Muslim Tradition: Studies in Chronology, Provenance and Authorship of Early Hadith (Cambridge Studies in Islamic Civilization)

Cambridge Studies in Islamic Civilization

by G.H.A. Juynboll

In Muslim Tradition G. H. A. Juynboll undertakes a broad-ranging review of the closely linked questions of date, authorship and origin of hadiths, i.e. the traditions of the prophet. Hadiths, which record the sayings and deeds of the prophet Muhammad, are central to Islamic teaching and beliefs and command a respect in the Islamic world second only to the Qur'an. The question of when, how and where particular hadiths came into existence is basic to the understanding of the formative period of Islam. This statement of a sceptical position, which can be visualized as located between, on the one hand, the orthodox Muslim view and, on the other, that of Western scholars, uses all the rich material available and explores the possibilities it opens up. The book faces major issues and reaches conclusions which may provide a basis for future debate in which, it is hoped, both Muslim and Western scholars will participate.

Genres: Islam, Religion

288 pages, Paperback

First published July 14, 1983

Reviews

[Sagheer Afzal]

This book provided a concise and incisive confirmation of the work of Dr. Jonathon Brown in his brilliant book: 'Misquoting Muhammad'. Having read this book, I am now firmly convinced that the vast majority of Hadith are fake. As the author himself states in the final page of the book: 'It is mostly impossible to prove with uncontrovertible certainty that isnads (the chain of transmission) are not invented in their entireity.'

The author higlights a number of the main transmitters, Hafs bin Umar, Zuhri, Bishr, Abu Ishaq, Thabit, Anas and the eponymous Abu Hurayra whose narrations are in abundance and yet for someone reason his actual name seems to have been lost.

The authors higlights a fact that is not well-known. The collection of hadith started 200 years after the death of the Holy Prophet(PBUH) and it seems that the development of Islam and Hadith were simultaneous for hundreds of years. There are myraid reasons for this. The most obvious being that the Muslim clergy found that fabricating false hadith was a great way to control the laity. A more nefarious reason was money. Muhaddith; people who had memorised Hadith along with ther chains of narration were often renumerated for reciting Hadith which favoured the policies of the local ruler and denigrated his opponents.

Tragically, it seems that Hadith fabrication started very soon after the death of the Holy Prophet. Greedy people were eager to assume the mantle of Companion because they would recieve a stipend from the treasury, and as such often had to quote Hadith to support their claims. The most infamous being Abu Hurayra who only knew the Holy Prophet (PBUH) for the last three years of his life and yet founded a school, despite being widely regarded as a self-aggrandising peddlar of lies. Although Abu Hurayra was resposible the creation and proliferation Medina Hadith, other people very quickly followed suit.

Qadi's and Fuqha's found it convenient to forge isnads and create fake Hadith in order to give their dictums legitimacy. Thus creating a parallel Islam, which unfortunately is the one which most Muslims assume to be the real one.

I remember as a youth avidly reading books of Hadith in Luton library. I wish I could go back in time and stop myself. I would have told the younger version of myself. "Stick to reading the Quran. That's why is was revealed. To be read. Not revered."