HADITH BOOKS

How reliable are they?

Hadiths are sayings attributed to Prophet Muhammad more than 200 years after his death. They were collected against his will and many are full of contradictions and nonsense. Anybody who read a hadith knows that it starts with so-and-so (pbh-peace be upon him) heard from so-and-so (pbh) who heard from so-and-so (pbh) who heard the prophet said…. Why would anybody take so-and-so’s words against God’s words in the Quran which God calls “the best hadith.”

[39:23] GOD has revealed herein THE BEST HADITH; a book that is consistent…

The following funny anecdote submitted by sister Asiah/Singapore is a reminder of what can happen to the original message when it is passed through different sources.

The result of passing the message

Memo from General Manager to Manager:

Today at 11 o’clock there will be a total eclipse of the sun. This is when the sun disappears behind the moon for two minutes. As this is something that cannot be seen every day, time will be allowed for employees to view the eclipse in the car park. Staff should meet in the car park at ten to eleven, when I will deliver a short speech introducing the eclipse, and giving some background information. Safety goggles will be made available at a small cost.

Memo from Manager to Department Head:

Today at ten to eleven, all staff should meet in the car park. This will be followed by a total eclipse of the sun, which will disappear for two minutes. For a moderate cost, this will be made safe with goggles. The Director General will deliver a short speech

beforehand to give us all some background information. This is not something that can be seen every day.

Memo from Department Head to Floor Manager:

The Director General will today deliver a short speech to make the sun disappear for two minutes in the eclipse. This is something that cannot be seen every day, so staff will meet in the car park at ten or eleven. This will be safe, if you pay a moderate cost.

Memo From Floor Manager to Supervisor:

Ten or eleven staff is to go to the car park, where the Director General will eclipse the sun for two minutes. This doesn’t happen every day. It will be safe, but it will cost you.

Memo from Supervisor to staff:

Some staff will go to the car park today to see the Director general disappear. It is a pity this doesn’t happen every day.