Hadis
Also called: Hadith · Topic: Bhakti and Sufi Traditions · NCERT: Class 12, Ch 2 "Bhakti-Sufi Traditions"
Meaning
Hadis (also spelt hadith) are the traditions of the Prophet Muhammad. They are records of what he was remembered to have said and done, collected later by scholars. Together with the Qur'an, the hadis are the main base of the shari'a, the law that guides the Muslim community. Later, two more sources were added: qiyas (reasoning by analogy) and ijma (consensus of the community).
Example
Under the Delhi Sultanate (from the 13th century), the ulama (scholars of Islam) told Sultans to rule according to the shari'a, which is based on the Qur'an and hadis. But the Sultans ruled a mostly non-Muslim population, so they often turned to sufi saints for legitimacy instead.
Don't confuse with
- Qur'an: Muslims believe the Qur'an is the word of God revealed to the Prophet. The hadis record the Prophet's own sayings and actions.
- Hadith Qudsi and other special categories are beyond the exam's scope.
Related concepts
- Ulama
- Sharia
- Zimmi
- Five pillars of Islam
- Khojahs
- Ginan
- Mihrab
- Regional mosque architecture
- Turushka
- Yavana