Quranism

Quranism (Arabic: القرآنية, romanized: al-Qurʾāniyya) is an intellectual theological movement within Islam. While sometimes broadly categorized alongside Islamic denominations, Quranism is defined by modern scholars and adherents as an intellectual, reformist, and theological movement that rejects the religious authority of Hadith, viewing the Qur'an as the sole self-sufficient source of Islamic doctrine and law. Quranists believe that the Qur'an is clear and complete and can be understood without recourse to external sources for divine legislation. Quranists hold varying positions on the status of Hadith. While some regard the Qur'an as the sole source and reject Hadith entirely, others may accept certain historical reports as secondary information. In all cases, however, Quranists agree that no Hadith can serve as a binding source of religious law or doctrine. The extent to which Quranists reject the authenticity of the Hadiths varies, though the most established groups of Quranism have thoroughly criticised the Hadith, the most prevalent being the Quranist claim that the Hadith is not mentioned in the Qur'an as a source of Islamic theology or practice, was not canonised until two centuries after the death of the Islamic prophet Muhammad, contains perceived errors and contradictions, and promotes sectarianism, anti-science, anti-reason, and misogyny. Quranists also believe that previous revelations of God have been altered, and that the Qur'an is the only book of God that has valid divine significance. As they believe that Hadith, while not being reliable sources of religion, can serve as historical records, Quranists cite some early Islamic writings in support of their positions, including those attributed to Muhammad, caliph Umar (r. 634–644) and materials dating to the Umayyad and Abbasid caliphates. Modern scholarship holds that controversy over the sufficiency of the Qur'an as the only source of Islamic law and doctrine dates back to the early centuries of Islam,...