Hadith vs. Quran — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 30, 2023
The Hadith is a collection of sayings and actions of Prophet Muhammad, while the Quran is the central religious text of Islam, believed to be the word of God.
Difference Between Hadith and Quran
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
The Quran is considered the verbatim word of God (Allah) as revealed to Prophet Muhammad by the archangel Gabriel. It is the fundamental text of Islam, offering guidance on all aspects of life and law for Muslims. The Quran is written in Arabic and is divided into chapters called surahs, which are further divided into verses known as ayahs. It is recited in prayers and studied for moral and spiritual guidance.
The Hadith, in contrast, is a compilation of the sayings, actions, and approvals of Prophet Muhammad. It provides context and practical examples of how to implement Quranic teachings. The Hadith literature is vast, with collections categorized based on their level of authenticity, ranging from sahih (authentic) to da’if (weak). Scholars use rigorous criteria to evaluate the reliability of Hadiths.
While the Quran is a single, unaltered text, the Hadith consists of many collections compiled by different scholars over centuries. The Quran is unique in its importance as it is considered the direct word of God, immutable and eternal. The Hadith, however, is subject to scholarly interpretation and discussion due to the various accounts and the context in which they were reported.
Muslims turn to the Quran for the foundation of their faith, as it covers topics ranging from worship and wisdom to law and morality. The Hadith complements the Quran by offering insights into its practical application. Together, they form the Sunnah, the way of life prescribed as normative in Islam on the basis of the teachings and practices of the Islamic prophet Muhammad and interpretations of the Quran.
Each has a distinct role in Islamic teachings: the Quran is for recitation, memorization, and as the ultimate authority in Islamic law and theology, while Hadiths are referenced for guidance on specific situations not explicitly covered by the Quran. Both are critical to understanding Islamic law – Sharia – and are studied by Muslims around the world.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Sayings and actions of Prophet Muhammad
The word of God as revealed to Prophet Muhammad
Authenticity
Varies, with different levels of acceptance
Considered absolute and unquestionable
Composition
Compiled by scholars over time
A single, consistent text
Purpose
Provide context and examples for Quranic teachings
Foundation of Islamic faith and law
Language
Primarily Arabic, with translations available
Arabic only, with interpretations available
Compare with Definitions
Hadith
The Hadith narrates the Prophet's life.
One Hadith teaches the importance of honesty.
Quran
The Quran is considered God's word.
The Quran's recitation is an act of worship.
Hadith
Hadiths guide Islamic law.
Jurists refer to Hadith for Sharia rulings.
Quran
The Quran provides guidance for Muslims.
The Quran addresses both spiritual and worldly matters.
Hadith
Hadiths are sayings of the Prophet.
The Hadith about kindness to animals is well-loved by Muslims.
Quran
The Quran is Islam's holy scripture.
They recite the Quran during Ramadan.
Hadith
Hadiths are used in Islamic education.
His sermon included a Hadith on charity.
Quran
The Quran is recited in prayers.
Reciting the Quran is part of her daily routine.
Hadith
Ḥadīth ( or ; Arabic: حديث ḥadīṯ Arabic pronunciation: [ħadiːθ], pl. aḥādīth, أحاديث, ʾaḥādīṯ, Arabic pronunciation: [ʔaħadiːθ], literally means "talk" or "discourse") or Athar (Arabic: أثر, ʾAṯar, literally means "tradition") in Islam refers to what the majority of Muslims believe to be a record of the words, actions, and the silent approval of the Islamic prophet Muhammad.
Quran
The Quran lays down Islamic morality.
The Quran promotes justice and compassion.
Hadith
A report of the sayings or actions of Muhammad or his companions, together with the tradition of its chain of transmission.
Quran
The Quran (, kor-AHN; Arabic: القرآن, romanized: al-Qurʼān, lit. 'the recitation', Arabic pronunciation: [alqurˈʔaːn]) (also romanized Qur'an or Koran,) is the central religious text of Islam, believed by Muslims to be a revelation from God (Allah). It is widely regarded as the finest work in classical Arabic literature.
Hadith
The collective body of these traditions.
Quran
The sacred text of Islam, considered by Muslims to contain the revelations of God to Muhammad.
Hadith
See Sunna.
Quran
Variants of Koran.
Hadith
An eyewitness account of a saying or action of Muhammad or sometimes one of his companions not otherwise found in the Quran.
In addition to the Quran, many Muslims also look to the hadiths for moral and spiritual guidance in their daily lives.
There are four main Shia books of hadith and six main Sunni books of hadith.
Quran
See Koran.
Hadith
A particular accepted collection of such accounts, as from a single source or within a particular branch of Islam or Islamic jurisprudence.
Quran
The sacred writings of Islam revealed by God to the prophet Muhammad during his life at Mecca and Medina
Hadith
(Islam) a tradition based on reports of the sayings and activities of Muhammad and his companions
Hadith
(Islam) the way of life prescribed as normative for Muslims on the basis of the teachings and practices of Muhammad and interpretations of the Koran
Hadith
Hadiths complement the Quran.
She studied Hadiths to better understand Islamic practices.
Common Curiosities
What is the Hadith?
The Hadith is a collection of sayings, actions, and approvals of the Prophet Muhammad.
Who compiled the Hadith?
Various Islamic scholars compiled Hadith collections, including Imam Bukhari and Imam Muslim.
Is the Quran read in a language other than Arabic?
The Quran is recited in Arabic, but translations are available for understanding.
What is the Quran?
The Quran is the central religious text of Islam, believed to be the word of God.
Are the Hadith and Quran in agreement?
The Hadith and Quran are in agreement when the Hadith is authentic and properly understood.
Are all Hadiths considered true?
Hadiths are scrutinized for authenticity and not all are considered true.
What does it mean when a Hadith is sahih?
Sahih means the Hadith is considered authentic based on its chain of narration and content.
How is the Hadith different from the Quran?
The Hadith is a record of the Prophet's teachings and actions, whereas the Quran is the literal word of God.
Can the Hadith contradict the Quran?
Authentic Hadiths do not contradict the Quran; they provide clarification and context.
What is the most important Hadith book?
Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim are among the most important and authentic Hadith books.
How was the Quran compiled?
The Quran was compiled into a single text shortly after the death of the Prophet Muhammad.
Do Muslims consider the Hadith a holy book?
The Hadith is revered but not considered a holy book like the Quran.
Why is the Quran unchanged?
Muslims believe the Quran is preserved in its original form as it is
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
