The Quran about the term “hadith”

In the name of God, the Gracious, the Merciful

The term “hadith” is the most commonly used term by Muslims. This word is translated as “story, narrative, tradition, talk, conversation.” The Muslim tradition has a very special understanding of the word “hadith.” “Hadiths” are called non-Quranic stories about the life of the messenger of Muhammad, called “Sunna.” However in the Quran, God uses the word “hadith” in other semantic forms.

The Quran as a hadith-narrative

Do they not look into the realm of the heavens and the earth, that God has created everything? That perhaps their appointed time has come near? So in what story (hadiisin) hereafter will they believe? (7:185)

There was certainly in their narratives (khysas) a lesson for those of understanding. Never was it a narration (hadiisan) invented!

But a confirmation of what was before it and a detailed explanation of all things and Guidance and mercy for a people who believe! (12:111)

Then perhaps you would kill yourself through grief over them, if they do not believe in this narrative (hadiisi), out of sorrow. (18:6)

God has sent down the best story (hadiisi), with similar, repetitive prescriptions. The skins shiver therefrom of those who fear their Lord! Then their skins and their hearts relax at the remembrance of God! That is the guidance of God! By which He guides whom He wills. And one whom God leaves astray – for him there is no guide! (39:23)

Then let them produce a story (hadiisin) like it, if they should be truthful. (52:34)

Then is it to this story (hadiisi) that you are indifferent (56:81)

So leave Me, with whoever denies this story (hadiisi). We will progressively lead them from where they do not know. (68:44)

Signs of the Quran as hadiths-stories

But if good comes to them, they say, “This is from God!”, and if evil befalls them, they say, “This is from you!”

Say, “All are from God!”

So what is with those people that they can hardly understand the story (hadiisan)? (4:78)

God – there is no deity except Him. He will surely assemble you for the day of standing before Him, about which there is no doubt. And who is more truthful than God in story (hadiisan)? (4:87)

Human stories – hadiths

And it has already come down to you in the Prescription that when you hear the signs of God, with people closed from them and mocking them, so do not sit with them until they switch to another story (hadiisin). Indeed, you would then be like them. Indeed God will gather the venal and closed ones in Hell all together! (4:140)

And when you see those who engage in discourse concerning Our signs, then turn away from them until they switch to another story (hadiisin). And if disobedient should cause you to forget, then do not remain after the reminder with the obscurantists! (6:68)

And of the people is he who buys the amusing story (hadiisi) to mislead from the way of God without knowledge. They took it in ridicule. Those will have a humiliating punishment! (31:6)

Narratives – Hadiths from the Quran

In the Quran, there is a steady form of God’s appeal to the messenger: “Has the story reached you (hadith)?”

This expression refers to the various characters and events described in the text of the Quran, and there is not a single reference to non-Quranic hadiths.

And has the story (hadiisu) of Moses reached you? (20:9)

Has there reached you the story (hadiisu) of the honored guests of Ibrahim (Abraham)? (51:24)

Has there reached you the story (hadiisu) of the soldiers of pharaoh and the nation of Thamud? (85:17-18)

Has there reached you the story (hadiisu) of the calamity? (88:1)

 

Words formed from the root of “hadasa” are found in many other places and are translated in different ways.

And when they meet those who believe, they say, “We have believed”; but when they are alone with one another, they say, “Do you tell (tuhaddisuna) to them about what God has revealed to you so they can argue with you about it before your Lord?” Then will you not reason? (2:76)

That day, those who closed themselves and disobeyed the messenger will wish they could be covered by the earth. And they will not conceal from God a story (hadiisan). (4:42)

And thus your Lord has chosen you! He will teach you the interpretation of stories (ahaadiisu) and complete His favor upon you and upon the family of Yaqub (Jacob), as He completed it upon your fathers before, Ibrahim (Abraham) and Ishaq (Isaac)! Indeed, your Lord is Knowing and Wise!” (12:6)

And thus, We established Yusuf (Joseph) in the land that We might teach him the interpretation of stories (ahaadiisu). And God is predominant over His affair, but most of the people do not know. (12:21)

He said, “Then if you follow me, do not ask me about anything until I tell (uhdisa) you about it mention.” (18:70)

And thus We have sent it down as an Arabic Literature (Quran) and have diversified therein the warnings that perhaps they will be aware or it would retell (uhdisu) them remembrance! (20:113)

The coming of the recited (muhdasin) reminder of the Lord, excluded their attention. They were at play. Their hearts were inattentive. (21:2)

Then We sent Our messengers in succession. Every time there came to a headship its messenger, they denied him. So We sent them one after another, and We made them as the subject of the tales (ahaadiisu). So away with a people who do not believe! (23:44)

O you who have believed! Do not enter the houses of the prophet except when you are permitted for a meal, without awaiting its readiness. But when you are invited, then enter; and when you have eaten, disperse without seeking to remain for conversation (hadiisin). Indeed, that was troubling the prophet, and he is shy of you. But God is not shy of the truth… (33:53)

But they said, “Our Lord! Lengthen the distance between our journeys!” and wronged themselves, so We made them the subject of the tales (ahaadiisa) and dispersed them in total dispersion. Indeed in that are signs for everyone patient and grateful! (34:19)

…And whoever transgresses the limits of God has certainly wronged himself.

You know not, perhaps God will tell (yuhdisu) about after that some command. (65:1)

When the prophet confided to one of his wives a story (hadiisan), and then she informed of it. God showed it to him, he made known part of it and ignored a part… (66:3)

That day, it will report its tidings (tuhaddisu)! (99:4)

These are the signs of God which We recite to you in truth. Then in what story (hadiisin) after God and His signs will they believe? (45:6)

Then in what story (hadiisin) after it will they believe? (77:50)