What is the difference between the Quran and Hadith? The Qur’an is the word of Allah, revealed to the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. Hadith are the reports of what the Prophet ﷺ said, did and approved. Together, the Quran and Hadith are the two primary sources of Islam: the Qur’an sets out the message, and the Hadith show how the Prophet ﷺ explained and lived it.
This guide explains both sources, how they relate, how hadith are graded, and how to check a quotation before you share it.
What Is the Qur’an?
The Qur’an was revealed in Arabic over about 23 years. It has 114 chapters (surahs) and is recited in every prayer. Muslims believe it is preserved exactly as revealed:
“Indeed, it is We who sent down the message [i.e., the Qur’ān], and indeed, We will be its guardian.”
— Qur’an 15:9, Saheeh International (quran.com)
Translations help readers understand the meaning, but the Arabic text alone is the Qur’an itself.
What Is Hadith?
A hadith is a report of the Prophet’s words, actions or silent approval, passed down through a chain of named narrators (isnad) together with its text (matn). The way of life these reports describe is called the Sunnah.
The Qur’an explains that the Prophet ﷺ was sent to make the message clear:
“And We revealed to you the message [i.e., the Qur’ān] that you may make clear to the people what was sent down to them and that they might give thought.”
— Qur’an 16:44, Saheeh International (quran.com)
How the Quran and Hadith Work Together
The Qur’an commands prayer, for example, while the Hadith show how to pray, how many units each prayer has and at what times. The Qur’an tells believers to follow the Messenger:
“O you who have believed, obey Allāh and obey the Messenger and those in authority among you. And if you disagree over anything, refer it to Allāh and the Messenger…”
— Qur’an 4:59, Saheeh International (quran.com)
The Prophet ﷺ also said: “Beware! I have been given the Qur’an and something like it” (Sunan Abi Dawud 4604, graded Sahih by Al-Albani on sunnah.com).
How Hadith Are Graded
Not every report carries the same weight, so students of the Quran and Hadith need to understand grading. Scholars of hadith examined every chain of narrators for reliability, memory and continuity. The main grades are:
| Grade | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Sahih | Authentic: a sound, unbroken chain of reliable narrators |
| Hasan | Good: acceptable, with slightly less precise narrators |
| Da’if | Weak: a flaw in the chain or text; not relied on for rulings |
| Mawdu’ | Fabricated: falsely attributed to the Prophet ﷺ |
Scholars sometimes grade the same hadith differently, which is why sites such as sunnah.com show whose grading is quoted.
The Major Hadith Collections
- Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim, regarded as the most authentic collections.
- Sunan Abi Dawud, Jami‘ at-Tirmidhi, Sunan an-Nasa’i and Sunan Ibn Majah, which together with the two Sahihs form the “six books”.
- Other important works include the Muwatta of Imam Malik and the Musnad of Imam Ahmad.
Any serious study of the Quran and Hadith will draw on these works. Outside the two Sahihs, each hadith should be checked for its grading.
How to Check a Quote Before You Share It
Misquoting the Quran and Hadith is common online. Before sharing:
- Look for a reference. A Qur’an verse should have a chapter and verse number; a hadith should name its collection and number.
- Check the wording. Compare it with quran.com for the Qur’an or sunnah.com for hadith.
- Check the grading. Many popular sayings online are weak, fabricated or not hadith at all.
- Ask when unsure. A qualified scholar can explain context and meaning.
We follow these steps across our articles, including our guides to Sunnah practices and hadith stories for kids.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is hadith as important as the Qur’an?
The Qur’an is the word of Allah and the first source. Authentic hadith are the second source and are essential for understanding and practising it; Muslims do not set one against the other.
Where can I read the Quran and Hadith in English?
Quran.com offers the Arabic text with translations such as Saheeh International, and sunnah.com offers the major hadith collections in Arabic and English with references.
Begin with “Read”
The first revelation, described in Sahih al-Bukhari 3, begins with Iqra, “Read”. It is a fitting reminder for anyone learning the Quran and Hadith.
Explore Iqrah in Green Wall Art, an digital download supplied as a high-resolution JPEG file for printing at home or at a local print shop; no physical item is shipped. Custom designs can be requested.
