Rainbow, yes I agree with you, many aspects within Islam contradict one another. I would like to comment on the things you said.
All of this presumes that the hadith are accurate records of Muhammad's words and deeds. But how could they be?
Here is where faith comes into play. This is the core of their whole religion. It cannot be removed. Compare this, I replaced some words.
Christianity:
All of this presumes that the Gospel accounts are accurate records of Jesus' words and deeds. But how could they be?
Is this not very much the same reasoning? This is called faith. A Christian will never say, ''well, we don't know if these accounts are really trustworthy, so let's forget the things Jesus said.'' And if they would do that, then they can no longer be Christians. Likewise, no Muslim will be willing to deny the words of their prophet. The ones that do, are not changing the religion, but making a complete new one. They are no longer Muslim.
But more importantly, as you pointed out, much of the hadith directly contradicts the Qur'an. The Qur'an is supposed to be the word of God, while the hadith are only the words of a man named Muhammad (maybe). If one conflicts with the other, which should a true Muslim obey?
Again, I would like to make a comparison, I change some words
For JW's:
Much of the Watchtower directly contradicts the Bible. The Bible is supposed to be the word of God, while the Watchtower are only the words of an organisation. If one conflicts with the other, which should a true JW obey?
Answer: JW's should obey the watchtower
For Mormons:
Much of the Book of Mormon directly contradicts the Bible. The Bible is supposed to be the word of God, while the Book of Mormon are only the words of a man named Joseph Smith If one conflicts with the other, which should a true Mormon obey?
Answer: Mormons should obey the Book of Mormon.
Examples for each one of them:
Watchtower says: We should shun apostates, whereas the Bible does not teach this. Which side do they choose? Watchtower!
Book of Mormon says: drinking alcohol is forbidden, whereas the Bible does not teach this. Which side to they choose? The Book of Mormon!
And now what this discussion is about, the Muslims:
Hadith says: kill apostates! The Quran does not (explicitly) teach this. Which side do they choose?
The Hadith!
I can completely agree with you that Muslims should not follow Hadith, but also do I say that I think JW's should not follow Watchtower and Mormons should not follow the Book of Mormon.
But what happens if a JW's rejects the watchtower? Is he just changing the religion or making a complete new one? The same with mormons. If they reject the Book of Mormon, it creates a whole new religion.
Likewise, if these Quranists reject the Hadith, they are not just changing Islam, but they are creating a new religion that is in no way how Islam really is.
Can a JW still be called a JW if he no longer follows the Watchtower? No.
Can a Mormon still be called a Mormon if he no longer follows the Book of Mormon? No.
Which brings us to the most important question.
Can a Muslim still be called a Muslim if he no longer follows the Hadith?
I leave this question open. I am interested in what you would answer there.