Islamic Studies Courses in De Anza, Islamic Studies Courses in De Anza, Chabot, Ohlone, and Mission Chabot, Ohlone, and Mission

CollegesCollegesDesigned and Taught Designed and Taught

by by Hafiz M. K . Siddiqi, Ph.D.Hafiz M. K . Siddiqi, Ph.D.

Second Major Source of IslamSecond Major Source of Islam

Hadith or SunnahHadith or SunnahThe Tradition of ProphetThe Tradition of Prophet

Muhammad pbuhMuhammad pbuh

HadithHadith

Hadith, literal meaning: Communication, Hadith, literal meaning: Communication, story, modern, recent, message, Qur’an, story, modern, recent, message, Qur’an, historical or worldly conversation, secrethistorical or worldly conversation, secret

Use of the word Hadith in the Qur’an: Allah Use of the word Hadith in the Qur’an: Allah (God) has revealed the most beautiful (God) has revealed the most beautiful messagemessage in the form of a book. 39/23 in the form of a book. 39/23

Then leave me alone with such as reject Then leave me alone with such as reject this this Qur’anQur’an. 68/44. 68/44

And whenever you see people engaged in And whenever you see people engaged in vain discourse about our signs, turn away vain discourse about our signs, turn away from them until they begin a different from them until they begin a different conversationconversation. 6/68. 6/68

Has the Has the storystory of Moses reached you? 20/9 of Moses reached you? 20/9 When the Prophet confined a When the Prophet confined a secretsecret to to

one of his wives. 66/3one of his wives. 66/3 The prophet pbuh has used the word The prophet pbuh has used the word

Hadith in his sayings: He said: the best Hadith in his sayings: He said: the best religious communicationreligious communication is the book of is the book of Allah (Bukhari)Allah (Bukhari)

Prophet Muhammad said: May God forgive a Prophet Muhammad said: May God forgive a person who hears from us a Hadith, then he person who hears from us a Hadith, then he memorizes it, and conveys it to someone, for memorizes it, and conveys it to someone, for some recipient are more attentive than the some recipient are more attentive than the one who heard it. one who heard it. (Ahmad)(Ahmad)

Term meaning of Hadith: Sayings, actions Term meaning of Hadith: Sayings, actions andand approvals of Prophet Muhammad approvals of Prophet Muhammad pbuhpbuh

Sunnah, literal meaning: established Sunnah, literal meaning: established course of rule, mode of life, and line of course of rule, mode of life, and line of conduct.conduct.

Term meaning of Sunnah: Model Term meaning of Sunnah: Model behavior of Prophet Muhammad.behavior of Prophet Muhammad.

Sunnah also means: non-compulsory religious Sunnah also means: non-compulsory religious practice which Prophet himself performed practice which Prophet himself performed regularly, and instructed his followers to perform, regularly, and instructed his followers to perform, like Sunnah prayers.like Sunnah prayers.

Prophet’s status: 1. The expounder of the Holy Prophet’s status: 1. The expounder of the Holy Qur’an: Qur’an:

““We have revealed unto you the message We have revealed unto you the message (Qur’an) that you may explain clearly to the (Qur’an) that you may explain clearly to the humankind what is sent for them and that they humankind what is sent for them and that they may give thought”. 16/44, may give thought”. 16/44,

He did explain in words and actions the verses of He did explain in words and actions the verses of Qur’an. Qur’an.

2. The Prophet as a Legislator2. The Prophet as a Legislator

““He will make lawful for them all good He will make lawful for them all good things and prohibit for them all indecent things and prohibit for them all indecent things and will relieve them of their burden things and will relieve them of their burden and fetters which they used to wear” 7/157and fetters which they used to wear” 7/157

3. A role Model for Muslims: “Verily, in the 3. A role Model for Muslims: “Verily, in the Messenger of Allah you have a beautiful Messenger of Allah you have a beautiful model for anyone whose hope is in God model for anyone whose hope is in God and the Final Day and remembers God and the Final Day and remembers God more frequently” 33/21more frequently” 33/21

Three EssentialsThree Essentials

These three essentials combined in These three essentials combined in the person of Prophet Muhammad the person of Prophet Muhammad pbuh, lead to the inevitable pbuh, lead to the inevitable conclusion that Muslims must follow conclusion that Muslims must follow him in every walk of their life. It is the him in every walk of their life. It is the case with all the prophets and case with all the prophets and messengers pbut, let us refer to:4/64, messengers pbut, let us refer to:4/64, 3/32, 3/132, 4/80, 4/59,65, 59/73/32, 3/132, 4/80, 4/59,65, 59/7

The Methods of TeachingThe Methods of Teaching

1. Verbal: A. Prophet Muhammad pbuh, 1. Verbal: A. Prophet Muhammad pbuh, repeated himself 3 times to make the repeated himself 3 times to make the understanding and memorization easy, understanding and memorization easy,

B. He used to listen to what his B. He used to listen to what his companions had learned C. He provided companions had learned C. He provided for them training in the Qur’an and Sunnahfor them training in the Qur’an and Sunnah

D. He used to ask questions to discover D. He used to ask questions to discover the extent of their learning.the extent of their learning.

Written MethodWritten Method

2. Written Method: 1. He sent letters to: 2. Written Method: 1. He sent letters to:

A. Kings B. Rulers C. Leaders of tribes A. Kings B. Rulers C. Leaders of tribes

D. Muslim Governors 2. He gave dictation to his D. Muslim Governors 2. He gave dictation to his companions on: A. Daily important topics B. companions on: A. Daily important topics B. Answers to various questions Answers to various questions

C. Fulfilling a particular request of written C. Fulfilling a particular request of written guidelines by a delegation’s head or member 3. guidelines by a delegation’s head or member 3. His order to write his Friday sermon for Abu His order to write his Friday sermon for Abu Shah Yamani or Malik son of Huwayrath.Shah Yamani or Malik son of Huwayrath.

Teaching by DemonstrationTeaching by Demonstration

1. He taught his companions: A. How to 1. He taught his companions: A. How to perform Wudu (Ablution) Salah (Prayers) perform Wudu (Ablution) Salah (Prayers) and other important devotional deeds by and other important devotional deeds by practical demonstration B. He taught them practical demonstration B. He taught them how to design a marriage, employment, how to design a marriage, employment, and business cotract C. He taught them and business cotract C. He taught them how to perform the pilgrimage. He used to how to perform the pilgrimage. He used to say to them:” learn by observing him. say to them:” learn by observing him.

The diffusion of the SunnahThe diffusion of the Sunnah

Prophet Muhammad had taken measures to Prophet Muhammad had taken measures to diffuse his Sunnah by: 1. Establishing Islamic diffuse his Sunnah by: 1. Establishing Islamic Centers, Schools, and training Centers for the Centers, Schools, and training Centers for the teachers and preachers.teachers and preachers.

2. He used to say whenever he taught any thing: 2. He used to say whenever he taught any thing: “ Take from me to convey to others even if it is “ Take from me to convey to others even if it is one (Little) thing”. 3. He said in his Farewell one (Little) thing”. 3. He said in his Farewell pilgrimage: “those who are present should pilgrimage: “those who are present should convey the message to those who are absent”. convey the message to those who are absent”. (Bukhari). (Bukhari).

4. 4. He reminded the delegations on their He reminded the delegations on their departure to teach their people after departure to teach their people after

returning home, asreturning home, as a dutya duty

5. He created incentives for teachers and 5. He created incentives for teachers and students. He stated that learning and the students. He stated that learning and the pursuit of knowledge is obligatory on every pursuit of knowledge is obligatory on every Muslim (Ibn Majah). He had said: He who Muslim (Ibn Majah). He had said: He who conceals the knowledge is liable to go to conceals the knowledge is liable to go to hell (Ahmad) this fact is mentioned in the hell (Ahmad) this fact is mentioned in the Qur’an in 2/159, 174.Qur’an in 2/159, 174.

A.A. Rewards for the Students: He said if anyone Rewards for the Students: He said if anyone pursues a path in search of knowledge, Allah will pursues a path in search of knowledge, Allah will

thereby make easy for him a path to paradise, and thereby make easy for him a path to paradise, and the angels spread their wings from the good the angels spread their wings from the good

pleasure with one who seeks knowledge, and all pleasure with one who seeks knowledge, and all the inhabitants of the heaven and earth, even fish the inhabitants of the heaven and earth, even fish

in the depths of water ask forgiveness for him in the depths of water ask forgiveness for him (Ahmad)(Ahmad)

B. Rewards for the teachers: He said: B. Rewards for the teachers: He said: “When a person dies, his acts come to an “When a person dies, his acts come to an end except for three things; 1. Sadaqah end except for three things; 1. Sadaqah Jariyah 2. Beneficial knowledge 3. Pious Jariyah 2. Beneficial knowledge 3. Pious offspring.offspring.

C. Threat of Punishment: Those who C. Threat of Punishment: Those who refused to educate themselves were told by refused to educate themselves were told by the Qur’an: “Had we but listened or used our the Qur’an: “Had we but listened or used our

intelligence, we should not be among the intelligence, we should not be among the companions of the blazing fire. 67/10companions of the blazing fire. 67/10

Prophet Muhammad pbuh said: the peopleProphet Muhammad pbuh said: the people

will only be rewarded for the actions they will only be rewarded for the actions they have performed with full use of intellectual have performed with full use of intellectual understanding.understanding.

How did the companions received How did the companions received the Sunnah?the Sunnah?

It was very warmly received by the It was very warmly received by the companions of Prophet pbuh, it was companions of Prophet pbuh, it was practiced by them immediately. They had practiced by them immediately. They had learned Hadith/Sunnah through all three learned Hadith/Sunnah through all three following methods: 1.Memorization: They following methods: 1.Memorization: They used to listen to every word with utmost used to listen to every word with utmost importance. They attended the teaching importance. They attended the teaching circles of Qur’an and Sunnah in shifts and circles of Qur’an and Sunnah in shifts and turn by turn. They used to memorize in turn by turn. They used to memorize in group.group.

2. Learning through writing2. Learning through writing

There were good number of companions There were good number of companions who learned by writing the Hadith/Sunnah.who learned by writing the Hadith/Sunnah.

3. Practicing the Sunnah: they practiced 3. Practicing the Sunnah: they practiced what ever they learned through 2 methods what ever they learned through 2 methods mentioned above: memorization and mentioned above: memorization and writing.writing.

Islamic teachings are not merely for Islamic teachings are not merely for knowledge, but it has to be practiced. Ibn knowledge, but it has to be practiced. Ibn Umar learned Suratul Baqarah in 10 Umar learned Suratul Baqarah in 10 yearsyears..

Official PatronageOfficial Patronage

In the lifetime of Prophet pbuh, he founded In the lifetime of Prophet pbuh, he founded training centers for Qur’an and Hadith in training centers for Qur’an and Hadith in both Makkah and Madinah.both Makkah and Madinah.

The Caliphs especially first four made sure The Caliphs especially first four made sure that there are enough schools, institutions that there are enough schools, institutions and training centers everywhere in the and training centers everywhere in the Muslim world. They also appointed Muslim world. They also appointed inspectors to visit them and report back to inspectors to visit them and report back to Caliph. Caliph.

Non-Official PatronageNon-Official Patronage

The companions of Prophet may be The companions of Prophet may be divided into two groups: 1. Joined these divided into two groups: 1. Joined these Institutions as teachers 2. Became source Institutions as teachers 2. Became source individuals ready to travel anywhere as individuals ready to travel anywhere as and when required to teach short term and when required to teach short term courses or give lectures and seminars. As courses or give lectures and seminars. As a result, Islam reached within 25 years of a result, Islam reached within 25 years of the death of Prophet to as far as Russia the death of Prophet to as far as Russia and Afghanistan.and Afghanistan.

Famous Narrators of Hadith who Famous Narrators of Hadith who used to spend 1/3used to spend 1/3rdrd of night in of night in

recording the Hadithrecording the Hadith Abu Huraira 1236,Ibn ‘Umar 2630, Ibn Abu Huraira 1236,Ibn ‘Umar 2630, Ibn

Malik 2286, Ayesh 2210, Ibn ‘Abbas1660,Malik 2286, Ayesh 2210, Ibn ‘Abbas1660, J. Ibn Abdullah 1540, A.S. Al-Khudary J. Ibn Abdullah 1540, A.S. Al-Khudary

1170, Ibn Masood 748, A.A. Ibn ‘As 700, 1170, Ibn Masood 748, A.A. Ibn ‘As 700, ‘Umar Farooq 537, Ali Ibn Abi Talib ‘Umar Farooq 537, Ali Ibn Abi Talib 536,Ibn ‘Azib 305536,Ibn ‘Azib 305

Six Most Authentic BooksSix Most Authentic Books

1. Bukhari1. Bukhari 2. Muslim2. Muslim 3. Tirmidhi3. Tirmidhi 4. Abu Dawud4. Abu Dawud 5. Ibn Majah5. Ibn Majah 6.Nasa’I6.Nasa’I Hadith: Sanad/Isnad, Matn, Darajah Hadith: Sanad/Isnad, Matn, Darajah

Classification of HadithClassification of Hadith

Qudsi: Gods message in Prophets wordsQudsi: Gods message in Prophets words Mutawatir: Continuously narrated by a Mutawatir: Continuously narrated by a

large number of peoplelarge number of people Sahih: Most authentic with perfect chain of Sahih: Most authentic with perfect chain of

Narrators reaching the ProphetNarrators reaching the Prophet Muttasil: Re ported by successive Muttasil: Re ported by successive

narratorsnarrators Daeef: Weak due to defective IsnadDaeef: Weak due to defective Isnad

Examination of HadithExamination of Hadith

There are basic rules, regulations and There are basic rules, regulations and principles for scrutinizing the Hadith:principles for scrutinizing the Hadith:

The following were rejected: 1. Illogical The following were rejected: 1. Illogical

2. Contrary to Islamic principles 2. Contrary to Islamic principles

3. Contrary to the realities 4. Contrary to 3. Contrary to the realities 4. Contrary to Qur’an 5. Contrary to Mutawatir HadithQur’an 5. Contrary to Mutawatir Hadith

6. Contrary to consensus 7. like a fairy tale 6. Contrary to consensus 7. like a fairy tale

and many more.and many more.

Sample Hadith and true stories Sample Hadith and true stories

Story of Huququl-’IbadStory of Huququl-’IbadStory of a youth’s questionStory of a youth’s questionStory of 3 travelers Story of 3 travelers Story of trial of three people Story of trial of three people

and many more.and many more.