The Legacy of Muslim Rule in India c6.s7.4

c6.s7.4

The study of Quran and the necessity of expounding it gave rise to that most characteristically Muslim literary activity, the books of tradition or Hadis, literally meaning narrative. It is a compendium of doings, sayings, revelations and judgements of Muhammad. Muslim theologians make no distinction between Quran and Hadis. To them both are works of revelation or inspiration. In the Quran, Allah speaks through Muhammad; in the *Sunnah* He acts through him No wonder that the Muslim theologians regard the Quran and the Hadis as being supplementary or even interchangeable.⁵⁸ Within three hundred years of the death of Muhammad, the Hadis acquired substantially the form in which it is known today. Imam Bukhari (d. C.E. 870) compiled authentic traditions from a plethora of voluminous traditions. Next in importance are the collections of Imam Muslim (d. 875) and Imam Tirmizi (d. 892).