Muslims look not just to the Qur'an, but to the ‘Hadith’ traditions concerning Muhammad’s words and actions passed down from very early times. Muhammad so impressed all who met him, that any of his sayings and actions became of decisive importance for later followers. It is this that gave the Hadith its importance.
Muslims differ as to the extent to which the Hadith can be interpreted. Many Muslims reject all historical criticism of the Hadith.
‘Sunna’ is an alternative word for Hadith and the former gave rise to ‘Sunnis’ – this main group of Muslims paid great attention to these sayings.
‘Sunna’ is an alternative word for Hadith and the former gave rise to ‘Sunnis’ – this main group of Muslims paid great attention to these sayings.
However the Hadith only became established by about 200 years after Muhammad’s death – prior to this there were ‘siras’ or stories about the Prophet’s life. The Hadith were formed gradually based on rigorous examination of the trustworthiness of those associated with particular stories and they way the stories fitted in to the Qu’ran.
There are six groups of Hadith – of which the one compiled by the Bukhari and Al-Muslim are the most reliable.
Sharia (Islamic law) depends heavily on the Hadith as well as on the Qu’ran.
After the death of the Prophet, many stories about him developed. The tales of his birth were enlarged by, for instance, the appearance of a heavenly light at his birth and ‘The Light of Muhammad’ became a focus for devotion from the 8th century onwards.
After the death of the Prophet, many stories about him developed. The tales of his birth were enlarged by, for instance, the appearance of a heavenly light at his birth and ‘The Light of Muhammad’ became a focus for devotion from the 8th century onwards.
His birthday began to be commemorated from the 12th century. Hundreds of hymns have been written to commemorate his birth.
Muhammad’s praise, sung by every being on earth, is echoed in every branch of Muslim poetry. Possibly the most famous birth hymn is the great Marhaba (‘Welcome’) written in 1410:. . . . . .
The status of the successors to Muhammad was not universally agreed and divisions about them has led to the largest split within Islam……
The status of the successors to Muhammad was not universally agreed and divisions about them has led to the largest split within Islam……
The first CALIPH (person acting in Muhammad’s place after his death) was Abu Bakr (632–634), one of the Prophet’s oldest companions and father of Muhammad’s wife, Aishah. Two years later he died.
The next successor Caliph was Umar ibn Khattab (634–644ce) and under him Islam expanded rapidly into other countries. Umar was murdered in 644ce.
The third Caliph was Uthman ibn Affan (644-656ce), a son in law of the prophet, next succeeded. However he was from a rival faction in Mecca and was murdered in Medina as the original supporters of the prophet did not accept him.
Ali ibn Abu Talib, Muhammad’s cousin and son in law (he had married Muhammad’s daughter, FATIMA), was chosen by the Medina community in 656ce. However Muawiyah, the governor of Syria, refused to recognise him and called himself the Caliph.
Ali ibn Abu Talib, Muhammad’s cousin and son in law (he had married Muhammad’s daughter, FATIMA), was chosen by the Medina community in 656ce. However Muawiyah, the governor of Syria, refused to recognise him and called himself the Caliph.
The Medina faction could not accept this as Muawiyah came from the tribe that had opposed Muhammad originally.
Ali agreed to submit the decision on the caliphate to arbitration.
BUT Ali was assassinated in 661 and Muawiyah kept power.
The division between SHI’I and SUNNI Muslims stem back to this time. The SHI’I are the supporters of Ali, They do not recognise the first three Caliphs.
The division between SHI’I and SUNNI Muslims stem back to this time. The SHI’I are the supporters of Ali, They do not recognise the first three Caliphs.
The Sunni consider that the first FOUR Caliphs (Ali was the fourth) were all ‘rightly guided’. Sunnis also accept the Caliphate of Muawiyah.
