Title: Opinions about Hadith and Sunnah Question: I have been continuously following the discussion on your esteemed website about the differences in Hadith and Sunnah and the validity of accepting Ahadith (Authentic) as part of Islam or not. I have a few questions regarding this: How do you define "Aqeedah" How do you derive Aqeedah ? Below is a list of matters in which Muslims generally believe and these are based on "Ahad" ahadith and part of your definition of Sunnah . How many of these do you accept as part of Sunnah and which are QUESTION MARKED by you? The statement that Adam (S) is a Prophet, as well as others besides him who are not mentioned in the Qur'ân. The fact that our Prophet Muhammad (S) is favored by Allaah (T) above all the other Prophets and Messengers. The Great Intercession of the Messenger (S) on the Day of Judgment. His (S) intercession for the people of this Ummah who committed major sins. All the miracles of the Messenger (S) other than the Qur'ân. Matters relating to the beginning of the creation. The description of the angels, the jinn, the Jannah, and Janaham (the Fire). The belief that both the Jannah and the Fire are presently existing. The belief that the Black Stone is a stone from the Jannah. The belief that the Prophet (S) looked into al-Jannah and saw all that Allaah has prepared for the pious believers. The belief that ten (10) companions of the Messenger (S) were specifically promised the Jannah. The belief that everyone will be questioned in his grave by two angels. The belief in the punishment in the grave. The belief that the Scale (al- Meezaan) which weighs the deeds on the Day of Judgement has two pans. The belief in the Bridge (as-Siraat) which stretches over Jahanam. The belief in the Fountain (al-Kawthar) of the Messenger (S), and that whoever drinks once from it on the Day of Judgement will never thirst after that. The belief that seventy thousand (70,000) members of the Ummah of Muhammad (S) would enter the Jannah without reckoning. The belief in the good and evil consequences of al-Qadar. The belief that Allaah has written for everyone his happiness, his sadness, his provision, and the time of his death. The belief that a Muslim who commits a major sin will not abide in Jahanam forever. The belief in the Pen that was created by Allaah, and that He commanded it to write everything that will occur. The belief that Allaah (T) has prohibited the earth from eating the bodies of the Messengers. The ones that are accepted by you; what is the method of transmission of these? My last question to you is "Can you refute anything that is "authentically ascribed" to the prophet (pbuh) just because we cannot understand it? Aasem Bakhshi Answer: Aqeedah refers to elements of belief. According to my understanding, all those elements of belief, which are necessary for a person to be considered a Muslim and the absence of which can disqualify that person from being considered a Muslim are given in the Qur'an and have transmitted from one generation of Muslims to the other through perpetuation. In other words, the source of all the necessary elements of belief is primarily the Qur'an. Almost all of the specific issues that you have referred to are not a part of the essential elements of Muslim beliefs. In fact, according to my understanding, some of these issues are against the teachings of the Qur'an. As for the prophethood of Adam, it is referred to in the Qur'an by the word "Istafaa" , which is generally used in the Qur'an for selection specifically for the purposes of prophethood. I could not fully understand your last question. Nevertheless, in my opinion, considering a narrative to be "authentically ascribed" is, in fact, a matter of opinion. A difference can obviously exist on this issue. One of the most important criteria in considering a narrative "authentically ascribed" to the Prophet (pbuh) is the clarity and comprehensibility of the content reported in it. In view of this fact, it seems quite unlikely that a narrative be considered "authentically ascribed" and yet be incomprehensible. I hope this helps. Regards, Moiz Amjad March 6, 2002