Title: Are Hadiths part of Shari`ah ? Question/Comments: According to your opinion, Hadiths are not a part of Shariah . Don't you feel that the scope of the verses of Quran 59:7,3:31,4:65,4:80,33:21 etc becomes very much limited if your opinion is taken correct? Even if your opinion is considered correct, why are you then considering Hadiths in your responses, which in your opinion, Prophet never ordered to write? Should we not follow the command of the Prophet? Regards, Ameen Answer: I really do not remember having said that Hadith is not a part of the Shari`ah or that of the teachings of Islam. What I have stated time and again is that Hadith is not a primary and independent source of the Shari`ah and that of the corpus of Islam. As I see it, there is a huge difference between not considering something as a primary and independent 'Source' of Islam and not considering something as a 'Part' of Islam. The fact that the Prophet (pbuh) never ordered the writing of Hadith does not by itself imply the prohibition of writing Hadith . Therefore, I do not consider it incorrect to cite narratives ascribed to the Prophet (pbuh). Nevertheless, as far as my own citations of Hadith are concerned, I, generally, do not cite them as "primary evidence" for any given opinion, but normally present them as "substantiating evidence" only. I hope this would clarify the issue. Regards, Moiz Amjad January 1, 2002