Are Hadith Authentic, and How Do We Know They Have Been Preserved?
Answered by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Question
Are hadith authentic, and how do we know that they have been preserved?
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Merciful and Compassionate.
It is a tremendous honor and gift from Allah that He has promised to preserve the final revelation and its understanding.
Allah’s Promise to Preserve Revelation
Allah Most High tells us,
“It is certainly We Who have revealed the Remembrance, and it is certainly We Who will preserve it.” [Quran, 15:9]
The “Remembrance” refers to the Quran and its message. This divine promise entails not only the preservation of the text itself, but also its meaning and guidance.
The Necessity of the Sunna
The Quran itself points clearly to the necessity of the Sunna and, by extension, to its preservation. Allah commands,
“O believers! Obey Allah and obey the Messenger.” [Quran, 4:59]
He also says,
“Whatever the Messenger gives you, take it. And whatever he forbids you from, leave it.” [Quran, 59:7]
Allah further tells us,
“Indeed, in the Messenger of Allah you have an excellent example for whoever has hope in Allah and the Last Day.” [Quran, 33:21]
These commands cannot be fulfilled unless the message, teachings, and example of the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) are preserved. If the Sunna were not reliably transmitted, obedience to the Messenger would not be possible, and those who refuse the Messenger would not be clearly distinguished as being astray.
Transmission of the Quran and the Sunna
When we examine how the Quran reached us, we find that it was primarily transmitted through memorization and secondarily through writing. This occurred through a remarkable human effort of scholarly transmission that is unmatched in human history. Allah placed a deep care and concern in the Companions of the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) to preserve the Quran under very challenging circumstances. They memorized it and wrote it down despite limited access to writing materials, ensuring its complete preservation.
The Sunna was transmitted in the same manner. Part of the Sunna was transmitted through mass transmission, similar to the Quran, which is known as mutawatir. Other narrations were transmitted through rigorous, authentic chains known as sahih. Some narrations were soundly transmitted, though with slightly less strength, and others with weaker transmission. This graded and methodical transmission process reflects an unparalleled scholarly rigor.
Learning About Hadith Preservation
The transmission of the Sunna represents a historical effort unmatched in any other civilization. Understanding this process helps clarify why hadith are authentic and trustworthy.
There are many resources available that explain the sciences of hadith and the preservation of the Sunna in detail, including courses and materials that introduce these concepts at a foundational level. Studying these topics helps one appreciate how both the Quran and the Sunna have been preserved as part of Allah’s promise to safeguard His religion.
And Allah is the giver of success and facilitation.
[Shaykh] Faraz Rabbani
Shaykh Faraz Rabbani is a recognized specialist scholar in the Islamic sciences, having studied under leading scholars from around the world. He is the Founder and Executive Director of SeekersGuidance.
Shaykh Faraz stands as a distinguished figure in Islamic scholarship. His journey in seeking knowledge is marked by dedication and depth. He spent ten years studying under some of the most revered scholars of our times. His initial studies took place in Damascus. He then continued in Amman, Jordan.
In Damascus, he was privileged to learn from the late Shaykh Adib al-Kallas. Shaykh Adib al-Kallas was renowned as the foremost theologian of his time. Shaykh Faraz also studied under Shaykh Hassan al-Hindi in Damascus. Shaykh Hassan is recognized as one of the leading Hanafi jurists of our era.
Upon completing his studies, Shaykh Faraz returned to Canada in 2007. His return marked a new chapter in his service to the community. He founded SeekersGuidance. The organization reflects his commitment to spreading Islamic knowledge. It aims to be reliable, relevant, inspiring, and accessible. This mission addresses both online and on-the-ground needs.
Shaykh Faraz is also an accomplished author. His notable work includes “Absolute Essentials of Islam: Faith, Prayer, and the Path of Salvation According to the Hanafi School,” which was published by White Thread Press in 2004 and is a significant contribution to Islamic literature.
His influence extends beyond his immediate community. Since 2011, Shaykh Faraz has been recognized as one of the 500 most influential Muslims. This recognition comes from the Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Center. It underscores his impact on the global Islamic discourse.
Shaykh Faraz Rabbani’s life and work embody a profound commitment to Islamic scholarship. His teachings continue to enlighten and guide seekers of knowledge worldwide.
