Knowledge Excellence and Importance

The Holy Quran and the Hadith are the bases of Islamic Law.  The Holy Quran is a comprehensive divine law and code of life, whose details, interpretation and elucidation are given in the Hadith.

 

The Holy Quran has orders to establish Salaat and pay Zakaat.  There is mention in it of the obligation of fasting as well as the order for Haj, but the number of Salaat has not been mentioned explicitly, the detailed rules of fasting and the different articles of Haj and Umrah are not described, but all these details are up to the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam)

 

The utterances of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) do have a legal status.  Every word and action of His is a part of the Shariah.  The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) has said the following supplication for those who serve the cause of Hadith, as given in Sunan Ibn Majah:

 

Translation:  It has been narrated on the authority of Hadhrat Abdul Rahman Bin ‘Abdullah (May Allah be well pleased with him) who narrates from his father that the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said: May Allah keep that person happy who listens to any Hadith of ours and conveys it to others. (Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadith No: 238) 

 

Those who serve Hadith have this special honor that the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) has declared them as His caliphs and successors. 

 

It is mentioned in the Hadith:

 

Translation:  It has been narrated on the authority of Hadhrat ‘Ali (May Allah be well pleased with him) that the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) came to us and said the following 3 times:

 

Oh Allah! Have mercy on my successors!

 

The companions asked:  O Prophet of Allah (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam)! Who are your successors?  The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) replied:  My successors are those who will come after me and narrate my Hadith and acquaint people with them.  (Kanz Ul Ummaal, Hadith No: 29488)