The word Ḥikmah appears commonly throughout the Qur’an in the definitive form as Al Ḥikmah. If this means traditions and practices given exclusively to the Nabi Muḥammad, then that would mean Dawūd, Luqmān and ‘Īsa were following the actions and traditions (innovations outside the Qur’an) of the Nabi Muḥammad before he was even born.
Since Al Ḥikmah is in the singular and definitive form, not plural, there are two optional premises that Traditions must adhere to believe Ḥikmah is the “Sunnah of the Prophet” outside the Qur’an:
- That the Nabi had innovatory traditions and practices outside the Qur’an that were new in contrast to previous Anbiyah.
- That the previous Anbiyah were practicing these innovatory traditions and practices before even Nabi Muhammad was even born, because the Qur’an says they were also given Al-Hikmah.
To note, Al Ḥikmah itself is universal and singular, and so all Traditionalists have to apply this fact in their claim, which would imply that the Anbiyah before Muḥammad were practicing extra-Qur’anic innovations.
As per the logic of the Traditionalists, the Talmud “oral torah” is actually the “Sunnah” because Nabi Musa basically had access to Al Ḥikmah i.e. magical access to the brand-new “Sunnah” that would be revealed in the future i.e. practices and teachings exclusive to Nabi Muḥammad outside of the Qur’an, and so Nabi Musa preached these to the people as Al Ḥikmah, knowing it would be the “Sunnah” thousands of years later because the knowledge of it was given to him as Al Ḥikmah, because the Ahadith itself which contains the Al Ḥikmah of the Sunnah makes this insinuation, at best it is circular reasoning.
They believe the Ahadith books written after the Nabi Muḥammad are Al Ḥikmah, this limits Al Ḥikmah to a certain historical era. Even though the Qur’an tells us that Al Ḥikmah was given to every Messenger. Traditionalists make the justification that Al Ḥikmah that was given to every Messenger was their own separate “Sunnah”, insinuating that Al Ḥikmah isn’t Universal, Singular and Definitive.
The Qur’an is actually the Reminder (Adh-Dhikr) of Al Ḥikmah.
Say [O Muhammad], “I am not something new among the messengers, nor do I know what will be done with me or with you. I only follow that which is revealed to me, and I am not but a clear warner.” (Qur’an 46:9)
This is what We recite to you (O Muhammad SAW) of the Verses and the Wise Reminder (Adh-Dhikr Al-Hakeem) (i.e. the Quran). (Qur’an 3:58)
Verily We: It is We Who have sent down the Dhikr (Remembrance i.e. the Quran) and surely, We will guard it (from corruption). (Qur’an 15:9)
We have certainly sent down to you a Book (Kitab) in which is Remembrance (Adh-Dhikr). Then will you not reason? (Qur’an 21:10)
Ṣād. By the Qur’an possessing Remembrance (Adh-Dhikr)… (Qur’an 38:1)
And whoever is blinded from remembrance (Dhikr) of The Merciful- We appoint for him a devil, and he is to him a companion (Qareen). (Qur’an 43:36)