Could you please inform what is the academic status of these two Hadiths:
1. I am leaving behind two things: the Book of Allah and the Sunnat
2. I am leaving behind two things: the Book of Allah and the Ahlu Bayt
Outwardly there seems to be a contradiction, please enlighten.
Answer
The first Hadith: ‘I am leaving behind two things the Book of Allah and the Sunnah’ is reported by:
- Imam Malik (rahimahullah) in his Muwatta (balaghan). (Muwatta Imam Malik, 1601)
- Imam Hakim (rahimahullah) in Al Mustadrak. (Mustadrak Hakim, vol. 1 pg. 93)
The exact words are:
تركت فيكم أمرين لن تضلوا ما مسكتم بهما كتاب الله وسنة نبيه
Translation
I have left behind two things, you will never go astray as long as you hold fast onto them ie. the Quran and Sunnah.
The second Hadith: ‘I am leaving behind two things the book of Allah and the Ahlu Bayt’ is reported by Imam Muslim (rahimahullah). (Sahih Muslim, Hadith: 2408)
The exacts words are:
و أنا تارك فيكم ثقلين:أولهما كتاب الله فيه الهدى و النور فخذوا بكتاب الله واستمسكوا به فحث على كتاب الله و رغب فيه ثم قال و أهل بيتي أذكركم الله في أهل بيتي أذكركم الله في أهل بيتي أذكركم الله في أهل بيتي.. الي آخر الرواية
Translation
I am leaving behind two heavy things, the first is the Quran, in it is guidance and light, so hold firmly onto the Quran, then Nabi (sallalahu alayhi wa sallam) encouraged and motivated (towards reciting and taking care of the Quran) , and the second thing is the Ahlu Bayt, I am reminding you about the Ahlu Bayt, Nabi (sallalahu alayhi wa sallam) repeated this thrice
The Muhaddithun don’t regard issues like these as a contradiction, rather it is an addition, showing us the importance of Quran, Sunnah and the Ahlu Bayt
And Allah Ta’ala knows best
Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala
Approved by : Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar
Checked by: Moulana Haroon Abasoomar