Abu Hurayrah the biggest contributor of Hadiths!!
Less than three years before the passing away of the prophet Muhammad, Abu Hurayrah joined Islam. He happens to be the biggest single contributor to the Hadith Literature!! He has narrated 5374 narrations!! Many of his narrations are found in Sahih Al-Bukhari!! Let us see what Abu Huraira says about his specialty in Hadiths!
[Sahih Bukhari 3: 540, also repeated in 3: 263] “The people say that Abu Huraira narrates too many narrations. In fact Allah knows whether I say the truth or not. They also ask, "Why do the emigrants and the Ansar not narrate as he does?" In fact, my emigrant brethren were busy trading in the markets, and my Ansar brethren were busy with their properties. I was a poor man keeping the company of Allah's Apostle and was satisfied with what filled my stomach. So, I used to be present while they (i.e. the emigrants and the Ansar) were absent, and I used to remember while they forgot.”
Is not it a ridiculous statement if we use our bit of common sense? How come Abu Bakar, Oman, Ali and other prominent companions of prophet Muhammad did not take seriously to narrate hadiths if it was indeed necessary for Islam?! As they were the companions of the prophet during most rainy days and from the very beginning of Islam in Macca they must know most of the authentic hadiths.
Abu Hurayrah also admits that he had a bad memory and used to forget things!! But after the under mentioned incident, which he has self-narrated, the situation had changed dramatically!!
[Sahih Al-Bukhari 1: 119, also repeated in 4: 841] “Abu Hurayrah records: I said to Allah's Apostle “I hear many narrations (Hadiths) from you but I forget them.” Allah's Apostle said, “Spread your Rida (garment).” I did accordingly and then he moved his hands as if filling them with something (and emptied them in my Rida) and then said, “Take and wrap this sheet over your body.” I did it and after that I never forgot any thing.”
But the holy Quran does not support such miracle produced by prophet Muhammad. Prophet Muhammad received the greatest miracle and that is the holy Quran only. Did he receive/show any other miracle? The holy Koran does not support so.
[The Quran 29:51] Is it not enough of a miracle that we sent down to you this book, being recited to them? This is indeed a mercy and a reminder for people who believe.
[The Quran 6:109] They swore by God, solemnly, that if a miracle came to them, they would surely believe. Say, "Miracles come only from God." For all you know, if a miracle did come to them, they would continue to disbelieve.
[The Quran 7:203] If you do not produce a miracle that they demand, they say, "Why not ask for it?" Say, "I simply follow what is revealed to me from my Lord." These are enlightenments from your Lord, and guidance, and mercy for people who believe.
[The Quran 10:20] They say, "How come no miracle came down to him from his Lord?" Say, "The future belongs to God; so wait, and I am waiting along with you."
[The Quran 13:7] Those who disbelieved say, "If only a miracle could come down to him from his Lord (we will then believe)." You are simply a warner - every community receives a guiding teacher.
[The Quran 20:133] They said, "If he could only show us a miracle from his Lord!" Did they not receive sufficient miracles with the previous messages?
[The Quran 40:78] We have sent messengers before you - some of them we mentioned to you, and some we did not mention to you. No messenger can produce any miracle without God's authorization. Once God's judgment is issued, the truth dominates, and the falsifiers are exposed and humiliated.
Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Universe.
Copyright © 2007, Md. Anisur Rahman.