World Blog by humble servant.LET US USE OUR BRAINS Let us look at "the most authentic Hadith;" one that was supposedly witnessed by 100,000 companions of the Prophet. These 100,000 people included Abu Bakr, Omar, Uthmaan, Ali, and the rest. While other Hadiths were witnessed by only a few people, this one famous Hadith was witnessed by all the Muslims. It is the Prophet's Hadith of the famous "Khutbat Al-Wadaa` " (The Farewell Sermon). We have three different "authentic" versions of this famous Hadith.

LET US USE OUR BRAINS
Let us look at "the most authentic Hadith;" one that was supposedly witnessed by 100,000 companions of the Prophet. These 100,000 people included Abu Bakr, Omar, Uthmaan, Ali, and the rest. While other Hadiths were witnessed by only a few people, this one famous Hadith was witnessed by all the Muslims. It is the Prophet's Hadith of the famous "Khutbat Al-Wadaa` " (The Farewell Sermon). We have three different "authentic" versions of this famous Hadith.

[1] According to the Muwatta', one of the most respected sources of authentic Hadith, the Prophet said at Khutbat Al Wadaa`:

I am leaving for you two things that you must uphold strongly; the Quran and my Sunnah.

[2] According to Muslim (44/4, No. 2408), a very respected source of Hadith, and Ibn Hanbal (4/366), even more respected, the Prophet said at Khutbat Al-Wadaa, as witnessed by 100,000 companions:

I am leaving for you two things that you must uphold strongly; the Quran ands my family.

[3]According to  Muslim (15/19, No. 1218) and Ibn Majah (25/84, #3074), very very respected sources, what the Prophet really said was:

I am leaving for you the Quran -- only the Quran.  You shall uphold it strongly.

There you have it. Now, what did the Prophet really say? The Quran, the whole Quran, and nothing but the Quran.