Hadiths as a political tool (tl;dr included)
I have been asked to put my posts into textual format in addition to sharing them as pictures. I will do so with all my posts once they are transmitted in a satisfactory manner. As one of them is finished, I will share it with you now! (tl;dr included)
Framework: Foundations of conflict between Hadith and The Qur’an, The historical evolution of Hadith literature highlighting the political manipulation of the time, aiming to define the frames of divine revelation & criteria for universality, personal conclusions, thoughts and takeaways
Before proceeding please note: My personal view on the use of Hadiths is not to send the literature into oblivion. I think such an approach is an aimless attempt.
Rather, we should focus on raising awareness of their role in political manipulation throughout history and find more constructive ways to engage with them.
We should encourage critical thinking and challenge authoritarian Hadith- based rulings that contradict Qur’anic justice.
We should expose political narratives in religious discourse, highlighting how Hadiths have been and can be used for manipulation.
Lastly, we must promote responsible use of Social Media by urging people to question the authenticity of viral religious claims before sharing them.
TL;DR
Foundations of Conflict: The Qur’an promotes justice, equality, and freedom of belief, while many Hadiths reinforce male dominance and obedience to rulers, often serving political agendas.
Historical Evolution: Over centuries, Hadiths have been used to justify political control, misogyny, and authoritarianism, from the 7th century to the modern era.
Modern Use: Social media amplifies misogynistic Hadiths, reinforcing patriarchy and gender oppression, as seen with groups like the Taliban and governments like Iran.
Qur’an vs. Hadith: The Qur’an provides universal ethical guidelines applicable across time, while many Hadiths reflect specific historical contexts, promoting patriarchal norms and legal rigidity.
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Hadiths as a Political Tool: A Historical and Modern Approach
This analysis examines how Hadiths, originally part of the oral tradition of Islam, evolved into tools of political control, particularly in the context of reinforcing patriarchal structures.
I explore the historical development of Hadith literature, its influence on political governance, and the modern usage of Hadiths to justify misogynistic, patriarchal and authoritarian practices.
In comparison, we assess the Qur’an’s consistent ethical framework, which contrasts with the evolving and often politically motivated Hadith narratives.
I. Foundations of Conflict
At the core of Islamic tradition lie the Qur’an and Hadith, both of which shape Islamic law and morality. However, these two sources often diverge in their application of justice, equality, and governance.
To understand the differences, I have highlighted some of the main principles of the Qur’an and compared them in contrast with Hadith literature.
Qur’anic Principles:
Justice and Equality: The Qur’an promotes equality, stating that all people are equal in the sight of Allah based on their righteousness (4:135, 49:13).
No Compulsion in Religion: The Qur’an prohibits forced conversion, emphasizing freedom of belief (2:256).
Shura (Consultative Governance): The Qur’an supports governance through consultation and justice (42:38).
War for Self-Defense: The Qur’an mandates fighting only in self-defense and for the protection of religious freedom (2:190-193).
Contrasting Hadiths:
Misogyny and Male Superiority: Several Hadiths reinforce male dominance, such as “Women are deficient in intellect” (Bukhari 304).
Religious Control and Authoritarianism: Hadiths such as “Obey the ruler, even if unjust” (Muslim 1847) and “I have been commanded to fight the people until they testify there is no god but Allah” (Bukhari 25) promote blind obedience to rulers and the justification of aggressive military expansions.
Main takeaway:
The Qur’an offers a universal and just ethical framework that emphasizes equality, justice, and rationality. In contrast, the Hadiths, particularly those that became prominent in later centuries, were shaped to serve the needs of political and social contexts, reinforcing male supremacy and authoritarian control.
II. The Historical Evolution of Hadiths
The development of Hadith literature over the centuries highlights its political manipulation;
~7th Century: Caliph Umar ibn al-Khattab forbade the collection of Hadiths to preserve the purity of the Qur’an and prevent its distortion.
~8th Century: The Abbasid dynasty began promoting Hadiths to justify obedience to rulers and military expansion, notably through the use of Hadiths related to jihad.
~9th Century: Hadiths began reinforcing subjugation of women, with narratives such as women being “deficient in intellect” and laws on apostasy becoming prominent.
~12th-14th Century (Sunni Orthodoxy): A period of anti-rationalism saw a suppression of philosophy and dissent, reinforcing patriarchal norms and authoritarianism.
~19th Century (Colonialism and Reform Movements): The use of Hadiths became more selective, with some used to resist colonial powers, while others were co-opted to support compliance.
~20th Century (Wahhabi Influence): The rise of Wahhabism further entrenched rigid gender roles and extreme punishments as methods of controlling social order.
21st Century (Modern extremism and Social Media): In recent years, certain Hadiths have been amplified online to enforce patriarchal norms, particularly through the enforcement of veiling and restrictions on women’s mobility.
III. Hadith in the Last Decade: The Rise of Digital Patriarchy
Social Media & Misuse of Hadiths: Social media platforms have become significant tools for spreading misogynistic Hadiths, such as “A woman should not travel without a mahram” (Bukhari 3006), which restricts women’s autonomy.
Political Islam & Gender Oppression: Taliban (2021-present): The Taliban uses Hadiths like “A nation led by a woman will never prosper” (Bukhari 4425) to justify their oppression of women.
Marital Rape Laws: Pakistan & Gulf states do not recognise rape in marital relations using Hadiths such as said, “If a man calls his wife to his bed and she refuses, and he spends the night angry with her, the angels curse her until morning.” (Bukhari, 3237) to justify sexual violence in marriages.
Iran (2022 Hijab Protests): The Iranian government has cracked down on women, using Hadiths to justify mandatory veiling laws.
Honor-Based Oppression: Pakistan (2023): Honor killings are justified by Hadiths such as “A man will not be questioned for beating his wife” (Abu Dawood 2142).
Middle East (2020s): Digital surveillance of women is justified using Hadiths that restrict women’s movement.
IV. The Qur’an and Hadith: Criteria for Universality
The Qur’an and Hadith form the twin foundations of Islamic thought and practice, yet their roles and applicability differ significantly.
While some Hadiths align with the Qur’anic principles of justice and ethical guidance, many reflect the patriarchal structures and social norms of early Islamic society.
This raises critical questions: To what extent should Hadith influence contemporary Islamic thought? How do we differentiate between timeless prophetic wisdom and context-specific traditions?
By exploring these issues, this section seeks to distinguish between the Qur’an’s universal moral vision and the Hadith’s historical contingency, offering a framework for a more just and dynamic understanding of Islam in the modern world:
Qur’an;
The Qur’an is seen as a direct revelation from Allah, this can be seen in its universality;
Adaptability: Its principles, such as justice and equality, are universally applicable across time and societies.
Gender Equality: The Qur’an promotes equality, emphasizing the spiritual parity of men and women (49:13).
Legal Flexibility: The Qur’an provides broad ethical guidelines that allow for adaptation to different societies.
Hadith;
Hadiths are sayings attributed to the Prophet Muhammad and were not divinely revealed. This can be distinguished simply by comparing their universality to the Qur’an;
Adaptability: Many Hadiths are rooted in specific historical and cultural contexts and do not adapt easily to modern ethical standards.
Gender Equality: Many Hadiths promote male superiority and reinforce patriarchal norms.
Legal Flexibility: Many Hadiths are rigid and codified into legal rulings that restrict social flexibility.
V. Conclusion: The Qur’an as a Source of Justice and Equality
While the Qur’an embodies universal principles of justice, equality, and rationality, Hadiths, especially those that emerged in later centuries, reflect human intervention and political agendas. These Hadiths have often been used to justify oppressive and patriarchal practices, undermining the egalitarian spirit of early Islam.
Final Thoughts:
The evolution of hadiths reflects the political, social, and economic conditions of their times. From early resistance to written traditions to their later use as tools of political legitimacy and social control, hadith development was deeply shaped by historical power struggles.
For Islam to return to its core values of justice, equality, and intellectual growth, it must re-evaluate the centrality of Hadith-based laws and focus on the Qur’an as the primary source of divine guidance.
This examination challenges the historical manipulation of Hadiths for political purposes and urges a reassertion of the Qur’an’s ethical framework as the foundation for future Islamic practice and governance.
“The fabricated hadith is the least recognized hadith in Islam. The scholars are in unison in their decision to reject this hadith besides forbidding it from being narrated without stating its status. The main corruption of fabricated hadith is its false justification against the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). The falsification of hadith caused a negative effect on many aspects such as faith, religious law and acts of worship. Furthermore, the number of fabricated hadiths are increasing from day to day. This chilling reality is becoming a concern when the dispersion of such hadiths with the application of the latest technology we have today. The dispersion of fabricated hadiths through social media has become a new threat that must be seriously combatted.” - A. H. Usman*, R. Wazir
Sources:
Obeying the (Unjust) Ruler: Tracing a Political Ideology in the Hadith Literature by Yusuf Şe
Authenticating Hadith and the History of Hadith Criticism by Jonathan A.C. Brown
The Algerian Woman Issue: Struggles, Islamic Violence, and National Liberation by Marnia Lazr
Gender, Violence, and Social Justice in Islam: Muslim Feminist Scholars in the Public Eye by Kecia Ali
An Analysis on the Dispersion of Fabricated Hadith in Social Media and Its Impact on the Muslim Community by Muhammad Nasir et al
Islam and Authoritarianism by M. Steven Fish
Political Dynamics in the Hadith Transmission: Hadith Scholars and Orientalists’ Perspectives, Idri Shaffat and Arif Jamaluddin
Garrett Davidson’s Carrying on the Tradition: A Social and Intellectual History of Hadith Transmission across a Thousand Years
THE FABRICATED HADITH: ISLAMIC ETHICS AND GUIDELINES OF HADITH DISPERSION IN SOCIAL MEDIA A. H. Usman*, R. Wazir