For anyone new to Islam or confused about the term “hadith,” understanding this concept is essential to practicing the faith correctly. Sheikh Muhammad Salehy breaks it down in the simplest terms: the hadith are the statements, sayings, and teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), and together with the Quran, they form the two tracks upon which every Muslim’s life must run.
The Quran and Hadith: Two Tracks, One Train
The Quran is the literal word of Allah — miraculous in its composition, grammar, and beauty. The hadith, on the other hand, contains the Prophet’s own words, but the meaning comes from Allah. Think of it this way: Allah revealed the guidance, and the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) explained and demonstrated how to implement it in daily life.
“As a Muslim, you are like a train — you have two tracks you must go on. The Quran is the words of Almighty Allah, and the hadith is the statements of the Prophet. Both complement one another, complete one another, and explain one another.”
How Do We Know a Hadith Is Authentic?
- Chain of narration (isnad): Every hadith has a chain of transmission traced back to the Prophet, and specialists examine each link in that chain
- Narrator evaluation: Each person in the chain is scrutinized for reliability, memory, truthfulness, and character
- Classification system: Hadith are graded as authentic (sahih), good (hasan), weak (da’if), or fabricated based on rigorous scholarly analysis
- Expert scholars: Just as you take gold to a jeweler to verify its authenticity, hadith verification requires trained specialists — not casual opinion
Why We Cannot Follow Quran Alone
“Ask somebody who says they only follow the Quran: did Allah command you to pray? He will say yes. Then show me one single verse in the Quran that tells you how many prayers you are supposed to pray every day. They have no answer.”
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) himself prophesied that a time would come when people would claim the Quran alone is sufficient. But without the hadith, Muslims would not know how to pray, how much zakah to give, or countless other essential details of worship and daily life. The hadith is a mercy from Allah — a living example through His final messenger showing humanity exactly how to implement divine guidance. Separating the two is not an option for anyone who sincerely seeks to follow Islam as it was meant to be practiced.
