The Definition of Rasūl, and the Ḥadīth Qudsī

The definition of rasūl, given in the previous chapter, bears repeating. Rasūl: insānun ḥurrun dhakarun min banī Ādam, min banī Ādam, ūḥiya ilayhi bi-sharʿin wa umira bi-tablīghihi, sawāʾun kāna maʿahu kitābun unzila ʿalayhi li-yuballighahu, nāsikhan li-sharʿi man qablahu aw ghayra nāsikhin lahu, aw ʿalā man qablahu wa umira bi-daʿwati al-nāsi ilayhi … dhālika bi-an umira bi-tablīghi al-waḥyi min ghayri kitāb, fa-huwa akhaṣṣu min al-nabī. So the rasūl is more specific than the nabī.

Many questions also arise about the ḥadīth qudsī. It is best understood by explaining the Qur'an, the ḥadīth qudsī and regular hadith, that is, other hadith, side by side.

The Qur'an is the speech of Allah (swt), directly inspired in a particular word and form to the Prophet (peace be upon him), which he then conveyed to the masses. So the Qur'an is specifically a special composition from Allah (swt) that is given through the Prophet (peace be upon him) to mankind. He does not change the words; he says it exactly as He revealed it.

The ḥadīth qudsī is a subcategory of hadith in general, which are sayings of the Prophet (peace be upon him). They are considered revelations from Allah, in which the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, "Allah says." In regular hadith, the Prophet (peace be upon him) does not say, "Allah said." So these are like specific inspirations that are not the Qur'an, because they are not revealed in word, but they are revealed in meaning; and the Prophet (peace be upon him) says them in his own words, but he says, "Allah said": that "I am closer to the servant when he remembers Me."^* That whole hadith is an instance of it.

A ḥadīth qudsī is a hadith which the Prophet (peace be upon him) relates from Allah, by saying, "Allah said." And it is an inspiration: "Allah just told me; Allah told me this; Allah inspired me with this." Whereas other hadith are also obviously inspiration, but he does not mention that Allah said so. This is something that comes into his heart, or something he says himself, when it relates to worldly things or whatever it may be. That is the difference between the ḥadīth qudsī, regular hadith, normal hadith, and then the Qur'an. The Qur'an is revealed in word and form.

Al-Sayyid al-Sharīf al-Jurjānī offers the following definition in al-Taʿrīfāt: A ḥadīth qudsī, in its context, is from Allah Most High (so in its meaning it's from Allah Most High), and in its wording from the Prophet (peace be upon him). It is that which Allah Most High has communicated to His Prophet through revelation or in a dream, and he (peace be upon him), in turn, has transmitted in his own words. The Qur'an is superior to a ḥadīth qudsī because, aside from being revelation, it is the divine word of Allah. That, hopefully, explains the matter.