بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ
Hadith is everything that comes from the Prophet Muhammad in the form of qaul [word], fi'il [deeds], taqrir [penyatapan] which is the basis of Islamic law [syariat].
But ulema Ushul Fiqh, limits the notion of hadith only on qaul or "the words of Prophet Muhammad SAW relating to the law".
Whereas if it includes fi'il [deeds] and taqrir [determination] relating to the law, then these three things they are named by the Sunnah.
Not all the actions of the Prophet Muhammad are the source of the law that must be followed by his people, such as the deeds and sayings of Muhammad in the pre-apostolic era.
The Hadith or Sunnah is used as a source of law in Islam other than the Quran, Ijma and Qiyas, where in this case, the position of hadith is the second source of law after the Quran.
This includes what is mandatory and sunnah as it is commonly understood by the hadith. Also all what is recommended is not up to the obligatory degree which is the term of jurisprudence (See Al Hadith Hujjatun bi Nafsihi fil Aqaid wa al Ahkam by As Shaykh Muhammad Nashiruddin Al-Albani, p.11).
The Definition of Hadith Etymologically [language]
According to the word hadith has a meaning:
Al jadid minal asyya [something new], opposite of qodim. This includes something [word], either a lot or a little. [1]
Qorib [close]
Khabar [news], ie something that is conversed and transferred from one person to another and there is a possibility of right or wrong. [2]
From this meaning is taken the words of the hadith of the Prophet. [3]
The plural is hudtsan, hidtsan and ahadits. The plural of ahadith [plural that does not comply with qiyas and plural syad] is used plural hadith which means khabar from Rasulullah saw.
Therefore, the hadith of the Prophet is said to be ahadith al-Rosul not hudtsan al-Rosul or any other.
There are also those who argue that ahadith is not the plural of hadith, but is its plural.
In this case, Allah also uses the word hadith with the meaning of khabar, in the Qur'an letter At Thur verse 24:
فليأتوا بحديث مثله إن كانوا صادقين.
So let them bring the news that it seems if they are righteous
