Question
Did Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) FORBID OR PROHIBIT to write the Hadiths and burned those Hadiths which he found in written form during his life time?
And did four Khalifas also prohibit to write the Hadiths?
Did Jews & Christians also compiled the Hadiths of Moses (pbuh) & Jesus (pbuh)?
Answer
It is reported in some narratives that during the time of the revelation of the Qur’an, when the Prophet wanted all his followers to fully concentrate on writing and memorizing the Qur’an, the Prophet (pbuh) did not recommend people – especially those who were involved in writing the revealed word of God – to write anything other than the Qur’an. This lack of recommendation, in my opinion, should not be construed as an absolute ‘prohibition’ of writing any sayings, actions or events of the life of the Prophet (pbuh). On the contrary, it was only a means of securing the Qur’an from any erroneous additions on the part of the scribes of the revelation.
Collection of the sayings, actions and events during the life of a great person – whether he be a political leader, a reformer or a prophet of God – is a natural phenomenon for the followers of that great person. It can generally not be stopped. As explained above, the Prophet (pbuh) seems to have discouraged it only because of the potential danger that such collection and recording entailed with regard to the recording and subsequent transmission of the Qur’an.
In view of the foregoing explanation, I do not consider it correct to say that the Prophet (pbuh) or the Muslim leaders after the Prophet (pbuh) prohibited the collection or recording of narratives ascribed to the Prophet (pbuh).
As stated earlier, the collection and recording of sayings, actions etc. ascribed to a beloved leader is a natural phenomenon for the followers of that leader. Moses (pbuh) and Jesus (pbuh) and other prophets of God are no exception. Thus, the followers of Moses (pbuh) and Jesus (pbuh) must also have collected and recorded sayings and actions ascribed to these prophets of God.
I hope this helps.
Regards,
Moiz Amjad
July 14, 2002