The Quran and Hadith are two fundamental sources of Islamic guidance and teachings, but they serve different roles and have distinct characteristics:

1. Quran:
   • The Quran is the holy book of Islam, believed to be the literal word of God (Allah) as revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) through the Angel Gabriel over a period of approximately 23 years.
   • It is considered the primary and most authoritative source of Islamic law and theology.
   • The Quran consists of 114 chapters or surahs, which are further divided into verses or ayahs. It covers a wide range of topics, including theology, morality, law, guidance for personal conduct, and stories of previous prophets.
   • The Quran is written in Arabic and is considered the ultimate source of divine guidance and the unaltered, preserved word of God. Translations are available in various languages, but they are considered interpretations and not the Quran itself.
   • It is recited and memorized by Muslims worldwide and holds a central place in Islamic worship, theology, and jurisprudence.
2. Hadith:
   • Hadith refers to the sayings, actions, approvals, and descriptions of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Hadiths are collected in books called Hadith collections or Hadith literature.
   • Hadiths provide additional context and elaboration on the teachings of the Quran. They help clarify how the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) implemented and practiced the guidance of the Quran in his daily life.
   • Hadiths are classified based on their authenticity, and scholars use rigorous criteria to determine their reliability. The most trusted collections of Hadith are known as the “Sahih” (authentic) collections.
   • Hadiths are used to derive Islamic jurisprudence (fiqh), provide insights into the Prophet’s character and conduct, and offer guidance on various aspects of life, including prayer, fasting, marriage, ethics, and more.
   • While the Quran is universally accepted by all Muslims, the Hadith collections may vary between Sunni and Shia Islam, as each tradition has its own set of authoritative Hadith collections.

In summary, the Quran is the primary source of Islamic guidance, considered the literal word of God, and is universally accepted by all Muslims. Hadiths, on the other hand, are the sayings and actions of the Prophet Muhammad and serve as a supplementary source of guidance and clarification of Quranic teachings, but their authenticity can vary.