Source: al-Usūl fi Fahmi Ahādīth ar-Rasūl by Dr. Muhammad ibn ‘Umar Bazmūl حفظه الله

﷽

It is not permissible to interpret a Prophetic Narrations using mere opinion; therefore, it is not permissible for anyone to indulge in speaking about its meanings without knowledge. The one who wishes to explain and interpret a hadīth using opinion, must apply principles that the people of knowledge have given significance to. That is why even the Salaf used to be cautious in speaking about the Prophetic Narrations, even the Scholars of Hadith were like this. The scholars of language used to be afraid to speak regarding the gharīb Prophetic Narrations.

Abū Qilāba ‘Abdul-Malik ibn Muhammad رحمه الله said: I said to al-Asma’ī; “Oh Abā Sa’īd, what is the meaning of the statement of the Prophet ﷺ: “The neighbor has more right than anyone else, due to his nearness (بِسَقَبِهِ)?”

So, he (al-Asma’ī) said: “I am not one who interprets the Narrations of the Messenger ﷺ, but the ‘Arabs claim that as-Saqab means al-Lazīq (adjacent, close by).”

The point is that he said: “I am not one who interprets the Narrations of the Messenger ﷺ, but the ‘Arabs claim that as-Saqab means al-Lazīq (adjacent, close by).”

The Prophetic Narrations have sanctity in the interpretation of their meaning, just like the Noble Qur’an.

Ibn-Taymiyyah رحمه الله said: “And from the general principles is; to know that expressions are of two types:

The first type is the one with which the Book and the Sunnah came with, therefore it is upon every believer to accept what is required of it. He affirms what Allāh and His messenger ﷺ affirm, and he negates what Allāh and His messenger ﷺ negated, so the expression which Allāh affirmed or negates are truth, and indeed Allāh speaks only the truth, and guides to the straight path. The Legislated expressions have a sanctity, and from the completeness of knowledge is to search for the Messenger’s ﷺ intended meaning those expressions, so as to affirm what he affirmed, and to negate what he has negated from its meanings, it is obligatory upon us to believe everything that he has informed us of, and to follow him in everything that he has imposed on us and ordered us with.”

The point is in his statement: “The Legislated expressions have a sanctity…” and this encompasses the Qur’ān and the Sunnah.

The Prophetic Narration has a sanctity that must be taken care of and protected, it is not to be taken to be like the speech of (average) people that anyone comments on and interprets.

And from the sanctity of the Noble Qur’ān is the sanctity of the Prophetic Narrations, and from the sanctity of the Prophetic Narration is the sanctity of the Qur’ān. So, just like the interpretation of the Qur’ān is not allowed using opinion, likewise it is not allowed to interpret the Prophetic Narrations using opinion.