"He does not speak from his hawaa (desire); it is nothing except Wahee revealed to him." ( Quran 53:3-4)
In his Tafsir, ibn Kathir had the following to say:
"Allah said, (Nor does he speak of desire), asserting that nothing the Prophet utters is of his own desire or wish, (It is only a revelation revealed.), means, he only conveys to the people what he was commanded to convey, in its entirety without additions or deletions."
Hadith are the collected traditions of Prophet Muhammad(S.A.W.W) composed of sayings attributed to him(S.A.W.W) as well as his(S.A.W.W) actions in various situations. These are to serve as examples and guidelines for Muslim belief and practice. They are a very important part of Islam. It is important for one to understand that the sayings, sermons etc of Prophet Muhammad(S.A.W.W) were divinely inspired and the above ayah confirms this.
It is through hadith that we have answers to lots of questions about life after death, Heaven, Hell, Day of Judgment, how to perform prayer correctly, wudu etc etc. It is very important, however, to read and follow hadiths that are authentic and trustworthy, because there is a number of inaccurate hadiths, which people have fabricated, and a few are considered extremely weak. And after finding an authentic hadith it is important to follow it accordingly, because Allah(S.W.T) says in the Quran,
"And OBEY Allah and the messenger, that ye may find mercy" (Quran 3:132)
"And whatsoever the Messenger allows you to do, do it. And whatsoever he forbids, abstain (from it.)" (Quran 59:7)
For people who think that the Hadith is not necessary and can be ignored are in great ignorance. Such people then would not be able to pray either or perform ablution and many other things. Moreover, we should not exaggerate in allegorical interpretations of the Sunnah, and try to philosophize it, because Prophet Muhammad(S.A.W.W) did not intend that, rather he spoke in clear simple terms in order for people to be able to understand him, and be right in practicing their faith.
"Say: 'Obey Allah, and obey the Messenger. but if ye turn away, he is only responsible for the duty placed on him and ye for that placed on you. If ye obey him, ye shall be on right guidance. The Messenger's duty is only to preach the clear (Message)." (Quran 24:54)
"O ye who believe! Obey Allah and obey the Messenger and make not vain your deeds!" (Quran 47:33)
Ebrahim Saifuddin
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