Muhammad and the Quran

Muhammad is the prophet and messenger of Islam, the religion that is based on the Quran, the sacred book revealed to him by God. Muslims believe that Muhammad is the final prophet and seal of the prophets, who brought the complete and perfect message of God to humanity. Some aspects of Muhammad’s life and teachings, and how it is reflected in the Quran.

Muhammad was born in Mecca, a city in Arabia, around the year 570 CE. He belonged to the Quraysh tribe, which was in charge of the Kaaba, the sacred shrine that housed hundreds of idols worshipped by the pagan Arabs. Muhammad was orphaned at a young age and raised by his grandfather and uncle. He was known for his honesty, integrity, and generosity. He earned the nickname al-Amin, meaning “the trustworthy”. He worked as a merchant and a shepherd, and married Khadija, a wealthy widow, when he was 25 years old.

Muhammad was dissatisfied with the idolatry and corruption of his society and often retreated to a cave in Mount Hira to meditate and seek guidance. When he was 40 years old, he received his first revelation from God through the angel Gabriel, who commanded him to recite: “Read in the name of your Lord who created – Created man from a clinging substance. Read, and your Lord is the most Generous – Who taught by the pen – Taught man that which he knew not.” (Quran 96:1-5) This marked the beginning of his prophethood and his mission to convey God’s message to his people.

The Quran is the word of God that was revealed to Muhammad over a period of 23 years, until his death in 632 CE. The Quran consists of 114 chapters (surahs) of varying lengths, containing verses (ayahs) that deal with various topics such as belief, worship, ethics, law, history, science, and more. The Quran is considered by Muslims to be a miracle, as it contains many proofs of its divine origin, such as its eloquence, coherence, consistency, accuracy, prophecies, and scientific facts. The Quran is also preserved in its original Arabic language, without any alteration or distortion.

The Quran is the primary source of guidance for Muslims, who believe that it contains everything they need to know about their faith and life. The Quran teaches Muslims to worship God alone, without any partners or intermediaries, and to follow His commands and avoid His prohibitions. The Quran also teaches Muslims to respect and honor all the prophets and messengers of God, including Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad. The Quran also teaches Muslims to be compassionate, merciful, just, honest, generous, and peaceful towards themselves and others.

One of the main themes of the Quran is tawhid, which means the oneness and uniqueness of God. The Quran affirms that God is the only creator, sustainer, and ruler of everything in existence. He has no equal or rival. He has no son or daughter. He has no partner or associate. He is the most high and the most near. He is the most merciful and the most just. He is the most powerful and the most wise. He is the most loving and the most forgiving. He is al-Wahid (the One), al-Ahad (the Unique), al-Samad (the Eternal), al-Qadir (the Able), al-Hakim (the Wise), al-Rahman (the Compassionate), al-Rahim (the Merciful), al-Ghaffar (the Forgiving), al-Wadud (the Loving) and many other beautiful names.

The Quran also invites people to reflect on God’s signs in themselves and in the universe around them. The Quran says: “Indeed, in the creation of the heavens and earth, and the alternation of the night and day are signs for those of understanding – Who remember God while standing or sitting or [lying] on their sides and give thought to the creation of the heavens and earth [saying], ‘Our Lord! You did not create this aimlessly; exalted are You [above such a thing]; then protect us from
the punishment of the Fire.'” (Quran 3:190-191)

Some examples of God’s signs in ourselves are our complex body systems, our senses, our emotions, our intellects, and our souls. The Quran says: “And within yourselves. Then will you not see?” (Quran 51:21) Some examples of God’s signs in the universe are the sun, moon, stars, planets, seasons, animals, plants, water cycles, and natural phenomena. The Quran says: “And it is He who spread out the earth and placed therein firmly set mountains and rivers; … And We placed therein gardens of palm trees and grapevines and caused to burst forth therefrom some springs – That they may eat of His fruit. And their hands have not produced it, so will they not be grateful?” (Quran 36:36-37)

The Quran also presents many stories and examples from past nations and peoples, such as the people of Noah, Lot, Shuaib, Hud, Salih, Jonah, Pharaoh, Moses, David, Solomon, Joseph, Job, Abraham, and others. These stories serve as lessons and reminders for the believers and the disbelievers. The Quran says: “There was certainly in their stories a lesson for those of understanding. Never was the Quran a narration 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.” (Quran 12:111)

The Quran also contains many prophecies and predictions that have been fulfilled or are yet to be fulfilled. Some examples are the victory of the Romans over the Persians (Quran 30:2-4), the conquest of Mecca by the Muslims (Quran 48:27), the preservation of the body of Pharaoh (Quran 10:92), the emergence of the Antichrist (Quran 18:83-101), the return of Jesus (Quran 43:61), the end of the world (Quran 81:1-29) and the Day of Judgment (Quran 75:1-40).

The Quran also contains many scientific facts that were unknown or unconfirmed at the time of its revelation but have been verified by modern discoveries and research. Some examples are the expansion of the universe (Quran 51:47), the big bang (Quran 21:30), the orbits of celestial bodies (Quran 21:33), the layers of the atmosphere (Quran 67:3), the formation of mountains (Quran 78:6-7), the origin of life from water (Quran 21:30), the development of the human embryo (Quran 23:12-14), the fingerprinting system (Quran 75:3-4) and many more.

The Quran is a book of guidance, wisdom, knowledge, and mercy for all those who seek God’s path. It is a book that challenges, inspires, enlightens, and transforms its readers. It is a book that speaks to every time and place, every situation and circumstance, every heart and mind. It is a book that invites people to believe in God, worship Him alone, to follow His prophets, obey His laws, seek His forgiveness, love His creation, strive for His pleasure, and to prepare for His meeting. It is a book that is a mercy for all mankind.

“Indeed, this Quran guides to that which is most suitable and gives good tidings to the believers who do righteous deeds that they will have a great reward.” (Quran 17:9)

Hadith

The Hadiths of Muhammad are the collections of sayings and deeds attributed to the Prophet of Islam. They are considered a source of guidance and authority for Muslims, along with the Quran and the Sunnah (the practice of the Prophet and his companions).

The Hadiths cover various aspects of the Islamic faith, law, ethics, and history. They provide insights into the life and teachings of Muhammad, as well as the context and circumstances of his revelations. They also illustrate how the early Muslim community understood and applied the Quranic principles.

There are many different collections of Hadiths, compiled by different scholars and schools of thought over the centuries. Some of the most famous and widely accepted ones are:

Sahih al-Bukhari: A collection of about 7,000 Hadiths compiled by Imam al-Bukhari (d. 870 CE), who spent 16 years traveling across the Muslim world to verify the authenticity and reliability of each narration. He applied strict criteria for selecting and grading the Hadiths, such as the chain of transmission (isnad), the character and memory of the narrators (rijal), and the consistency with the Quran and other Hadiths (mutawatir). He also arranged them into 97 books according to topics, such as prayer, fasting, pilgrimage, marriage, inheritance, etc.
Sahih Muslim: A collection of about 12,000 Hadiths compiled by Imam Muslim (d. 875 CE), who was a student of al-Bukhari and followed a similar methodology. He also divided his collection into books according to topics but with some differences from al-Bukhari. He also added some explanatory notes and comments on some Hadiths.
Sunan Abu Dawud: A collection of about 5,000 Hadiths compiled by Imam Abu Dawud (d. 888 CE), who focused on the legal aspects of the Hadiths. He categorized them into four sections: rituals, transactions, punishments, and manners. He also included some weak or disputed Hadiths for reference purposes.
Sunan al-Tirmidhi: A collection of about 4,000 Hadiths compiled by Imam al-Tirmidhi (d. 892 CE), who was also a student of al-Bukhari. He classified them into six sections: faith, knowledge, manners, rituals, transactions, and jihad. He also provided some information on the status and evaluation of each Hadith, such as sahih (authentic), hasan (good), da’if (weak), or gharib (rare).
Sunan al-Nasa’i: A collection of about 6,000 Hadiths compiled by Imam al-Nasa’i (d. 915 CE), who was a specialist in the science of Hadith criticism. He organized them into seven sections: rituals, transactions, marriage, divorce, bequests, oaths, and judgments. He also excluded some Hadiths that he considered to be fabricated or unreliable.
Sunan Ibn Majah: A collection of about 4,000 Hadiths compiled by Imam Ibn Majah (d. 887 CE), who was a contemporary of al-Bukhari and Muslim. He arranged them into nine sections: rituals, transactions, marriage, divorce, bequests, oaths, judgments, jihad, and manners. He also included some weak or controversial Hadiths for comparison purposes.

These six collections are collectively known as the Kutub al-Sittah (the Six Books) and are regarded as the most authentic and authoritative sources of Hadiths by Sunni Muslims. However, there are also other collections that are respected and followed by different sects or schools of thought within Islam, such as:

Muwatta Malik: A collection of about 1,800 Hadiths compiled by Imam Malik (d. 795 CE), one of the founders of the Maliki School of Jurisprudence. He based his collection on the practice of the people of Medina, where he lived and taught. He also included some opinions and rulings from other scholars and companions of Muhammad.
Musnad Ahmad: A collection of about 30,000 Hadiths compiled by Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal (d. 855 CE), who was one of the founders of the Hanbali School of Jurisprudence. He collected all the Hadiths that he could find from various sources and arranged them according to the names of the narrators.
Sunan al-Darimi: A collection of about 3,000 Hadiths compiled by Imam al-Darimi (d. 869 CE), who was a scholar of Hadith criticism. He categorized them into three sections: faith,
knowledge,
and manners.
He also commented on some Hadiths
and refuted some false or weak ones.
Sahih Ibn Khuzaymah: A collection of about 4,000 Hadiths compiled by Imam Ibn Khuzaymah (d. 923 CE), who was a scholar of Hadith criticism and theology. He aimed to collect only the most authentic and reliable Hadiths and rejected many that were accepted by other scholars. He also explained some of the meanings and implications of the Hadiths.
Sahih Ibn Hibban: A collection of about 18,000 Hadiths compiled by Imam Ibn Hibban (d. 965 CE), who was also a scholar of Hadith criticism and theology. He followed a similar approach as Ibn Khuzaymah but with some differences in criteria and classification. He also added some biographical information on the narrators of the Hadiths.
Al-Mustadrak: A collection of about 9,000 Hadiths compiled by Imam al-Hakim (d. 1014 CE), who was a scholar of Hadith criticism and history. He claimed to have collected all the Hadiths that met the standards of al-Bukhari and Muslims but were not included in their collections. He also included some Hadiths that they rejected, but he considered to be authentic.
Al-Muwatta: A collection of about 2,000 Hadiths compiled by Imam al-Shafi’i (d. 820 CE), one of the founders of the Shafi’i school of jurisprudence. He based his collection on the Muwatta Malik but with some modifications and additions. He also included some opinions and rulings from other scholars and companions of Muhammad.
Al-Musannaf: A collection of about 50,000 Hadiths compiled by Imam Abd al-Razzaq (d. 827 CE), who was a student of Malik and a teacher of al-Shafi’i. He collected all the Hadiths that he could find from various sources and arranged them according to topics, such as prayer, fasting, pilgrimage, etc.
Al-Sunan al-Kubra: A collection of about 22,000 Hadiths compiled by Imam al-Bayhaqi (d. 1066 CE), who was a student of al-Hakim and a follower of the Shafi’i school of jurisprudence. He organized them into ten sections: faith, knowledge, manners, rituals, transactions, punishments, jihad, history, virtues, and miracles. He also provided some information on the status and evaluation of each Hadith.
Al-Jami’ al-Saghir: A collection of about 10,000 Hadiths compiled by Imam al-Suyuti (d. 1505 CE), who was a scholar of Hadith criticism and history. He collected all the Hadiths that he considered to be authentic or good from various sources and arranged them alphabetically according to the first word of each narration.

These are some examples of the collections of Hadiths that are available for Muslims to study and follow. Each collection has its own merits and limitations, and none can claim to be comprehensive or flawless. Therefore, Muslims are advised to seek knowledge from multiple sources and compare them with the Quran and the Sunnah, as well as with reason and common sense.

The following is an English translation of one of the most famous and widely quoted Hadiths from Sahih al-Bukhari:

Narrated ‘Umar bin Al-Khattab: I heard Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) saying, “The reward of deeds depends upon the intentions and every person will get the reward according to what he has intended. So whoever emigrated for worldly benefits or for a woman to marry, his emigration was for what he emigrated for.” [Sahih al-Bukhari 1:1]