Dr. Mufti Syed Ziauddin Naqshbandi Mujaddidi Qadri
Shaykh Ul Fiqh, Jamia Nizamia; Founder - Director
Abul Hasanaat Islamic Research Center
Abul Hasanaat Islamic Research Center
The Holy Quran is that divine book which Allah revealed to the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam). There is a Hadith in Sahih Bukhari:
Translation: Hadhrat ‘Uthman (May Allah be well pleased with him) narrates from the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) that He (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said: The best among you is the one who learns the Holy Quran and teaches it. (Sahih Bukhari, Hadith No. 5027)
There are many Hadith which express the excellence and magnificence of the Hafidh of the Holy Quran. The famous Hadith-expert of the 10th century, Imam Ali Muttaqi Hindi (May Allah shower His mercy on him) has mentioned many Hadith in his classic Kanz Ul Ummal.
Translation of Hadith: A Hafidh is the standard-bearer of Islam. Verily the person who respects him respects Allah and whoever disrespects him, Allah curses that person. (Kanz Ul Ummal, Hadith No. 2294)
There is a Hadith in Musnad Imam Ahmad Bin Hambal:
Translation: Hadhrat Abdullah Bin ‘Umar (May Allah be well pleased with them) narrates from the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) that He (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said: It will be told to the Hafidh of Quran: Keep reciting the Holy Quran and ascend grade by grade and recite it as it ought to be recited the way you recited in the world, as your final status will be as per the last verse which you recite. (Musnad Ahmed, Hadith No. 6508)
Blessings of acquiring knowledge of Hadith
The utterances of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) do have a legal status. Every word and action of His is a part of the Shariah. The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) has said the following supplication for those who serve the cause of Hadith, as given in Sunan Ibn Majah:
Translation: It has been narrated on the authority of Hadhrat Abdul Rahman Bin ‘Abdullah (May Allah be well pleased with him) who narrates from his father that the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said: May Allah keep that person happy who listens to any Hadith of ours and conveys it to others. (Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadith No: 238)
Those who serve Hadith have this special honor that the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) has declared them as His caliphs and successors.
It is mentioned in the Hadith:
Translation: It has been narrated on the authority of Hadhrat ‘Ali (May Allah be well pleased with him) that the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) came to us and said the following 3 times:
Oh Allah! Have mercy on my successors!
The companions asked: O Prophet of Allah (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam)! Who are your successors? The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) replied: My successors are those who will come after me and narrate my Hadith and acquaint people with them. (Kanz Ul Ummaal, Hadith No: 29488)
Glad tidings of intercession on memorizing #40 Hadith
The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) has given glad tidings to those who memorize #40 Hadith. As given in this Hadith recorded by Imam Jalaaluddin Suyuti (May Allah shower His mercy on him):
Translation: It has been narrated on the authority of Hadhrat Abdullah Bin Abbas (May Allah be well pleased with them) that the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said: Whosoever from my Ummah learns #40 Hadith, then in Qiyamah, I will be his (or her) intercessor and I will testify to his (or her) faith in the court of Allah. (Jame’ Ul Ahadith Wal Maraseel Hadith No: 22048)
A similar narration has been recorded by Hadhrat Imam Baihaqui in Shu‘abul Iman:
Translation: It has been narrated on the authority of Hadhrat Abu Hurairah (May Allah be well pleased with him), he says that the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said: Whosoever from my Ummah memorizes #40 Hadith which would benefit them in matters of religion, then this person will be resurrected among the scholars on the Day of Resurrection. An A’alim (scholar) is 70 degrees superior to an A’abid (one who engages in worship). Only Allah knows the difference between these degrees. (Shu‘abul Iman, Hadith No: 1684)
Blessings of learning Fiqh
The knowledge of Fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence) is not a new thing. On the contrary, it is essence of the Holy Quran and Hadith and it is the name given to the understanding of religion. It is necessary for every Muslim. Almighty Allah says:
Translation: That they may acquire deeper knowledge (i.e. thorough understanding and insight) of Din (Religion). Surah Tauba (09: 122)
Allah grants the knowledge of Fiqh to only those servants for whom He wishes well. As there is Hadith of Sahih Bukhari:
Translation: The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said: The person whom Allah wishes well is granted understanding of religion and there is nothing contrary to the fact that I am the one who disburses and Allah is the One who grants. (Sahih Bukhari, Hadith No: 71)