Re: How does one know?
So it's mostly the historical interpretation that determines what is obligatory, outside of the specific "do this" type narrations that someone quoted Muhammad as saying?
I know that Muslims are very proud and confident that the Quran is the unchanged, unchallenged word of God. So how does one reconcile that truthfulness, that is the basis of Islam, with the somewhat watered down decrees of hadith? Why would God have laid down the final, complete law and until this day there is discord amongst scholars about which actions are mandatory?
Another question is if Muhammad was just a man like the rest of us, made mistakes and committed sins, how could everything he ever said or did be considered the perfect example to follow. If everything God said to him is in the Quran, how did Muhammad know everything he did (that wasn't in the Quran) was THE way to do it according to God?
I ask these questions, not out of disrespect, but because I really cannot grasp the concept as hard I as I try or as much as I read. I have re-read the Quran recently, and I honestly don't understand this interpretation.
Peace Seminole
Muhammad (SAW) according to our beliefs was sinless, innocent, but was in a position where mistakes had been made now here is the wisdom in such things.
1) By making mistakes Muhammad (SAW) sought forgiveness, that showed us how to seek for forgiveness, if we did not have that example how can it be perfect?
2) By making mistakes Muhammd (SAW) was humble and knew that all Power belongs to Allah (SWT), now if Muhammad (SAW) was faultless then that Attribute would conflict with the Unique qualities of God, thus it would undermine the message of Tawhid.
Also we have been told within hadith who the best people were and who had the best understandings. That led to the development of classification of hadith and tafsir of Qur'an and hadith.
Coming back to the perfect example ... Logically a perfect example for mankind is something that is practical for mankind not idealistic for mankind. Mankind is itself full of faults, so how can someone be a perfect example for a faulty people if that someone is himself a different class of being? He will need to be part of us to be an example for us.