INVESTIGATING ISLAM

What Did Muhammad's Islam Look Like Without Hadiths, Sharia, or Later Developments?

If we strip away the Hadiths, Sharia law, tafsir (Qur'anic exegesis), and all later theological constructs—relying only on the Qur'an and what can be verified historically—we're left with a far simpler and less structured belief system. This is what Muhammad's Islam likely looked like in its earliest form, based on the best available textual and historical evidence.

1. Core Message: Monotheism and Judgment

Tawhid (Oneness of God):
The Qur'an’s foundational message centers on the belief in one, indivisible God, a theme that runs through many verses, such as:
"Say, He is Allah, [who is] One" (Qur'an 112:1).
Rejection of Idolatry:
The Qur'an challenges polytheism: "Say, 'What do you worship besides Allah?'" (Qur'an 6:74).
Prophethood of Muhammad:
Muhammad is presented as a messenger. The Qur'an refers to him as the "seal of the prophets" (Qur'an 33:40), but does not delve into detailed stories or biographical elements.
Day of Judgment:
Accountability in the afterlife is a central theme: "So whoever does an atom's weight of good will see it, and whoever does an atom's weight of evil will see it" (Qur'an 99:7–8).

2. Ethical Teachings

The Qur'an offers clear ethical guidance on key moral principles:

Honesty and Justice:
"Woe to those who give less [than due]" (Qur'an 83:1–3).
Care for Orphans and the Poor:
"Do not deprive the orphan of his rights, nor repulse the beggar" (Qur'an 107:1-3).
Keep Promises:
"And fulfill [every] commitment. Indeed, the commitment is ever [that about which one will be] questioned" (Qur'an 17:34).
Patience and Forgiveness:
"Repel evil by that which is better" (Qur'an 41:34).

3. Prayer and Worship (Vaguely Defined)

Prayer (Salah):
The Qur'an commands prayer (Qur'an 11:114), but provides no details on the number of prayers or exact movements and recitations. The Hadiths would later fill in these gaps.
Frequency:
The Qur'an does not explicitly mandate five prayers daily. For example, Qur'an 11:114 mentions "performing the prayer at both ends of the day," but without specific time instructions.
Ablution (Wudu):
While the Qur'an mentions the necessity of ablution before prayer (Qur'an 5:6), it does not outline the detailed process.
Qibla (Direction of Prayer):
The Qur'an instructs Muslims to face the Kaaba during prayer (Qur'an 2:144), but gives no further details on how to find or maintain the direction.

4. Fasting and Almsgiving

Fasting in Ramadan:
The Qur'an prescribes fasting during Ramadan (Qur'an 2:183–187), but the exact start and end times are not provided, nor the rules for suhoor (pre-dawn meal) and iftar (breaking the fast).
Zakat:
The Qur'an instructs almsgiving but does not specify the percentage or the detailed categories of recipients. "The alms are only for the poor and the needy" (Qur'an 9:60).

5. Pilgrimage (Hajj)

Hajj:
The Qur'an mentions pilgrimage (Qur'an 22:27), but provides no details on the rituals such as Tawaf, Sa’i, and stoning the pillars, all of which are derived from Hadith.

6. Social and Legal Systems: Virtually Absent

No Criminal Code:
While the Qur'an alludes to some punishments (Qur'an 5:38), specific legal penalties like amputation, stoning, or execution for apostasy are not outlined.
Marriage and Divorce:
The Qur'an provides basic guidelines (Qur'an 4:3, 2:228) but leaves the detailed procedures and laws to later developments.
Inheritance:
The Qur'an sets out inheritance shares in verses like 4:11–12, but detailed calculation methods are developed through later jurisprudence.

7. Political Role of Muhammad

Described Mainly as a Messenger:
The Qur'an emphasizes Muhammad's role in conveying God's message, but there is little instruction on state governance or political authority.
Judgment and Governance:
The Qur'an does suggest that Muhammad was to judge disputes based on divine revelation (Qur'an 5:48), but does not provide a comprehensive political or judicial system.

8. No Sectarian Identity

No Mention of Sunni or Shia:
The Qur'an contains no references to Sunni or Shia identities, theological disputes, or leadership struggles.
No Imamate or Caliphate Doctrines:
Concepts such as the Imamate (Shia) or Caliphate (Sunni) are not found in the Qur'an.

9. What’s Missing Without Hadith?

Detailed Rituals:
Without Hadith, Muslims would not know the specifics of prayer movements, recitations, or fasting practices.
No Penal Laws or Governance Framework:
There would be no clear legal system or state authority. The criminal laws and governance structures would be missing.
No Social Regulations:
Rules regarding gender roles, the hijab, women’s inheritance, etc., are not found in the Qur'an.
No Biography of Muhammad:
The Qur'an offers little personal information about Muhammad. His battles, character, and interactions with his companions are largely absent without the Hadith.

Conclusion: A Minimalist Spiritual Movement

If we only had the Qur'an, Islam would resemble a minimalist spiritual movement focused on monotheism, morality, and accountability in the afterlife. It would be a simpler, more personal faith, without the legal, political, and social structures we associate with Islam today.

This version of Islam is deeply centered on the worship of one God and personal spiritual development, without the complex laws, rituals, and theological disputes that developed over centuries.