Why Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) banned writing “Hadith Books?”

It is debated that; Why Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) banned Hadith writing? Those favour Hadith books writing, justify by saying that;

The Hadith writing ban was initially imposed (by whom?) while Muslims were not mature enough to distinguish between Quran and Hadith, so to avoid mixing up Quran and Hadith, “initially a temporary ban” was imposed by the Prophet(ﷺ) which was later lifted when Muslims became more mature to distinguish between Quran and Hadith.

This argument is not supported by any Hadith or command of Prophet(ﷺ) but is their self assumed conjecture, neglecting clear commands of Quran, Prophet(ﷺ), and Sunnah of Rightly Guided Caliphs.

It appears that the Hadith writing ban was ordered by Prophet between 7 to 10 Hijrah (Abu Hurairah, who is one of narrators of Hadith writing ban, embraced Islam in 7 Hijrah and he was not granted permission to write Hadiths). About 20 years had passed by then, everyone could differentiate between Quran and Hadith.

Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) banned Hadith writing due to the reasons, which is not of temporary nature, its permanent reason, even verifiable today after 1400 years, a miraculous living proof of Prophethood of Muhammad (ﷺ). It is clearly mentioned in many Hadiths here are some extracts (translation) from sayings of Prophetﷺ:-

Do you want to write a book apart from the Book of Allah (Quran)?
Another book next to the book of Allah?
The previous nations (Jews and Christians) only deviated (from the right way) when they wrote books with the Book of Allah.“
Uphold the book of Allah, no other books but the book of Allah.
Yes, you can talk (oral narration) about me and there is nothing wrong with that, but whosoever deliberately lied about me, let him take his seat in the fire.
Do not take down anything from me, and he who took down anything from me except the Qur’an, he should efface that and narrate from me
Do not write anything I say but the Quran and whoever writes anything but the Quran should delete it.
The Hadiths can be found <<here>> [click and wait]
Also see references : Hadiths on Hadith & Quran on Hadith

Analysis:

The Hadith prohibition has been narrated in books of Hadiths but the most important part mentioned by Khateeb Al-Baghdari in his book “Taqayed Alim”, which describes the main reason of prohibiting Hadith writing:

“The previous nations (Jews and Chrsitians) only deviated (from the right way) when they wrote books with the Book of Allah.

Read: Impairment of Torah and Gospel [ Injil ] With Extra Books – Lesson for Muslims

Abu Hurairah and other companions were writing Hadiths, they were not writing the Quran. Hence there is no possibility of mixing Hadith with the Quran, the reason created later to justify Hadith book writing.

The Prophet (peace be upon him) prohibited Hadith writing in clear terms repeatedly.

This reason is a historic fact valid even today. The Jews wrote Talmud , including Mishnah and Gemara, while the Christians wrote and added 23 books with the Gospels in the New Testament which completely corrupted and changed the teachings of Jesus Christ.

The history is witness to the fact that the reason given by the Prophet (peace be upon him) proved to be true, because these books are used to create sects, differences , debates while undermining the Quran.

Hadith burning by Abu Huraira and others is a serious matter, it must be in the knowledge of the Prophet (peace be upon him), anyone doing it now would be burnt alive on accusation of blasphemy.

Abu Hurairah, who is one of narrators of Hadith writing ban, embraced Islam in 7 Hijrah and he was not granted permission to write Hadiths. About 20 years had passed by then, everyone could differentiate between Quran and Hadith. This Hadith writing ban was imposed during last 4 years indicate its permanent validity. Abu Hurairah lived for 56 more years, he died in 681CE (59AH) at the age of 78, but he is not reported to have written Hadith books after this prohibition by the Prophet (peace be upon him). He used to memorize and narrate Hadiths. Hence this confirms that there was no change in general policy given by the Prophet (peace be upon him) except to some persons with weak memory or official correspondence , letters, accounts of inheritances etc. Zaid bi Haris visiting Muawiyah also refers to Hadith writing ban.

However some Hadiths can also be found which mention about permission by Prophet (pbuh) to some individuals with poor memory, this was exception not rule. More over , how writing privates can constitute permission to write books? Ambiguity if any? was clarified through Sunnah of Rightly Guided Caliphs, who continued with the ban and did not makarrangements to write Hadith books. Caliph Umar, considered Hadith books like , Mishna & Talmud, distraction from Quran. He deliberated upon on this issue for long time before taking final step to ban it completely, but those with deviant hearts follow the elusive verses seeking ˹to spread˺ doubt through their ˹false˺ interpretations—

Read : Guided Caliphs & Hadith

Read : Caliph Umer & Hadith

Quran is the Furqan, final criteria to judge right from wrong (Quran;25:1). So when we refer to the Quranic verses against Hadith, the permissibility of Hadith writing to an individual does not get support from the Quran. The Prophet (pbuh) is also reported to have said that Hadith which contradict the Quran and Sunnah are not from him, he is also reported to have said that, if you hear a Hadith which your heart does not accept, it is far away from me (Masnad Ahmad 3/497, Saheeh Albani). Hence the Hadiths about ban on writing get support from the Quran, while others not supported by the Quran are to be ignored.

It is not very uncommon in Hadith books to find some Hadiths with conflicting contents and contradictions. The experts use various techniques to reconcile but one group may insist on Hadiths supporting their point of view while rejecting the Hadith referred by the opponent. This is the cause of conflict, division, disunity and sectarianism. If the reference source has contradictions, how can it be trusted as a whole, even if there are genuine narrations.

There is only one Book which claims:

“This is the Book about which there is no doubt, a guidance for those conscious of Allah” (Quran 2:2)