Question

Please elaborate on the Hadith in Sahih Muslim, book number 39, Hadith number 4707.

Why does it contradict the Quran which says that Allah Ta’ala created the world in 6 days, and this Hadith mentions the creation in 7 days!

Please help. Jazak Allah khair

 

Answer

The Sahihayn (Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim) are the most authentic books of Hadith. One needs to refrain from such allegations against these celebrated works, especially if one is ill-equiped with the knowledge of the Islamic sciences. We should avoid reading articles that put such doubts in our minds.

Among various explanations of the Muhaddithun for the above, I will quote just one simple answer below:

The verse in the Quran states:

“Indeed we created the heavens and earth in six days…”

(Surah: Qaf, verse: 38)

No Contradiction

This verse is referring to the initial creation of the structure of the heavens and earth in those 6 days.

The Hadith of Sahih Muslim is discussing what happened after that. The Hadith is actually explaining how Allah Ta’ala thereafter created these elements (of light, darkness, sand, etc) between the heavens and the Earth within 7 days.

Since they are discussing different aspects of creation, there remains no contradiction.

This explanation is credited to the Great Shaykh ‘Abdulah Sirajuddin (rahimahullah) a senior teacher of my Shaykh, Al-Muhaddith Muhammad ‘Awwamah (may Allah protect him).

(Hadyul Quran ila ma’rifatil ‘awalimi wat tafakkuri fil akwan, pg. 26)

Lastly, My esteemed teacher, Al-Muhaddith Shaykh Muhammad ‘Awwamah (may Allah protect him) is currently writing a detailed treatise on this very Hadith. May Allah Ta’ala inspire him to complete it soon.

[Update (17/01/2017): My esteemed Teacher, Al-Muhaddith Shaykh Muhammad ‘Awwamah’s (hafizahullah) detailed article on this Hadith has now been published. Alhamdulillah.]

 

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best,

Answered by: Mawlana Muhammad Abasoomar

Checked by: Mawlana Haroon Abasoomar