Answer
In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.
In this fatwa:
The Quranic foundation of Hadith is based on Allah’s commands to obey and follow His Messenger (peace be upon him). The Quran explains that the Prophet was entrusted with teaching and explaining the revelation (An-Nahl 16:44). Therefore, Muslims follow the Quran and the authentic Sunnah to understand and practise Islam.
Responding to your question, Sheikh Ahmad Kutty, a senior lecturer and an Islamic scholar at the Islamic Institute of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, states:
How Should I Understand the Quran and Hadith?
You are not ignorant because you are asking questions. Wanting to understand your religion sincerely is itself a good sign. Learn gradually, beginning with the Quran and the essential teachings of Islam.
Why Do We Need Hadith?
The Quran does not present the Prophet (peace be upon him) merely as someone who delivered a book. Allah also entrusted him with teaching and explaining the revelation (An-Nahl 16:44).
For example, the Quran commands us to pray, fast, give Zakah, and perform Hajj, but many practical details are taught through the Prophet’s (peace be upon him) words and example. Allah repeatedly commands us in the Quran to follow His Messenger (peace be upon him).
In one particularly beautiful verse, Allah tells the Prophet (peace be upon him) to declare:
{Say, ‘If you love God, follow me, and God will love you and forgive you your sins.’} (Aal `Imran 3:31)
This verse teaches us that true love of Allah is not expressed through words alone. It is shown by following the guidance and example of His Messenger (peace be upon him). Following the Prophet (peace be upon him) is therefore a path to Allah’s love, mercy, and forgiveness.
Therefore, Muslims follow both the Quran and the authentic Sunnah. The Sunnah helps us understand how the Quran is lived and practised.
Are All Hadiths Authentic? Understanding Hadith Classification
No. Not every report attributed to the Prophet (peace be upon him) is equally reliable. Muslim scholars developed a sophisticated science for examining Hadith. They studied who transmitted each report, the reliability of the narrators, and the content of the report itself.
Hadiths may, therefore, be classified as authentic (sahih), acceptable (hasan), weak (daʿif), or fabricated.
For this reason, do not judge Islam by a random Hadith or social-media post taken out of context. Reliable scholarship considers the Quran, authentic Sunnah, context, and the wider teachings of Islam together.
How Should Beginners Start Learning the Quran and Hadith?
Start with the basics: understand the Shahadah, learn how to pray properly, read a reliable translation of the Quran, and study the Prophet’s (peace be upon him) life and teachings from trustworthy sources. Learn gradually and ask questions whenever something troubles you.
You do not need to become a Hadith scholar to be a good Muslim. Allah asks you to worship Him sincerely, learn what you need step by step, treat people well, repent when you make mistakes, and continue seeking His guidance.
So keep learning without becoming overwhelmed. The purpose of knowledge is not to make religion confusing, but to bring you closer to Allah with understanding, confidence, and humility.
- May People Act According to a Weak Hadith?
- How to Deal with Strange Hadiths
- Does Rejecting Hadith Take You Out of Islam?
- Confused about Some Hadiths: Any Clarification?
- A Brief History of Hadith Methodology
- Important Tips for Verifying & Understanding Hadith
Almighty Allah knows best.
