Respect for Humanity

TAQLID AND IJTIHAD Respect for Humanity An incident involving the Prophet Muhammad  is narrated by various narrators in different collections of Hadith. In Sahih al-Bukhari, the incident is recorded as follows: “In Madinah, a funeral procession passed by the Prophet Muhammad while he was sitting. Upon seeing the procession, he stood up out of respect for it, and his Companions stood up with him. It was mentioned to him that it was a Jewish funeral (not that of a Muslim). He responded, ‘Was he not a human being?” (Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith No. 1312) Muhammad ibn Ismail al-Bukhari’s contribution is monumental, as he collected hundreds of thousands of Hadith and, through extraordinary effort, selected 7,563 Hadith (including repetitions) to compile the invaluable collection known as Sahih al-Bukhari. This work, regarded as the most authentic book after the Quran, stands as a singular achievement, unparalleled in its significance. However, future generations must not confine themselves to Al-Bukhari’s arrangement and categorization. For instance, Al-Bukhari included the aforementioned Hadith in the chapter on funerals (Kitab al-Jana’iz), under the subheading “The one who stands for a Jewish funeral.” If later generations interpret the Hadith solely through the lens of this chapter title, they will perceive it merely as a