The Role of Hadith in Tafsir

Imagine you receive a text message from a close friend. It says: "It's done." Now, what does that mean? Did they finish a project? Did they end a relationship? Did they just complete a difficult task? The two words alone are almost impossible to understand correctly without context.

To understand the message, you would need to know more. You might scroll up in your conversation to see what you were last talking about. Or, even better, you could ask your friend directly, "What do you mean?" Their explanation would be the final, authoritative word on what their message meant.

For Muslims, the Quran is the divine text—the ultimate message from our Creator. But to understand it fully and correctly, we need its context and its ultimate explanation. This is where the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and the science of Tafsir (Quranic explanation) come in. And at the very heart of this science lies the Hadith—the record of the Prophet's words, actions, and approvals.

                                                          What is Hadiths? A Simple Guide

The Hadiths plays an important role in Explaining Quran (Tafsir).  The Quran is the words of Allah, revealed as a guide for humanity. Since the Prophet was the best teacher of the Quran, his explanations provide the most authentic understanding of its verses. 

This post will explore one of the most important principles in Islam: You cannot fully understand the Quran without the Hadith. We will dive deep into how the Hadith functions as the primary key to unlocking the meanings of the Quran, ensuring that we are not just reading the words, but comprehending them as they were intended to be understood.

Why We Need the Prophet's Explanation

The connection between the Quran and the Prophet ﷺ is not a later invention; it is a relationship established by Allah Himself in the Quran. Allah makes it clear that the role of the Prophet is not just to deliver the message, but to explain it.

"And We have revealed to you the message [O Muhammad] that you may make clear to the people what was sent down to them." (Quran, Surah An-Nahl, 16:44)
 

This verse is a foundational proof. Allah revealed the Quran to the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ so that he, in turn, could make it clear to the people. The "making clear" is the Tafsir, and it was done through his Sunnah—his lived example and teachings, which are preserved in the Hadith.

Furthermore, the Quran commands obedience to the Prophet ﷺ in numerous verses, linking it directly to obedience to Allah:

“He who obeys the Messenger has obeyed Allah.” (Quran, Surah An-Nisa, 4:80)

“And whatever the Messenger has given you - take; and what he has forbidden you - refrain from.” (Quran, Surah Al-Hashr, 59:7)

How can we obey him in what he has given us and forbidden us if we do not have a record of his commands and prohibitions? That record is the Hadith. Therefore, turning to the Hadith to understand the Quran is not an optional extra; it is a fulfillment of a divine command.

                                               How Tafseer can deepen your Connection with Quran

The Living Quran – The Prophet as the Walking, Talking Tafsir

The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was not a mere person who delivered a book and then stepped aside. He was the living, breathing embodiment of the Quran. His wife, Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her), was asked about his character. She famously replied: "His character was the Quran." (Sahih Muslim)

This means that the Quran’s teachings—its morals, its commands, its spirit—were manifested in his every action and word. He was the practical Tafsir. To understand how the Quran should be lived, the companions simply watched him.

Let's break down the specific ways his Sunnah, through Hadith, explains the Quran.

1. Explaining the Unclear (The Mujmal)

The Quran sometimes gives general commands without the specific details. The Prophet's role was to provide those details.
The Best Example: The Prayer (Salah)
The Quran commands the establishment of Salah over 100 times. But the Quran does not tell us:

• How many times a day to pray.
• How many units (Rak'ahs) are in each prayer.
• What words to say in the prayer.
• What the physical movements are.

All of these crucial details come from the Hadith. The Prophet ﷺ said: "Pray as you have seen me praying." (Sahih al-Bukhari). He physically demonstrated the prayer, and his descriptions have been meticulously preserved. Without the Hadith, the second pillar of Islam would be a complete mystery. We would know we must "establish prayer," but we would have no idea how to do it.

2. Specifying the General (The `Aam)

Sometimes, a Quranic verse is general, and the Hadith specifies to whom or what it applies.
Example: Who are the "Unjust"?
In Surah An-Nisa, Allah says:

The word used is "the irresponsible" (or "the foolish"). This is a general term. Who exactly does it refer to? The Hadith provides the specification. The Prophet ﷺ explained that this refers to people who are wasteful with their wealth. He said: "It is not permissible to give wealth to a foolish person." (Sunan Ibn Majah). The scholars then defined "foolish" in this context as someone who spends their wealth on sinful things. The Hadith took a general warning and gave it a clear, practical definition.

3. Restricting the Unrestricted (The Mutlaq)

Similar to specification, sometimes a Quranic ruling is absolute, and the Hadith provides a necessary condition or restriction.

Example: The Punishment for Theft
The verse on theft states:

The verse is general: "the thief." Does this apply to a child who steals candy? To someone who steals out of starvation? To someone who steals a very small amount?

The Hadith provides the restrictions. The Prophet ﷺ and his companions established through their rulings that the punishment of amputation does not apply if:

• The item stolen is below a specific minimum value (Nisab).
• The person was forced by hunger.

These crucial restrictions, derived from the Hadith, prevent the severe punishment from being applied unjustly. They show the mercy and wisdom of Islamic law, which is fully understood only by combining the Quran with the Hadith.
 

Clarifying Quranic Meanings:

 The Quran sometimes uses general and brief words. Hadiths helps explain these words clearly. Example: The Quran says, “Give Zakat” but does not specify amounts. Hadith (Sahih Bukhari) explains the rate of Zakat.

Defining Unclear Words:

 Some Quran words are rare and have multiple meanings. Hadiths clarifies them. Example: “Khamr” (intoxicants) is forbidden. Hadiths explains that "every intoxicant is forbidden" including drugs not known in the Prophet's time.

Revealing the Occasion of Revelation (Asbab al-Nuzul):

  Many verses were revealed due to specific events. Hadith shares these stories. Example: Surah Al-Lahab curses Abu Lahab. Hadith tells us he was the Prophet's uncle who openly opposed Islam.

Explaining Parables and Metaphors:

 The Quran uses parables; Hadith makes them clear. Example: The Quran warns of “a Fire whose fuel is men and stones”. Hadith explains that “stones” refers to idols worshipped besides Allah.

Giving Practical Examples:

 The Prophet lives the Quran, so his life (Sunnah) is like a real-life Tafsir. Example: The Quran speaks of Honesty; Hadith shows how the Prophet was Always Honest.

Important Rule:

Not every Hadith is used in Tafsir. Scholars prioritize:

1. Sahih  (Authentic)  Hadith
2. Hasan  (Good)  Hadith if no Sahih Exist
3. Weak  (Daeef)  Hadith only for encouraging good deeds, not for rulings.

Hadith is essential for proper Quranic understanding. Without it, Muslims risk misinterpretation, incomplete knowledge, or even deviation.

As the Prophet said:

I leave behind two things- the Quran and my Sunnah (Hadith)- If you hold to them, you will never go astray.

I hope this post had helped you understanding the importance of Hadiths in explanation of Quran. Do share this beneficial knowledge with your loved ones. You can Follow me on TikTok, WhatsApp and Instagram for more updates. Feel Free to leave a Comment below-I would love to read it.