Some recorded oral tradition among Muslims (Arabic: hadith) is about Umar the second Caliph of Rashidun Caliphate, who ruled from 634 to 644 CE, and his ban on hadith.
Contents
Although the narration is prominently quoted and referred to, it is not given any formal name, in contrast to other hadith such as the Hadith of the pond of Khumm or the Hadith of Qur'an and Sunnah.
Introduction
Sunnis believe that the Prophet Muhammad himself proclaimed that no hadith were to be recorded, to ensure that people would not confuse any hadith with the Qur'an. This decision of Muhammad was rescinded later in his ministry. During Umar's reign as Caliph, hadith were in fact being recorded.
On the other hand, some sources dispute this account, and claim that it was Umar himself who was the first person to ban hadith collection - a view also upheld by Shias. Certainly during his rule Umar strictly followed the policy of banning the hadith and he prohibited reporting and transmission of hadith altogether. Whenever he sent a group to a city, he would prohibit them from narrating hadith.
This ban continued through the caliphate of the khulafa' rashidun into the Umayyad period and did not cease until the period of Umar ibn 'Abd al-'Aziz, who ruled from 717 to 720 CE.
Mainstream Muslim view
Muslims view this hadith as notable and important on several accounts: several prominent persons are mentioned in the hadith and several controversial issues are dealt with.
Sunni view
Muhammad Husayn Haykal
Dr. Mohammad Hamidullah
Shi'a view
Ali Asgher Razwy, a 20th century Shi'a Islamic scholar writes: