The qualifying rounds for the third annual Hadith Nabawi Asharif Competition officially kicked off this Thursday in Addis Ababa. Organized by the Ethiopian branch of the Mohammed VI Foundation of African Ulema, the event has gathered around 40 participants from various regions across the country to showcase their religious knowledge.

Hosted in close partnership with the Ethiopian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, this initiative is being rolled out across all 48 branches of the Foundation. The central goal of the contest is to deepen public understanding of the Prophet’s Sunnah and highlight its essential role in Islamic law. Furthermore, the organizers hope to inspire younger generations across the African continent to actively engage with the Hadith, encouraging them to adopt the timeless and noble virtues of Prophet Mohammed (Peace and Blessings Be Upon Him).

To accommodate different levels of expertise, the Ethiopian contestants are evaluated across three specific categories:

  1. First Category: Participants must memorize 40 hadiths, including both the core text and the chain of transmission. For this level, they are not required to name the narrators or provide in-depth definitions of the vocabulary.
  2. Second Category: Candidates are tasked with reciting 35 hadiths. In this section, they must correctly identify the final narrator and demonstrate a clear understanding of the specific terms used in the text.
  3. Third Category: This level focuses on Islamic jurisprudence (Ahkam). Contestants must memorize 25 relevant hadiths and be able to clearly explain the legal lessons and practical benefits derived from them.

Beyond the competition itself, the event serves as a meaningful platform to reflect on a significant message recently delivered by King Mohammed VI (May God assist him), Commander of the Faithful. His Majesty’s letter, originally addressed to the Supreme Council of Ulema, was written to commemorate the 15th centenary of the Prophet’s birth and emphasizes the enduring importance of these teachings.

For the global Muslim community, the Hadith—which carefully documents the sayings, actions, and traditions of the Prophet—remains a fundamental pillar of the faith, providing crucial moral guidance and forming the basis of religious legislation.