Hadith facts for kids
A hadith (pronounced "ha-DEETH") is a story or report about the life of Muhammad, who is the main prophet in Islam. It tells us what he said, did, or approved of. The word "hadith" can mean one story or many stories. In Arabic, the plural is a-HAA-deeth.
Muslims use hadith along with the Quran to understand Sharia, which are Islamic laws and guidance. Different groups of Muslims follow different collections of hadith. For example, Sunnis mainly follow the kutub al-Sittah, while Shias follow the Kutub al-Arba'a. A companion of Muhammad named Abu Hurairah is known for telling the most Sunni hadith stories.
What Are Hadith?
Hadith are like important records that help Muslims learn more about how to live their lives according to Islamic teachings. They give details and examples that are not always found in the Quran. Think of them as a guide to understanding Muhammad's way of life, also known as the Sunnah.
History of Hadith
After Prophet Muhammad passed away, Muslim scholars started collecting and writing down stories about his life. These stories included things he said, actions he took, and even things he saw others do and approved of.
Many of these stories were first passed down by word of mouth, from one person to another, before they were written. Because of this, scholars had to work very carefully. They compared different versions of the same story to make sure they were accurate. They also checked who told each story, tracing it back to the original source. This careful study helped them decide which hadith were most likely to be true and reliable records of Muhammad's life.
Muslim scholars gathered all these hadith into large books. They wanted to make sure that the teachings of Islam, which they believe are complete, were preserved correctly. The Sunnah (Muhammad's words and actions) is seen as a very important source of guidance for Muslims, right alongside the Quran.
Images for kids
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Imam Nawawi's Forty Hadith being taught in the Mosque-Madrassa of Sultan Hassan in Cairo, Egypt.
