Question

Please provide reference and the Arabic Text of the saying or a similar attributed to Imam Sufyan ibn ‘Uyaynah (rahimahullah):

“Hadith are a source of deviation if not taken from its people”

Answer

Imam Ibn Abi Zayd Al Qayrawani (rahimahullah) has cited this statement of Imam Sufyan ibn ‘Uyaynah (rahimahullah).

(Kitabul Jami’, pg. 118. Also see Atharul Hadith of Shaykh Muhammad ‘Awwamah -hafizahullah- pg. 63)

The Arabic text is as follows:

الحديث مضلّة إلا للفقهاء

Hadith is a source of deviation except for the Jurists [As they only know the interpretation and which Hadiths are suitable for practice]

Imam Malik and Imam ‘Abdullah ibn Wahb Al Misri (rahimahumallah) have also said a similar statement.

(See: Atharul Hadith of Shaykh Muhammad ‘Awwamah, pg. 63, 83)

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.

Answered by: Mawlana Suhail Motala

Approved by: Mawlana Muhammad Abasoomar

Checked by: Mawlana Haroon Abasoomar