What to do if a hadith apparently conflicts with Qur'an

Question:
I believe if Allah has given you the ability to analyze and judge what is right and what is wrong then you must use it. However, I have come across a lot of ahadith that are claimed to be ‘Sahi’ (i.e. authentic) but they conflict with Qur’an or Qur’anic theory. Sometimes I find myself in huge confusion. I have to justify my every step but I find myself stranded, thinking what is right and what is wrong and why the difference is so large.

Can you please guide me what to do in such circumstances?

Response:
The entire message of Islam is contained in Qur’an and sunnah. Both sources were transmitted to us with meticulous precision. All Muslims agreed on their authenticity from the first generation onwards. The prophet, alaihissalam, not only presented those two sources, he also practiced them and explained and clarified its contents. Some companions – not all – transmitted some of this information about the prophet – not all information – to the next generations. This latter information is contained in ahadith (plural of hadith). Since the books of hadith carry information which was collected and carried forward by a few individuals, they are likely to have information which at times can be less than completely authentic. It is, therefore, important that we handle the information carefully. If we find anything in it which, to us, goes against the teachings of Qur’an, sunnah, or common sense, we should not circulate it to others; we should keep thinking about it. Attributing a statement or an act to the prophet which was unlikely to have been said or done by him is an act of carelessness in religion which we should refrain from doing.

In your case, there is no need for you to be confused when you find a hadith going contrary to Qur’an. Simply tell yourself that either someone would help you clarify the fact that it was not in fact conflicting with Qur’an or else you will not accept it as a statement made by the prophet.

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