Difference Between the Quran and Hadith Qudsi (With Evidence)

Learn the difference between the Quran and Hadith Qudsi according to the Qur'an, authentic Sunnah, and the scholars of Ahlus-Sunnah. Understand their wording, authority, recitation, preservation, and rulings.

All perfect praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad ﷺ is His slave and Messenger.

Many Muslims hear the term Hadith Qudsi but are unsure how it differs from the Noble Quran. Although both are connected to revelation from Allah, they are not the same. Understanding this distinction helps preserve the unique status of the Quran while appreciating the importance of Hadith Qudsi.

What Is the Quran?

The Quran is the literal Speech (Kalam) of Allah. Both its wording and meaning are from Allah, revealed to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ through the Angel Jibril (Gabriel). It is preserved exactly as revealed, is recited as an act of worship, and forms the primary source of Islamic belief and law.

"Indeed, it is We who sent down the Reminder (the Quran), and indeed, We will surely preserve it."

Qur'an, Surah Al-Hijr 15:9

Every letter of the Quran is an act of worship to recite, and no one may imitate or produce anything equal to it.

What Is Hadith Qudsi?

Hadith Qudsi is a narration in which the Prophet ﷺ relates words whose meaning is from Allah. However, unlike the Quran, the wording is that of the Prophet ﷺ. These narrations usually begin with expressions such as, "Allah, the Most High, says..."

Hadith Qudsi is revelation from Allah in meaning, but it is not part of the Quran and does not share the rulings that are unique to the Quran.

The Prophet ﷺ narrated that Allah said: "O My servants, I have forbidden oppression for Myself and have made it forbidden among you, so do not oppress one another."

Sahih Muslim, 2577

Key Differences Between the Quran and Hadith Qudsi

1. Wording and meaning

The Quran: Both the wording and meaning are from Allah.
Hadith Qudsi: The meaning is from Allah, while the wording is from the Prophet ﷺ.

2. Recitation in Salah

Only the Quran may be recited as part of the prayer. Hadith Qudsi cannot replace any Quranic recitation in Salah.

3. Act of worship

Reciting the Quran is itself an act of worship for which every letter is rewarded. Although reading Hadith Qudsi is beneficial and rewarding as seeking Islamic knowledge, it does not carry the unique reward and rulings of Quranic recitation.

The Prophet ﷺ said: "Whoever recites one letter from the Book of Allah will receive one good deed, and each good deed is multiplied tenfold."

Jami' at-Tirmidhi, 2910 (Authentic)

4. Preservation

The Quran is divinely preserved by Allah and transmitted by mass narration (tawatur). Hadith Qudsi, like other hadith, is preserved through chains of narration and is classified as authentic (sahih), good (hasan), or weak (da'if) depending on the reliability of its narrators.

5. Challenge to mankind

The Quran is miraculous and inimitable. Allah challenged mankind and the jinn to produce anything like it, a challenge that remains unmatched. Hadith Qudsi does not carry this miraculous nature.

"Say: If mankind and the jinn gathered together to produce the like of this Quran, they could not produce the like of it, even if they assisted one another."

Qur'an, Surah Al-Isra 17:88

6. Touching while without wudu

The majority of scholars hold that a person should be in a state of purity before touching the Mushaf. This ruling is specific to the Quran and does not apply to books containing Hadith Qudsi.

Why Is Hadith Qudsi Important?

Hadith Qudsi contains noble teachings directly attributed to Allah in meaning. Many of these narrations emphasize Allah's mercy, forgiveness, justice, love for His believing servants, and encouragement to repent and perform righteous deeds.

Although Hadith Qudsi does not have the same status as the Quran, it remains an important part of the Sunnah and should be respected and studied alongside the authentic hadith of the Prophet ﷺ.

Shaykh Ibn 'Uthaymin (رحمه الله) said:

"The Quran differs from Hadith Qudsi in that the Quran is the revealed Word of Allah in both wording and meaning, whereas Hadith Qudsi is revelation in meaning and the wording is that of the Messenger ﷺ."

Sharh al-Arba'in al-Nawawiyyah

Conclusion

The Quran and Hadith Qudsi are both forms of revelation, but they are not equal in status. The Quran is Allah's literal Speech, preserved word-for-word, recited in worship, and miraculous in its language. Hadith Qudsi conveys meanings from Allah through the words of the Prophet ﷺ and is part of the authentic Sunnah, deserving respect and study but not sharing the unique rulings of the Quran.

And Allah knows best.