Hadith and Sunna
Islam as it is practiced today has little to do with Islam according to the Quran. The vast majority of Muslims in the world today go against the Quran by using other "prophetic" books as additional sources of guidance. Collectively, these books are called Hadith and Sunna, and they contain enough drivel to fill up about ten Quran-sized books. The contents? Supposedly the collected sayings and approved actions of the prophet Muhammad. The problems with these books are many:
- Much of their content is in complete contradiction with the Quran and even within themselves. Surely God would not have us rely on such ambiguity for guidance. See the link below for a partial list of contradicting passages.
- There is no verse in the Quran saying to follow Hadith or Sunna. On the contrary, the Quran hints in many verses that the Quran was meant to be the Arabs' only source of guidance. One example:
We place shields around their minds, to prevent them from understanding it, and deafness in their ears. And when you cite your Lord according to the Quran *alone*, they run away in aversion. [17:46]
- Had Muhammad wanted his sayings and actions recorded, he would have had it done while he was still alive so as not to sacrifice accuracy and completeness. But Hadith and Sunna books did not come into existence until many years after Muhammad's death. This claim is supported by Joseph Schacht, the most influential modern Western authority on Islamic law1. In fact, the first real collection of Hadith was made by Malik Ibn Anas, who was born after Muhammad died2.
- The Quran sets Muhammad's function as warner, nothing more. If the Quran insists Muhammad's job was only to warn, why are we so bent upon things like eating a certain way, donning a beard, or wearing certain clothing styles just because "he did it"?
You are no more than a warner. [35:23]
- A good number of the narrations in these books are ridiculously irrational or absurd, going against all common sense. See the link below.
For at least these reasons, the Muslim masses really need to abandon Hadith and Sunna and go back to the Quran alone. The evidence tells us that the other books are mere human fabrications.
Concrete examples of some of the above points.
References.
1. John L. Esposito. Islam The Straight Path. 3rd edition, pg. 81.
2. Frederick Mathewson Denny. An Introduction to Islam. 2nd edition, pg. 164.
