When did the writing of Hadith begin, and is it true that it did not exist during the time of the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, as some innovators claim?

Every innovation (bid'ah) is a misguidance, as the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "Every innovation is a misguidance."

The official codification of the noble prophetic Hadith (definition) after the era of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, is not considered an innovation because the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, left its codification due to an impediment present during his time, which was the fear of mixing Hadith with the Qur'an. When this impediment was removed, its ruling ceased to apply.

Individual codification of Hadith began during the era of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, as he, peace and blessings be upon him, permitted some of his companions to write and commanded others to do so. Many authentic narrations attest to this, reaching the level of Tawatur (recurrent narration).

The Hadith that forbade writing were prohibitions initially due to the fear of mixing Hadith with the Qur'an or preoccupying the companions from the Qur'an. Thereafter, consensus was established on the permissibility and desirability of writing knowledge, and even its obligation for those who feared forgetting.

A group of companions wrote down what they heard from the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, in private scrolls, and writing became widespread and common.