The Chain of the Qur’an
Compiled and translated by Abu ‘Abdis Salaam Siddiq Al Juyaanee
Chain taken from the ‘Uthmaanee Mushaf printed by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Many of the people of Bid’ah (innovation) disbelieve in the Ahadeeth of the Prophet sallAllaahu alaihi was sallam either partly or in totality. They say that due to the chain of narrators a human element has crept into the equation thus rendering it doubtful and subject to error. Due to their poor opinion of the Companions of Allah’s Messenger sallAllaahu alaihi was sallam, they do not trust that which they narrate from the statements of the Prophet sallAllaahu alaihi was sallam1. This is yet, another example of their extreme ignorance. As the ‘Ulamaa have explained, ignorance is one of the greatest characteristics of the people of Bid’ah (innovation). Know, may Allah have mercy on you, the same people who transmitted the Qur’an have also transmitted the statements of the Prophet sallAllaahu alaihi was sallam. The Qur’an like the Hadeeth has a chain of narrators that reaches back to the Prophet sallAllaahu alaihi was sallam, who heard it from Jibreel alaihis salaam who heard it from Allah ta’ala. Each recitation has its own authentic chain of narrators. The following, is the chain of the recitation of Hafs on ‘Aasim (this is the commonly recited recitation).
Hafs bin Sulaimaan bin Al Mughairah Al Asadee Al Kufee on the recitation of Aasim bin Abee An Najood Al Kufee At Taabi’ee on Abee Abdir Rahmaan Abdillah bin Habeeb As Sulamee on the authority of ‘Uthmaan bin ‘Affaan and ‘Alee bin Abee Taalib and Zaid bin Thaabit and ‘Ubai bin Ka’b on the Prophet sallAllaahu alaihi was sallam who heard it from Jibreel who heard it from Allah. Allah says in His noble book,
“Verily, We, it is We Who have sent down the Dhikr (the Qur’an) and surely, We will guard it (from corruption).” [Suratul Hijr: 9]
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1 Imaam Al Barbahaaree rahimahullaah has written in his book “Explanation of the Creed”, “May Allah have mercy upon you! Know that a servant’s Islaam is not complete until he follows, attests to and submits to (the truth). So anyone who claims that there remains anything from Islaam not sufficiently explained by the Companions of Allah’s Messenger sallAllaahu alaihi was sallam, has falsely accused them, has split from them and spoken ill of them. He is an innovator, astray and leading others astray, introducing into Isalaam that which is not from it.” Taken from the translation of “Explanation of the Creed”, translated by Abu Talhah Daawood Burbank (rahimahullaah).
Imaam Ahmad rahimahullah said, “Whoever rejects a Hadeeth of Allah’s Messenger sallAllaahu alaihi was sallam is on the brink of destruction.”
