If you are new to Islamic studies, learning the Difference between Hadith Qudsi and Quran can feel confusing at first. Both are connected to revelation from Allah, but they are not the same. The Qur’an has a special place that no other text can share. Hadith Qudsi is also noble and important, but it is different in wording, use, and status. In this simple guide, we will explain everything in clear English with easy examples, so even a beginner or non-Arabic speaker can understand
What Is the Qur’an?
The Qur’an is the final revelation from Allah to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ through Angel Jibreel, also called Gabriel. Muslims believe the Qur’an is the exact speech of Allah, word for word. This is why the Qur’an is unique. Its wording is not from the Prophet ﷺ. Its meaning and wording are both from Allah.
The Qur’an is also an act of worship to recite. When a Muslim reads it, listens to it, memorizes it, or recites it in salah, this is worship in a very special sense.
What Is Hadith Qudsi?
Hadith Qudsi means a sacred narration. It is a hadith in which the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ reports a meaning from Allah. In simple words, Allah gives the message, and the Prophet ﷺ explains it in his own words. That is why Hadith Qudsi is respected and important, but it is still different from the Qur’an.
This is one of the most important points of the difference between Hadith Qudsi and Quran for beginners:
The Qur’an = meaning and exact words from Allah
Hadith Qudsi = meaning from Allah, wording from the Prophet ﷺ
That single point helps many students understand the topic clearly.
Hadith Qudsi (sacred sayings) are attributed to one of the Names of Allah, the Most Blessed and Exalted: Al-Quddus (The Most Holy). Its meaning—as mentioned by many scholars of interpretation—is the One who is pure and free from all defects and نقص (imperfections).
10 Differences between Hadith Qudsi and Quran
- The Noble Qur’an was revealed by Jibril (Gabriel) (peace be upon him) to our Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him and his family), as Allah the Most High says:
”قُلْ مَن كَانَ عَدُوًّا لِّجِبْرِيلَ فَإِنَّهُ نَزَّلَهُ عَلَىٰ قَلْبِكَ بِإِذْنِ اللَّهِ”
“Say: Whoever is an enemy to Gabriel—it is he who has brought it down upon your heart by permission of Allah.”
(Al-Baqarah 2:97)
As for Hadith Qudsi, it is not required that the intermediary be Jibril (Gabriel) (peace be upon him). The intermediary may be Jibril, or it may come through inspiration or other means.
- The Noble Qur’an is entirely transmitted by mutawatir (mass transmission) in terms of narration, unlike Hadith Qudsi.
- The Qur’an is free from any error, whereas Hadith Qudsi may be subject to error from some of its narrators; in fact, a Hadith Qudsi may even be weak due to ضعف (weakness) in some of its narrators.
- The Qur’an is recited in prayer, and this is not permissible for Hadith Qudsi.
- The Qur’an is divided into chapters (surahs), verses (ayat), sections (ahzab), and parts (ajza’), and this is not the case with Hadith Qudsi.
- The reward for reading and reciting the Qur’an is well established, with abundant evidence in the Qur’an and the Sunnah, unlike Hadith Qudsi—although the one who carries (learns and transmits) Hadith Qudsi is not without reward.
- The Qur’an is an everlasting miracle that remains throughout all ages and times.
- It is not forbidden for a person in a state of major impurity (janabah) to touch Hadith Qudsi, unlike the Qur’an (according to those who hold that touching it is forbidden).
- The one who denies the Qur’an is considered a disbeliever, unlike the one who denies a Hadith Qudsi—especially if there is اختلاف (disagreement) regarding some of its narrators, or oddity in its wording, or other issues.
- It is permissible to narrate Hadith Qudsi by meaning (according to those who allow narration by meaning), whereas it is not permissible to recite the Qur’an by meaning.
That was the difference between Hadith Qudsi and Quran.
As for the Difference between Hadith Qudsi and Prophetic Hadith, the first is that Hadith Qudsi is attributed by the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) to Allah, the Most Blessed and Exalted, unlike the Prophetic Hadith.
The second is that most Hadith Qudsi deal with themes of fear and hope, and the speech of the Lord, the Most Glorious, with His creation. Only a few of them address rulings such as the rulings of prayer, fasting, Hajj, Jihad, and other matters.
This is regarding the discussion of the difference between Hadith Qudsi and Quran , and the Prophetic Hadith.
Here are simple examples of Hadith Qudsi:
Hadith Qudsi 1 :
قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: ” قَالَ اللَّهُ تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَى: أَنَا أَغْنَى الشُّرَكَاءِ عَنْ الشِّرْكِ؛ مَنْ
عَمِلَ عَمَلًا أَشْرَكَ مَعِي غَيْرِي ، تَرَكْتُهُ وَشِرْكَهُ”.
On the authority of Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him), who said that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:
Allah (glorified and exalted be He) said: I am so self-sufficient that I am in no need of having an associate. Thus he who does an action for someone else’s sake as well as Mine will have that action renounced by Me to him whom he associated with Me. It was related by Muslim (also by Ibn Majah).
Hadith Qudsi 2:
قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: ” قَالَ اللَّهُ: يَسُبُّ بَنُو آدَمَ الدَّهْرَ، وَأَنَا الدَّهْرُ، بِيَدِي اللَّيْل
وَالنَّهَارُ”
On the authority of Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him), who said that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:
Allah said: Sons of Adam inveigh against [the vicissitudes of] Time, and I am Time, in My hand is the night and the day. As the Almighty is the Ordainer of all things, to inveigh against misfortunes that are part of Time is tantamount to inveighing against Him. It was related by al-Bukhari (also by Muslim).
Hadith Qudsi 3:
” قَالَ اللَّهُ: أَنْفِقْ يَا ابْنَ آدَمَ، أُنْفِقْ عَلَيْكَ “.
On the authority of Abu Harayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) from the Prophet (ﷺ), who said:
Allah (mighty and sublime be He) said: Spend (on charity), O son of Adam, and I shall spend on you. It was related by al-Bukhari (also by Muslim).
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FAQ: Difference between Hadith Qudsi and Quran
1. Is Hadith Qudsi the word of Allah?
Its meaning is from Allah, but its wording is usually from the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.
2. Can I recite Hadith Qudsi in prayer?
No. Only the Qur’an is recited as Qur’an in salah.
3. Is Hadith Qudsi more important than normal hadith?
It has a special honor because it is attributed to Allah in meaning, but it is still not equal to the Qur’an.
4. Are all Hadith Qudsi authentic?
No. Like other hadith, scholars study each one to know if it is authentic, weak, or otherwise
Conclusion
Understanding the Differences between Hadith Qudsi and Quran is very important for every Muslim student, especially for non-Arabic speakers and beginners. The Qur’an is the exact speech of Allah and has a unique place in Islam. Hadith Qudsi is also sacred and beautiful, but it is different from the Qur’an in wording, use, and level.
If you are beginning your journey, take it step by step. Learn the Qur’an first. Then learn simple hadith and basic Arabic words. With good teaching and patience, these topics will become easier, in sha’ Allah.
If you would like, Iqra Wa Rattel Institute can also help you with a simple online learning plan for online Tajweed classes, Online Arabic Classes, and beginner Islamic studies in easy English. May Allah increase you in knowledge, understanding, and love for His words.
