Divisions of the Science of Hadith
The study of Hadith is primarily divided into two key categories: the first is the Science of Hadith Narration, which deals with the transmission of the sayings, actions, and narrations of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), ensuring precision in their wording and accuracy. The second is the Science of Hadith Understanding, which analyzes the conditions of the narrators, the criteria for narration, classifications, and related matters.
Authentic Prophetic Hadiths
Hadiths on Prayer
The Sunnah contains numerous authentic Hadiths that emphasize the significance of prayer. Among these are:
- It has been reported by Abdullah ibn Mas’ud that he asked the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him): “Which deeds are most beloved to Allah?” He replied: “Prayer performed on time.” Abdullah then asked: “What next?” He answered: “Kindness to parents.” Abdullah continued: “And what next?” He responded: “Jihad in the way of Allah.” The Prophet (peace be upon him) mentioned these, adding that if Abdullah had asked for more, he would have given him additional information.
- The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “Whoever performs ablution for prayer correctly and then walks to the obligatory prayer and prays with the congregation or in the mosque, Allah will forgive their sins.”
- The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) stated: “No Muslim who performs the obligatory purification and completes it will pray these five prayers, except that they will serve as expiation for what occurred between them.”
- He also said: “If there were a river at the door of one of you, and he were to wash himself in it five times a day, would any filth remain? They said: No, nothing would remain. He said: This is the example of the five prayers; Allah erases sins through them.”
- The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “If a Muslim performs ablution perfectly and offers a prayer, Allah will forgive him for what occurs between that prayer and the one that follows.”
- He stated: “Whoever prays the Fajr prayer is under the protection of Allah. Let not Allah seek anything from you, and if He does, He will throw them into the fire of Hell.”
- He further mentioned: “The five prayers and the Friday prayer serve as expiation for what occurs between them as long as one avoids major sins.”
Hadiths about the Mother
The prophetic tradition highlights the revered status of mothers and the importance of treating them with kindness and respect. Some notable Hadiths include:
- A man asked the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him): “O Messenger of Allah, who is most deserving of my good companionship?” He replied: “Your mother.” The man asked again: “Then who?” He said: “Your mother.” The man persisted: “Then who?” He again said: “Your mother.” The man then asked: “Then who?” The response was: “Then your father.”
- The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “May his nose be rubbed in the dust, may his nose be rubbed in the dust, may his nose be rubbed in the dust.” When asked who he meant, he replied: “Whoever attains one or both of his parents in old age and does not enter Paradise.”
- Abdullah ibn Mas’ud (may Allah be pleased with him) asked the Prophet (peace be upon him): “What deed is most beloved to Allah?” He replied: “Prayer on time.” Abdullah then inquired: “What is next?” The Prophet said: “Kindness to parents.” Abdullah again prompted: “What else?” He replied: “Jihad in the way of Allah,” assuring that if he had asked for more, the Prophet would have continued to list them.
- The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) declared: “The pleasure of Allah is in the pleasure of the parents, and the displeasure of Allah is in the displeasure of the parents.”
Hadiths on Disrespecting Parents
Numerous Hadiths in the prophetic tradition address the grave sin of disobeying parents. Key Hadiths include:
- The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) stated: “No one who is a transgressor, or a disobedient child, or an addict to alcohol, or a child born from illicit relations will enter Paradise.”
- He also said: “Allah curses anyone who curses their parents; He curses anyone who sacrifices to other than Allah; and He curses anyone who alters property boundaries.”
- The Prophet (peace be upon him) mentioned: “Three supplications are accepted: the supplication of the oppressed, the supplication of the traveler, and the supplication of a parent against their child.”
- It is reported from Anas ibn Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace be upon him) discussed the major sins, identifying: “Shirk (associating partners with Allah), killing a soul, and disobeying one’s parents.”
- The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) warned: “All sins may be delayed by Allah until the Day of Judgment, except for oppression and disobedience to one’s parents or severing family ties, as they are hastened for their perpetrators in this life before their death.”