PBUH.

 It means if a companion of the holy Prophet PBUH did any Islamic act in the presence of the holy Prophet PBUH, and it was in his PBUH notice, but he did not disapprove and criticize it. Then  this was the proof that it was right.

Also hadith is defined as,” A compilation of narratives describing the sayings, practices and silent approval of Prophet Muhammad. And a collection of traditions containing sayings of the prophet Muhammad PBUH which, with accounts of his daily practice (Sunnah), constitute the major source of guidance for Muslims apart from the Al-Qur’an.

And Hadith have been called "the backbone" of Islamic civilization, and within Islam the authority of hadith as a source for religious law and moral guidance ranks second only to that of the Quran. (Wikipedia)

Hadith is, infect the practical explanation of the holy Qur’an, the holy Prophet PBUH expounded the commandments of the holy Qur’an by his good example, the holy Qur’an makes mention,”  وَأَقِيمُوا۟ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَءَاتُوا۟ ٱلزَّكَوٰةَ وَٱرْكَعُوا۟ مَعَ ٱلرَّٰكِعِينَ “and be constant in prayer, and spend in charity, and bow down in prayer with all who thus bow down”. (The Cow) 2:43).

So, the holy Prophet PBUH said,” صلوا کما رایتمونی اصلی” establish prayers just as I establish them. So, the holy Prophet PBUH established the daily five prayers with detail and explained their complete method.

Now, only that prayer will be accepted and is authentic that is offered in the same way of the good example of the holy Prophet PBUH, and apart from that, any prayer that is offered against it , will be rejected.

Similarly, the holy Prophet PBUH offered other worships like zakat (poor-due, charity), fasting of the Month of Ramadan, going to Hajj and other religious matters by his good example.

 So, a faithful believer should follow this “uswai hasana” in every walk of life, so that he/she may be successful in this life and also in the Hereafter.