Quran and Hadith

The Quran and Sunnah are collectively called the primary sources of Islamic legal
thinking. Quran is the basis of all though and action and legal thinking in Islam.
Usually, it provides fundamental rules of law making, and Sunnah provides the
details of these rules. Both Quran and Hadith support the use of Sunnah in legal
thinking, for example, the Quran says:
“And obey Allah, and obey the Messenger(S)”
The Prophet (S) himself highlighted the importance of Hadith by saying:
“Indeed, I have been given the book, and something like it along with it.”
Thus, the Hadith are intimately linked with the Quran. As a rule, Quran and
Sunnah cannot contradict each other. Instead, Sunnah supports the Quran either
by fully interpreting the Quranic teachings or by supplementing them.
1. For example, the Quran commands observance of the pillars of Islam:
“And establish regular prayer and pay the charity tax, and bow down your heads
with those who bow down”
Since none of the verses regarding prayers speaks about the timings, methods,
conditions or other details of Salah, we follow the Sunnah of the Prophet (S) and
learn how to pray as he taught us as he said:
“Pray as you see me praying”
Similarly, although Quran encourages Muslims to pay Zakat, it does not speak of
people not entitled to receive it, nor of the Nisaab on which Zakat is due. The
following Hadith of the Prophet (S) provides the details:
“No charity tax is due on property amounting to less than 5 Auqiya, and no charity
tax id due on fewer than 5 camels, and there is no charity tax on fewer than 5
Wasq”
Ahadith such as this formed the basis of the rules about Zakat in the religious laws
of Islam and legal experts give advice to Muslims on how Zakat should be payed.
2. In penal law related to theft the Quran says:
“As for the thief both male and female cut off their hands”
It is not explained how much of the hand, left or right, needs to be cut off? The
Prophet (S) explained this verse on theft by saying:
“The right hand up to the wrist is to be cut off”
This hadith provided clarity on the way a thief should be punished, when it was
not mentioned in the Quran.
2. The hours of fasting in the month of Ramadan are mentioned in this verse
of the Quran:
“And eat and drink until the white thread becomes distinct to you from black
thread of dawn”
The companions were confused by this verse and did not understand it. The
Prophet (S) interpreted it and explained it to them by saying:
“The white thread refers to day and black thread refers to night”
This way there the meaning of the verse became clear, and companions were able
to abide by it.
4. The Quran also provides guidance about the laws of inheritance. It talks about
how much the male and female will receive:
“God directs you concerning your children: to the male a portion to that of two
females”
A fundamental rule in this regard is not mentioned in the Quran, but a Hadith
commands:
“A Muslim may not inherit from a non-Muslim; nor may a non-Muslim inherit
from a Muslim”
This important instruction makes clear that when ties of religion are cut, ties of
inheritance are also cut, and so is vital at the occasion of inheritance.
These examples show that Hadith contain Tafseer which are in valuable guides to
key verses in the Quran, and help Muslims understand the words of their Creator
better. Thus the enable them to live their lives in accordance with the tenets of
Islam.