Wednesday, Jumadal Thani 12, 1447 AH (December 03, 2025)
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds, may the blessings and peace be upon our beloved master Muhammad, the last of Prophets, on his family, and all his companions.
Dear brothers and sisters! Our great teacher, mentor and father, late Sheikh Abubakar Mahmud Gumi (rahimahullah), in his lectures, tafsir or Hadith translations, use to mention some important phrases which are very true.
He use to tell us that: “Karatun Hadisi da aiki da shi, shine zama lafiya ga Musulmi.”
Meaning,
“Reading the Hadith and applying it in our daily lives is the way to peace for the Ummah.”
This statement is a famous statement among the scholars of Hadith (Muhaddithun). They use to say, and which is very true that:
“When reciting Hadith, Allah Ta’ala’s special mercies descend.” [See Tadribur Rawi, volume 4, page 540]
During the times of difficulty, insecurity, fear and hardship, in addition to Qur’an recital and other forms of Du’a, prayers etc, one practice of our pious predecessors (Salaf); recent and ancient is to recite the entire Sahih Bukhari in order to draw Allah Ta’ala’s special mercy.
Sahih Bukhari consists of among the most authentic Hadiths of Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him) ever gathered. Through the blessings of reciting these noble Hadiths, Allah Ta’ala removes adversity. This is a well tried and tested practice and is based on centuries of experience.
The scholars of Hadith (Muhaddithun) in the past and present would recite the entire Bukhari for alleviating – among other things: General calamity, insecurity, Fear and terror, Illness, Drought, Personal needs etc.
The famous and great commentator of Sahih Bukhari; Hafiz Ibn Hajar Al-Asqalani (rahimahullah) said:
“Among the many other virtues of Sahih Bukhari, is what the senior Imam Ibn Abi Jamrah (rahimahullah) has mentioned: ‘Some pious people mentioned to me that whenever Sahih Bukhari was recited in times of suffering, it was removed. The ship that has a copy of Sahih Bukhari on board, doesn’t sink. The reason for this is that Imam Bukhari (rahimahullah) was one whose Du’as were readily accepted by Allah Ta’ala (Mustajabud Da’awah) and he made special Du’a for those who recited his book.” [See Hadyus Sariy, page 16, also see Tadribur Rawi, volume 1, page 316]
Allamah Tajud Din As-Subki (rahimahullah) said:
“As is quite famous, there are many experiences of Sahih Bukhari being a means of alleviating problems and fulfilling needs. Quoting these incidents would take a long while.” [See Tabaqatush Shafi’iyyah, volume 2, page 234]
The famous comentator of Qur’an (Mufassir) Hafiz Ibn Kathir (rahimahullah) said:
“Reciting Sahih Bukhari is effective in seeking rain.” [See Irshadus Sariy, volume 1, page 42, Fathul Ilah, volume 1, page 75, Mirqatul Mafatih, volume 1, page 58 and Al-Kanzul Mutawari, volume 1, page 174]
Allamah Sakhawi (rahimahullah) mentioned that during the calamity in Homs (Syria), in the year 680 A.H. the entire Sahih Bukhari was recited. After this the fear of attack from the enemy vanished. Alhamdulillah. [See Al-Wajhus Sabih, page 21]
The Popular commentator of Riyadus Salihin; Imam Muhammad Ibn Ali Ibn Allan (rahimahullah) said:
“When Zabid (a place in Yemen) was surrounded by the enemy [in the tenth century A.H.] they were gripped with fear, Imam Ibnud Daiba (rahimahullah) instructed that Sahih Bukhari be divided into parts, and its recital be completed. Before the next morning, the enemy departed and their condition was eased.” [Al-Wajhus Sabih, page 22]
Ibn Allan (rahimahullah) writes further, that in his era too [the eleventh century A.H.] the inhabitants of Basrah recited Sahih Bukhari to avert danger, and Allah Ta’ala eased their adversity. [Al-Wajhus Sabih, page 22]
Shah Al-Muhaddith Abdul Aziz Dehlawi (rahimahullah) said:
“Reciting the entire Sahih Bukhari is very effective during times of hardship, fear of attack, during illness or drought and other calamities as is widely experienced.” [See Bustanul Muhaddithin, page 155]
Shaikhul Hadith Muhammad Zakariyyah Kandehlawi (rahimahullah) said:
“Shah Abdul Haq Dehlawi (rahimahullah) writes in Ash’athul Lam’at, that many Islamic scholars and Mashayikh have recited Sahih Bukhari for the successful fulfillment of needs, removal of difficulty, repelling calamity, and curing the ill. They found it to be extremely effective. This is something that has become extremely widespread and well known to the scholars of Hadith (Muhaddithun).” [See Muqaddimah Lami’ud Darari; see Al-Kanzul Mutawari, volume 1, page 174-175]
Shaikhul Hadith Muhammad Zakariyyah Kandehlawi (rahimahullah) said further: Shaikh Muhaddith Sayyid Jamaluddin (rahimahullah) states that his teacher, Shaikh Sayyid Asiluddin said:
“I have recited Sahih Bukhari about one hundred and twenty times for my personal needs and those of others. At every attempt, my motives were fulfilled.” [See Muqaddimah Lami’ud Darari; see Al-Kanzul Mutawari, volume 1, page 175, Mirqat, volume 1, page 58-59]
Shaikhul Hadith Fadlur Rahman A’zami (rahimahullah) has a section in his introduction to Sahih Bukhari entitled:
“Reciting Sahih Bukhari is effective in repelling calamity.” He thereafter cites the above two quotes. [See Hadiyyatud Darari, page 75]
In Darul Ulum India, when a senior teacher was ill, or during dire need, this practice would be implemented.
This was even done when Mufti Mahmudul Hasan Gangohi saheb (rahimahullah) fell severely ill.
Several Islamic scholars who have studied or visited there have attested to this common practice of the senior Scholars.
The Islamic scholars of Saharanpur also utilised this practice from time to time, as credible sources have stated.
Zafar Ahmad Uthmani (rahimahullah) would resort to reciting Bukhari when he would take ill, as a means of attaining cure. [See Ma’alim Irshadiyyah, page 204]
Allamah Muhammad Yusuf Binnory (rahimahullah) would -in his madrasah in Karachi Pakistan- also resort to this at times of need. He would gather suitable reciters and make them complete a swift recital of Sahih Bukhari followed by earnest Du’a.
Shaikhul Hadith, Muhammad Zakariyyah (rahimahullah) also engaged in this practice.
See one example in the book: Shaikhul Hadith and I, page 30.
In the recent past, the Islamic scholars of Madinah Munawwarah would also gather during times of difficulty to complete a recital of Sahih Bukhari with the motive of easing hardships.
There were several individuals who would arrange such gatherings in Madinah, one of them being by the Shaikh Zakariyyah Al-Bukhari (rahimahullah).
Great Hadith scholar, Muhaddith Shaikh Muhammad Awwamah (hafizahullah) would attend this particular one.
Similarly, Islamic scholars in other parts of the world also engage in this from time to time. These are our predecessors and our precedents…
Dear brothers and sisters! Please, let’s revive this. In keeping with this, those Islamic scholars who are capable of engaging in a complete recital of Sahih Bukhari are implored to please do so for the general plight of the Muslim Ummah, and every other severe need.
This can be achieved in a few short hours wherein able reciters gather and each of them simultaneously recite a part individually.
Once the recital is complete, a Du’a can be made.
And please, kindly remember us, our parents and family, our teachers, our students, our country and our well-wishers in that Du’a too.
May Allah Ta’ala restore peace on earth soon, very soon.
Respected brothers and sisters! Let’s encourages Islamic scholars who are capable enough to take up this initiative and revive this method of attracting Allah Ta’ala’s mercy upon the Ummah at large.
Fellow brothers and sisters! Hadith or Sunnah are a critical source of guidance for Muslims, complementing the Qur’an and offering detailed examples of how the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) lived his life. For Muslims, studying and applying these authentic Hadiths in their daily routines is indeed a path to personal peace, spiritual fulfillment, and collective harmony within the global Muslim Ummah.
Hadith or Sunnah provide extensive teachings on ethics, good manners, honesty, compassion, and justice. Applying these virtues helps individuals navigate social interactions peacefully and happily.
They detail the precise methods for performing prayers, fasting, and other acts of worship, bringing structure and spiritual connection to daily life.
The emphasis on brotherhood, helping one another, and resolving conflicts peacefully found in many narrations contributes to a stronger, more united Muslims Ummah.
Studying authentic Prophetic Hadiths provides a comprehensive blueprint for living a balanced life that addresses both worldly responsibilities and spiritual aspirations, ultimately seeking to foster peace and understanding.
But unfortunately, today, Allah Almighty tested the Ummah of Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) with some people called Quranists (or Qur’aniyyun), who rejects the Prophetic Hadiths and seriously attacking it!
These dangerous people, Quranists (Qur’aniyyun) – as they like to call themselves, reject Sunnah, Hadiths, and in essence they reject Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) himself, completely in full form without any exception whereas the basic rule to become Muslim is believing in no god but Allah AND following Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) as his final Messenger.
It’s amazing yet funny that the Hadith of Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) itself predicts their appearance 1447 years ago.
A downgraded version of Agnosticism, this newly invented cult (Qur’aniyyun), is actually the first step towards rejecting Qur’an itself.
Narrated Al-Miqdam Bin Ma’dikarib, that the Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him) said:
“Soon a Hadith from me will be conveyed to a man, while he is reclining on his couch, and he says: ‘Between us and you is Allah’s Book. So whatever we find in it that is lawful, we consider lawful, and whatever we find in it that is unlawful, we consider it unlawful.’ Indeed whatever the Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him) made unlawful, it is the same as what Allah made unlawful.” [It’s graded Hasan, at-Tirmidhi reported it, Hadith no. 2664. In-book reference: Book 41, Hadith no. 20. Volume 5, Book 39, Hadith 2664]
About the following the Hadith (Sunnah) of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him). Narrated Abu Hurairah:
Allah’s Messenger (Peace be upon him) said:
“All my followers will enter Paradise except those who refuse.” They said, “O Allah’s Messenger (Peace be upon him)! Who will refuse?” He said, “Whoever obeys me will enter Paradise, and whoever disobeys me is the one who refuses to enter it.”
These dangerous people, Quranists, are people who reject the Prophetic Hadith, believing the Qur’an alone is sufficient for religious guidance, and that Hadith are unreliable because they were written down long after the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) and may contradict the Qur’an. They view the Qur’an as the complete word of Allah, and interpretations of Hadith are often seen as unreliable or potentially fabricated. Some historical figures, like the Mu’tazilites and early sects of the Kharijites, also held similar views, rejecting Hadith as a source of law.
These Quranists argue that Hadith narrations, having been passed down orally for generations, are prone to error and contradiction, especially since early Islamic scholars deemed many narrations unreliable.
Some of them believe that the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) may have discouraged the writing of Hadith to prevent the Qur’an from being overshadowed, and that the compilation of Hadith occurred much later, leading to doubts about their authenticity.
They believe that the Qur’an repeatedly emphasises its completeness as a guide for all aspects of life and that it contains all necessary guidance.
Quranists contend that some Hadith seem to conflict with the Qur’an and that, therefore, the Qur’an should take precedence.
Famous Quranists leaders in the world who rejected the Hadith (Sunnah) include Syed Ahmed Khan, Muhammad Iqbal, and Aslam Jairajpuri, Ghulam Ahmed Parwez, Rashad Khalifah, along with earlier figures like Muhammad Tawfiq Sidqi. These thinkers, and groups like the early Mu’tazilites and some Kharijites, have argued that the Qur’an is the only necessary source of guidance for Muslims, and many of the Hadith were unreliable or even a source of corruption.
1. Syed Ahmed Khan: A reformer in 19th-century India who sought to revitalise Islam through rational inquiry. He is associated with the rejection of Hadith as a primary source of Islamic law and doctrine.
2. Muhammad Iqbal: A philosopher, poet, and politician in British India and later Pakistan, he was also associated with the “Qur’an alone” movement and sought to reinterpret Islamic teachings in a modern context.
3. Aslam Jairajpuri: An Indian Islamic scholar and one of the most prominent 20th-century proponents of the “Qur’an alone” movement.
4. Muhammad Tawfiq Sidqi: An Egyptian physician and reformer who argued that the Hadith were not meant for all time and that the Qur’an alone was sufficient guidance for Muslims.
5. Ghulam Ahmed Parwez: An influential 20th-century figure who did not accept Hadith that went against the Qur’an.
6. Rashad Khalifah: Identified as a pure Quranist and is known for his work on the Qur’an.
Those above mentioned Indians, Pakistanis and Egyptians Quranists and Hadith rejecters, also have their students and contractors here in Nigeria. The most prominent among them is Usman Dangungun, who leads the movement in Tudun Wada Kaduna, northern Nigeria. He is known for advocating a return to the Qur’an alone, rejecting Hadith and other non-Qur’anic sources as primary authorities. Other Quranists in Nigeria have also been identified, such as Yahaya Masussuka in Katsina state and Saleh Idris Bello, who participates in debates about performing prayers according to the Qur’an.
Finally, dear brothers and sisters! Let the Muslim Ummah understand that, wallahi these people, Quranists, are wrong! And Islam can’t be understood correctly without the Hadith (Sunnah) of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him)!
May Allah give us the ability to observe all our daily Ibadats, accept them and reward us with Jannatul Firdaws.
May Allah distance us from shame and failure, destroy every evil plan against us and our loved ones, and protect us from known and unknown enemies, ameen.
All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of the worlds. Prayers, peace and mercy are upon our beloved master, Muhammad, the son of Abdullah (Peace be upon him), his family and Companions.
Murtadha Muhammad Gusau is the Chief Imam of Nagazi-Uvete Jumu’ah and the late Alhaji Abdur-Rahman Okene’s Mosques, Okene, Kogi State, Nigeria. He can be reached via: gusauimam@gmail.com or +2348038289761 or +2348024192217.
