In the contemporary world, Islam often finds itself at the centre of controversy not due to its core teachings, but because of the way some individuals and institutions manipulate religious texts, particularly Hadith, to promote violence, intolerance and oppression.
This deliberate or
ignorant misuse has led to severe consequences, including rising radicalisation, misrepresentation of religious texts and internal conflict within the Islamic world itself.
The Hadith, or sayings and actions of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), are the second most important source of Islamic law and guidance after the Qur’an. These narrations provide context to the Qur’anic revelations and offer insights into the Prophet’s moral character, leadership, and dealings with people of all backgrounds. However, unlike the Qur’an which is considered divinely preserved, Hadith literature went through a process of collection, authentication, and classification by various Islamic scholars’ centuries after the Prophet’s death.
Great scholars such as Imam Bukhari, Imam Muslim, and others developed rigorous methods of verifying Hadith, checking the reliability of each narrator and the consistency of the text. Despite their efforts, some unauthenticated or weak Hadith still circulate today and are often used by extremists and anti-Islamists to justify or blame Islam for violence, oppression of women and authoritarian practices.
Militant groups have repeatedly taken Hadith out of context or relied on weak narrations to validate their violent ideologies. For example, certain Hadith that discuss battles or the Prophet’s response to enemies during times of war are quoted without the historical background or the rules of engagement that Islam emphasizes, such as not harming innocents, women, children, and the elderly. This kind of selective interpretation fuels both radical recruitment and anti-Muslim propaganda.
Another common misuse is in the treatment of women. A number of fabricated or weak Hadith have been historically cited to restrict women’s education, freedom of movement, or role in public life. For instance, a commonly misused narration that suggests women are intellectually deficient is not only taken out of context but also contradicted by the Prophet’s actual treatment of women empowering them, encouraging their education, and assigning them leadership roles, as in the case of Aisha (RA), who was a renowned scholar.
In some societies, rulers or dominant groups have used Hadith to legitimize authoritarian control, discourage dissent, or suppress reform.
Misquoted Hadith such as “Obey the leader even if he is oppressive” are often cited out of scholarly and historical context. In reality, Islamic governance is rooted in justice, consultation (shoora), and accountability.
This manipulation allows for tyranny to be cloaked in religious garb, pushing people away from the spiritual, ethical message of Islam.
The misuse of Hadith contributes to the global misrepresentation of Islam. Non-Muslims who are unfamiliar with Islamic texts may assume these violent or oppressive interpretations are normative.
Muslims
themselves, especially those with limited access to authentic validation, may become confused, disillusioned, or even radicalized. Moreover, it weakens internal unity among Muslims. Different sects may rely on divergent Hadith collections or interpretations, leading to discord and fragmentation often manipulated further by political actors.
To counter these challenges, education becomes not only a necessity but a religious duty. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) himself emphasized, “Seeking knowledge is an obligation upon every Muslim.
Muslims must be equipped with the tools to differentiate between authentic and fabricated Hadith. This requires learning the basics of Hadith sciences (Ilm al-hadith), understanding historical contexts, and studying under qualified scholars who are grounded in both traditional and contemporary knowledge. The Qur’an, being the primary source of Islam, provides a moral framework that overrides any questionable narration.
When Hadith is interpreted in light of the Qur’an’s principles like justice, mercy, wisdom and compassion then its true meaning emerges.
Young Muslims are particularly vulnerable to both extremism and anti-Islamic sentiment. Educational institutions, mosques, and families must prioritize teaching authentic Islamic values alongside critical thinking, historical awareness, and civic responsibility. Non-Muslims also need access to accurate information about Islamic teachings. Educational initiatives that promote interfaith dialogue, academic studies of Islam, and media literacy can dispel the myths fuelled by the misuse of Hadith.
Education is the bridge between confusion and clarity. Only through learning, questioning, and seeking truth can both Muslims and non-Muslims uncover the real Islam. As the Prophet said, “Whoever treads a path seeking knowledge, Allah will make easy for him the path to Paradise.” Prophet was a mercy to the worlds not a symbol of violence or oppression. His Hadith, when authentic and properly understood, reflect a life of humility, compassion, justice, and balance. Misusing these sacred words not only distorts the religion but harms the entire human community.
-Insha Warsi
Francophone and Journalism Studies,
Jamia Millia Islamia.