nonQuranic

NonQuranic is a term used informally to denote material or claims that originate outside the Quran. In scholarly and public discussions, it typically refers to sources of information, interpretation, or tradition that are not part of the Qur’anic text itself. The label is not standard in formal Islamic studies; more common phrases include non-Quranic sources, post-Quranic literature, or non-Quranic evidence.

The scope of nonQuranic material can be broad. It includes the Hadith collections and other Sunnah transmissions, historical biographies (such as Sirah and Maghazi), early tafsir that cites authorities beyond the Qur’an, as well as fiqh treatises, poetry, legends, and local customs. These sources often inform jurisprudence, theology, and historical understanding, but they vary in reliability and authority.

In evaluation, scholars apply criteria such as the chain of transmission (isnad), manuscript credibility, linguistic integrity, and contextual plausibility. Because the Quran is regarded as the primary revelation, nonQuranic sources are typically treated as supplementary, and their claims are weighed against the Qur’an and established doctrinal norms rather than binding in themselves.

Usage across traditions varies. Sunni and Shia scholars both rely on non-Quranic materials, but different schools and periods accord them different levels of authority. The nonQuranic category also encompasses methodological debates about how to reconcile or integrate external sources with Qur’anic interpretation.

Terminology should be used with care. Many scholars prefer explicit descriptors such as non-Quranic hadith, non-Quranic sources, or post-Quranic literature to avoid ambiguity.