Part 2: Where Ḥadīth and Sharia Diverge 

Concrete cases where ḥadīth and Sharia diverge from scripture.

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The Qurʾān presents itself as the final, unalterable word of God, a book of guidance, law, and morality. It repeatedly asserts its clarity, sufficiency, and authority:

“This is the Book about which there is no doubt, a guidance for those conscious of God.” — Qurʾān 2:2
“We have sent down to you the Book as clarification for all things and guidance and mercy and good tidings for the Muslims.” — Qurʾān 16:89

Yet over centuries, the body of doctrines, legal codes, and ritual practices codified as “Islam” has departed from the Qurʾān in multiple areas, often directly contradicting its text or spirit. This post lets the Qurʾān speak for itself and juxtaposes it with later ḥadīth and Sharia rulings that diverge from it. No sugar-coating. No excuses. The plain truth is laid bare.

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1. Freedom of Belief and Apostasy

Qurʾān:

“There is no compulsion in religion. The right way has become distinct from error.” — 2:256
“If your Lord had willed, all on earth would have believed; would you then compel people so that they become believers?” — 10:99

Later doctrine:

“Whoever changes his religion, kill him.” — Bukhari 6922, Muslim 1676

Reality: The Qurʾān forbids compulsion in belief. The ḥadīth prescribes death for apostasy. This is a direct overruling of Qurʾānic guidance, enforced for centuries in Muslim societies.

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2. The Authority of Earlier Scriptures

Qurʾān:

“We sent down the Torah and the Gospel; therein was guidance and light.” — 5:46
“O People of the Book, you have nothing until you uphold the Torah and the Gospel and what was revealed to you from your Lord.” — 5:68

Later doctrine: Many scholars taught that the Torah and Gospel were corrupted and unreliable.

Reality: The Qurʾān explicitly affirms these scriptures. Later claims of corruption directly contradict Qurʾān.

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3. The Prophet’s Authority

Qurʾān:

“O Prophet, indeed We have sent you as a witness and a bringer of good tidings and a warner.” — 33:45–46
“Your duty is only to deliver (the message).” — 13:40

Later doctrine: The sunna, codified through ḥadīth, was treated as equal authority with the Qurʾān, prescribing laws the Qurʾān never authorized.

Reality: Treating the Prophet’s private actions as binding law overrides the Qurʾān.

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4. Punishment, Justice, and Social Laws

Qurʾān:

“God commands justice, the doing of good, and giving to relatives.” — 16:90
“And let not hatred of a people prevent you from being just. Be just; that is nearer to piety.” — 5:8

Later doctrine: Classical fiqh codified severe punishments, rigidly applied, often ignoring mercy, repentance, and proportionality.

Reality: The Qurʾān emphasizes restraint, forgiveness, and proportional justice. Classical punishments often overrule the Qurʾān’s moral guidance.

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5. Gender, Social Status, and Slavery

Qurʾān:

“The most noble of you in the sight of God is the most righteous.” — 49:13
“Whoever does good, whether male or female, while a believer — We will surely cause them to live a good life.” — 16:97
Encourages humane treatment of slaves and manumission.

Later doctrine:

• Male guardianship and hierarchical social restrictions

• Unequal inheritance beyond Qurʾān’s specification

• Institutionalized slavery with minimal enforcement of manumission

Reality: Sharia codification in these areas contradicts Qurʾān’s equality, justice, and humanitarian guidance.

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6. Blasphemy, Apostasy, and Coercion

Qurʾān:

“Do not revile those whom they call upon besides God, lest they revile God in enmity...” — 6:108

Later doctrine: Blasphemy laws criminalized speech, sometimes with capital punishment; apostasy punishments enforced coercion.

Reality: The Qurʾān advocates restraint, dialogue, and freedom of conscience. The enforcement of coercion directly contradicts scripture.

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7. Ḥadīth Overruling Qurʾān

Where ḥadīth prescribes something contrary to Qurʾān, it is often treated as binding, including:

• Death for apostasy (2:256 vs. Bukhari 6922)

• Punishments exceeding Qurʾān’s allowance

• Rituals or social rules beyond Qurʾān’s instruction

Reality: The ḥadīth overrides the Qurʾān, betraying scripture.

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8. Expanded Table of 30–40 Cases

Here are concrete, textual instances where ḥadīth/Sharia contradict the Qurʾān:

#	Qurʾān Verse	Contradicting Ḥadīth / Sharia Rule	Nature of Contradiction
1	2:256	Bukhari 6922 / Muslim 1676 – “Whoever changes his religion, kill him.”	Death for apostasy violates Qurʾān’s prohibition on compulsion.
2	10:99	Historical enforcement of apostasy penalties	Contradiction with Qurʾān’s absolute principle.
3	5:46	Medieval scholars claiming corruption of Torah/Gospel	Denies Qurʾān’s affirmation.
4	4:3	Polygamy allowed even when justice impossible	Overrules Qurʾān’s fairness requirement.
5	5:38	Amputation applied rigidly	Ignores Qurʾān’s mercy clause.
6	2:282	Female testimony extended to all legal matters	Exceeds Qurʾān’s explicit context.
7	49:13	Male guardianship / hierarchy	Contradicts Qurʾān’s equality principle.
8	16:97	Inheritance favoring males	Contradiction with Qurʾān’s equitable treatment.
9	6:108	Blasphemy laws criminalizing speech	Ignores Qurʾān’s restraint instruction.
10	16:90	Hudud punishments ignoring mercy	Contradicts Qurʾān’s emphasis on proportional justice.
11	2:184	Strict fasting enforced	Ignores Qurʾān’s allowances.
12	33:45–46	Sunna elevated to law	Overrides Qurʾān’s messenger-only role.
13	4:40	Ashʿarī determinism	Contradicts human accountability.
14	3:159	Punishment for dissent/rebellion	Ignores Qurʾān’s call for compassion.
15	9:6	Jihad laws permit killing of protected non-believers	Contradiction with Qurʾān’s protection mandate.
16	24:33	Slavery codified	Ignores Qurʾān’s encouragement of manumission.
17	2:286	Ḥadīth prescribing harsh penalties	Contradiction with Qurʾān’s proportionality.
18	5:8	Retaliatory systems	Contradicts Qurʾān’s impartial justice.
19	60:8	Restricting kindness to non-believers	Contradicts Qurʾān’s ethical instruction.
20	24:30–31	Strict veiling / segregation	Exceeds Qurʾān’s guidance on modesty.
21	16:90	Hudud applied without intent consideration	Contradiction with Qurʾān’s moral context.
22	4:19	Forced marriage	Contradicts Qurʾān’s requirement of consent.
23	2:229–230	Male-controlled divorce	Overrides Qurʾān’s fairness requirements.
24	5:32	Life is sacred	Killing apostates/non-Muslims contradicts Qurʾān.
25	3:159	Revenge punishments	Ignores Qurʾān’s preference for forgiveness.
26	4:135	Justice even against kin	Tribal favoritism violates Qurʾān.
27	33:35	Spiritual equality of women	Fiqh restrictions contradict Qurʾān.
28	16:90	Punishments without mercy	Contradiction with Qurʾān’s reform principle.
29	2:219	Alcohol discouraged but not punishable	Ḥadīth prescribes legal enforcement.
30	4:29	Do not consume wealth unjustly	Overly harsh taxation contradicts Qurʾān.
31	5:45	“Life for life” misapplied	Ignores Qurʾān’s proportionality.
32	9:71	Mutual community support	Gender segregation limits Qurʾān’s vision.
33	2:177	Charity inclusive	Fiqh restricts eligibility.
34	6:151	Avoid oppression	Harsh punishments violate Qurʾān.
35	4:34	Men as protectors, not rulers	Fiqh elevates male authority.
36	24:2	Adultery requires strict witness	Ḥadīth lowers evidence requirement.
37	5:45	Forgiveness preferred	Jurists emphasize automatic qisas.
38	4:36	Do good to neighbors	Restrictions on interaction violate Qurʾān.
39	33:21	Prophet as model of moderation	Sunna codifies excessive rituals.
40	2:267	Charity from lawful sources	Ḥadīth restricts forms unnecessarily.

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Conclusion

This table shows 30–40 explicit instances where classical Islamic law and ḥadīth override, contradict, or ignore the Qurʾān, spanning law, morality, social practice, and theology.

Plain truth: Wherever human interpretation or enforcement contradicts Qurʾān, it is a betrayal of scripture. The Qurʾān is the final authority, and no human system may override it without violating its guidance.

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Next is series Part 3 Detailed, case-by-case analysis