Hadith is an Arabic word, which literally means statement, talk, story, conversation or communication. “Hadith is a talk and which may be brief or elaborated.” Technically Hadith means the narration of the sayings, doings or approvals (Taqrir) of Muhammad (SAW). Taqrir implies that someone did in front of the Muhammad (SAW) and the Muhammad (SAW) observed it and did not condemn it. It means that the person received the tacit approval of Muhammad (SAW) in connection with a particular action.The status and honour that Prophet Muhammad (SAW) holds in Islam goes same with Hadith. Hadith of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) occupies a very important place in Islam, and along with Quran it forms the primary source of the teaching of Islam in all matters of life. Hadith had a juridical importance; it has a place where it opens Quranic text of Hadith unveils teachings of Quran as authority of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) is next to the authority of God. Holy verses can only be understood in the light of Hadith. Hadith also forms the most important source of Islamic law after the Quran. Hadith contains a whole array of moral, social, commercial and personal matters. All reaches of public and private conduct may be found there, from cradle to grave, between which a man can come in contact with different activities of life and there he could find prophetic traditions as a source of his guidance and a source of his salvation in the Day of Judgment. Hadith provides us the information about how Prophet Muhammad (SAW) practically lived the life prescribed by Almighty Allah, thus provides us an inspiration to live our life as per Islamic rules and regulations.
All of the laws and orders enforced by the Messenger of Allah (SAW) are incumbent upon us to follow in the same way, as it is obligatory upon us to follow every Divine command that is transmitted to us by the Holy Qur’an, as the Messenger of Allah is indirectly the command of Allah the most Exalted.
Quran has also stressed on Muslims to follow Prophet Muhammad (SAW) by mentioning that “In Muhammad you have a best example” so we can say that Hadith runs parallel to the text of Quran. It is said that Quran is scent and Hadith opens it. Hadith forms an important part and parcel and inseparable entity in Islam without which whole Islamic system in vain. Almighty Allah says in Quran “O believers! Obey Allah and His messenger and turn not away from him after hearing him…”“And obey Allah and his Messenger and dispute not with one another, otherwise you will show timidity.” (Surah al-Anfal) “And we did not send any Messenger but that he should be obeyed by Allah’s will.” (Surah al-Nisa).It has been clearly established and proven from the above quoted verses from the Holy Quran that it is incumbent upon each and every Muslim to follow the Messenger of Allah, and his teachings.Therefore, all of the laws and orders enforced by the Messenger of Allah (SAW) are incumbent upon us to follow in the same way, as it is obligatory upon us to follow every Divine command that is transmitted to us by the Holy Qur’an, as the Messenger of Allah is indirectly the command of Allah the most Exalted.
