Question
Kindly provide some commentary on the following Hadith:
‘This sacred knowledge will be borne by the reliable authorities of each successive generation, who will [preserve it and] remove from it the alterations of the excessive, the interpolations of the corrupt, and the false interpretations of the ignorant.’
Answer
In this Hadith, Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam) has prophesized the emergence of liars, fabricators, and people of falsehood (Ahlul Batil) that will try to misinterpret the Din according to the dictates of their whims and desires. At the same time, he has also prophesized and informed the Ummah that there will exist in every era of time, a group of upright, righteous individuals who will acquire, learn, and preserve the sacred knowledge of Din. He has mentioned regarding them that each successive generation will learn the Din in its pristine pure form from their predecessors (i.e through studying formally with them).
Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam) has further explained that it will be this select group of learned, righteous, and upright individuals that will protect the Din. They will protect the true understanding of din and ward off all false alterations, interpolations, assumptions, and interpretations.
Since we have been informed of these dangers [false alterations, etc.], we should take great precaution in whom we take our Din from. We should only seek and acquire knowledge of Din from those who are qualified, fitting the above description as preservers of Din.
(Refer: Tadribur Rawi with the footnotes of Shaykh Muhammad ‘Awwamah, vol. 4 pgs. 28-30, and Mirqat, Hadith: 248)
For the reference and authenticity of this narration, click here.
And Allah Ta’ala knows best.
Answered by: Moulana Farhan Shariff
Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar,
On the other hand, this Hadith also highlights the duties of the bearers of knowledge, which they should never shy away from…