Why Aren’t Quraysh Dialect Features Preserved in Hadith?
Answered by Mawlana Ilyas Patel
Question
Why weren’t the dialectal features of Quraysh, such as imala and easing of the hamza, preserved in the transmission of Hadith, and why are Hadith now taught in Modern Standard Arabic?
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate.
This is a rich question on Arabic linguistic history, Quranic recitation, and hadith transmission.
The various hadiths indicate that only the Quran was revealed in the seven modes of recitation (ahruf). These features were not meant to be transmitted and represented in the hadith. Additionally, MSA is a modern, standardized descendant of Classical Arabic, significantly influenced by the language of the Quran and pre-Islamic poetry. It is not identical to any tribal dialect, including Quraysh. It has evolved over time through usage. See the link below.
MSA is a Descendant of Classical Arabic
Early hadith were shared in Classical Arabic, which differs from Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) as it was more fluid and closely related to pre-standardized dialects. As time passed, these hadith were documented, and editors took great care to standardize the language, ensuring it aligned with the grammatical norms of Classical Arabic rather than specifically the Quraysh dialect.
The diligent work of later grammarians and hadith compilers led to correcting dialectical forms in isnads and matn, aligning them with formal Arabic grammar. Therefore, the version of hadith you read today reflects this “classicized” Arabic; while it is older and more flexible than MSA, it has also been refined from its dialectal roots. [Ahmad ‘Ali al-Imam, Variant Readings of the Quran]
I would like you to go through the valuable answers and links below. Insha’Allah, you will receive guidance and direction.
Related
- Are the Seven Ahruf (Modes of Recitation) the Same as …
- What Is the Difference between the Ten Qira’at and …
- Are the Qira’at Based on Ijtihadi Recitations of …
Why not begin your search for knowledge by signing up for a course on SeekersGuidance? You can choose from the Islamic Studies Curriculum and progress through each course step by step.
I pray this helps with your question.
Wassalam,
[Mawlana] Ilyas Patel
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Mawlana Ilyas Patel has received a traditional education in various countries. He started his schooling in the UK and completed his hifz of the Quran in India. After that, he joined an Islamic seminary in the UK, where he studied secular and Aalimiyya sciences. Later, he traveled to Karachi, Pakistan, and other Middle Eastern countries to further his education. Mawlana has served as an Imam in the Republic of Ireland for several years and taught the Quran and other Islamic sciences to both children and adults. He also worked as a teacher and librarian at a local Islamic seminary in the UK for 12 years. Presently, he lives in the UK with his wife and is interested in books and gardening.
