Statistical frequency of quranic references in the works of hadith: an analytical study of the narratives of the prophet's early life

Reading the major works of hadith, one might come to realise that the use of Quranic references within the work of hadith is occasionally obscure or even, at times, inconsistent. Moreover, the frequency of references taken directly from the Quran itself fluctuates considerably. Observations on the use of Quranic references in the early hadith sources substantiate the fact that each of the authors of hadith employed greatly differing numbers of Quranic verses as an allusion to the Prophet�s life. This study aims to explore the statistical frequency of Quranic references employed in the works of hadith as specific reference to the narratives of the Prophet�s early life. The study is qualitative in nature in which textual analysis was employed as a major instrument for this study. The study in its finding confirms that hadith literature works have provided us with a plethora of information about Muhammad�s biography. With its decisive coverage of Muhammad�s biography, the literature offers the most cursory Quranic references to Muhammad�s early life. The rarity of these references, however, indicates the fragility of the connection between the Quran and a verifiable account of Muhammad�s early life. � IAEME Publication.