plural hadith or hadiths also ahadith ˌä-hə-ˈdēth How to pronounce hadith (audio)
often capitalized
1
: a narrative record of the sayings or customs of Muhammad and his companions
2
: the collective body of traditions relating to Muhammad and his companions

Examples of hadith in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Referenced frequently in Islamic tradition and hadith – records of something the Prophet Muhammad said, did or tacitly approved of – it is believed that while in Mecca, Muhammad originally oriented his community’s prayers toward Al-Aqsa. Ken Chitwood, The Conversation, 9 Oct. 2023 Recently, Islamic environmental activists have highlighted the numerous hadith – sayings of the Prophet Muhammad that provide guidance to followers of the faith – that emphasize that Muslims should avoid excess, respect resources and living things, and consume in moderation. Noorzehra Zaidi, The Conversation, 21 Mar. 2023

Word History

Etymology

Arabic ḥadīth, literally, speech, report

First Known Use

1737, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of hadith was in 1737

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Cite this Entry

“Hadith.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hadith. Accessed 21 Mar. 2025.

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