Hadith on predestination a critical evaluation and reinterpretation

Khan, Israr Ahmad (2014) Hadith on predestination a critical evaluation and reinterpretation. Islamic Perspective Journal, 11. pp. 9-32. ISSN 1946-8946

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Abstract

Most of the Muslim scholars and majority of Muslim masses stand confused over the question of predestination of human life and its end-result. The most predominant view of prefixed human destiny is that man is bound to follow the prewritten details of his life; and he does not actually have freedom to think, choose, and act on his own accord. Such fatalistic idea of life is consequent upon some traditions recorded in the name of the Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) by almost all the famous Hadith scholars, including al-Bukhari and Muslim. Apparently these Hadiths seek to convey a message that the life-span, sustenance, deeds, the position of being rewarded or condemned in the life hereafter are prefixed even before man’s birth. Hadith commentators have tried to remove the confusion over the concept of predestination. Yet, the confusion remains in place. It seems the Hadith commentators who believe in the sanctity of the Hadith words have ultimately further endorsed the notion of fatalism. Possibly, if the Hadith wording is thoroughly investigated and tested against some highly reliable sources, the Qur’an, the well-known teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.), and the sound reasoning, the current confusion may be removed. This paper represents a humble attempt to make authentic enquiry into the reliability of the main traditions on predestination, on the one hand, and reinterpret them so as to bring a harmony between the idea of examination of man on the earth and that of predestination. The purpose of this paper is not to discredit the works of Hadith scholars but to rectify the probable faults in their recording of Hadith.

Item Type:	Article (Journal)
Additional Information:	1439/48453
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Hadith, Predestination, Reinterpretation, Al-Bukhari, Muslim
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > B Philosophy (General) B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BL Religion
Kulliyyahs/Centres/Divisions/Institutes (Can select more than one option. Press CONTROL button):	Kulliyyah of Islamic Revealed Knowledge and Human Sciences > Department of Qur’an and Sunnah
Depositing User:	Prof Israr Ahmad Khan
Date Deposited:	22 Mar 2016 14:31
Last Modified:	03 Jan 2018 16:46
URI:	http://irep.iium.edu.my/id/eprint/48453

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