Hadith Qudsi
Definition
Hadith Qudsi (Arabic: حدیث قدسی; Turkish: Kudsi Hadis) refers to a type of hadith (report or tradition) in Islam that holds a unique position as sayings in which the meanings are considered to be divinely revealed by God to the Prophet Muhammad, but the phrasing is formulated by the Prophet himself. The term “Qudsi” derives from the Arabic root [q-d-s], meaning “holy” or “sacred.” Such narrations are also known as Hadith Rabbani or Hadith Ilahi (both meaning “divine hadith”).
Etymology and Translation
- Arabic Etymology: Hadith (حديث; “report” or “narrative”) + Qudsi (قدسي; “holy” or “sacred”)
- Turkish Translation: Kudsi Hadis
Overview and Significance
Unlike Hadith Nabawi (Prophetic hadith), which are sayings of the Prophet Muhammad directly attributable to him without explicit divine revelation in their meanings, Hadith Qudsi are differentiated by their divine origin in meaning but human formulation in phrasing. In this way, Hadith Qudsi stands between the Qur’an—divine in both wording and meaning—and Hadith Nabawi.
An important distinction between Hadith Qudsi and the Qur’an is that Hadith Qudsi’s transmission is not traced back directly to God but rather through the Prophet Muhammad recounting God’s message. Consequently, the authenticity and reliability of Hadith Qudsi can vary more compared to the universally accepted Qur’an, with their credibility being examined and authenticated much like any other hadith corpus in Islamic tradition.
Practical Aspects
- Prayer: Hadith Qudsi is not utilized in daily prayers (Salah) unlike verses from the Qur’an.
- Extra-Quranic Revelation: They are considered as extra-Quranic revelations that offer spiritual and moral guidance beyond the Qur’an.
- Usage: Scholars and theologians often reference these sayings for deeper spiritual and ethical insights that are unstipulated in the Qur’an and Hadith Nabawi.
Key Characteristics
- Origin: The meanings originate from God.
- Expression: The formulations are phrased by Prophet Muhammad.
- Authorship: Considered as divine but without binding scriptural decree as the Qur’an.
- Authenticity: Varying authenticity, rigorously scrutinized through chains of transmission (Isnad).
Recommended Books for Further Studies
- Forty Hadith Qudsi by Ezzedin Ibrahim and Denys Johnson-Davies: A collection of selected Hadith Qudsi.
- An Introduction to Hadith by Abd al-Hadi Al-Fadli: Provides context and analysis on Hadith and their classification including Hadith Qudsi.
- Studies in Hadith Methodology and Literature by Muhammad Mustafa Azami: Offers scholarly methods to authenticate and interpret Hadith, with insights on Hadith Qudsi.
Takeaways and Conclusion
Hadith Qudsi holds a significant place in Islamic thought, bridging divine commands and prophetic sayings, and providing profound theological, ethical, and spiritual insights. While they bear divine meanings akin to revelations, the evenhanded examination of their authenticity ensures their credible stance within the corpus of Muslim scriptural and theological tradition. These sacred yet distinctly non-scriptural narrations enrich the tapestry of Islamic intellectual history and ethical discourse.
