65/4.18. Chapter:
Sahih Bukhari 4591 — Do Not Deny One Who Offers Peace
"And say not to anyone who greets you (by embracing Islam), 'You are not a believer..." (V.4:94)
Hadith About Accepting Peace and Protecting Life
Sahih Bukhari : 4591
Sahih BukhariHadith Number 4591
حَدَّثَنِي عَلِيُّ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ، حَدَّثَنَا سُفْيَانُ، عَنْ عَمْرٍو، عَنْ عَطَاءٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ ـ رضى الله عنهما ـ {وَلاَ تَقُولُوا لِمَنْ أَلْقَى إِلَيْكُمُ السَّلاَمَ لَسْتَ مُؤْمِنًا}. قَالَ قَالَ ابْنُ عَبَّاسٍ كَانَ رَجُلٌ فِي غُنَيْمَةٍ لَهُ فَلَحِقَهُ الْمُسْلِمُونَ فَقَالَ السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكُمْ، فَقَتَلُوهُ وَأَخَذُوا غُنَيْمَتَهُ، فَأَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ فِي ذَلِكَ إِلَى قَوْلِهِ {عَرَضَ الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا} تِلْكَ الْغُنَيْمَةُ. قَالَ قَرَأَ ابْنُ عَبَّاسٍ السَّلاَمَ.
Ibn 'Abbas Narrated from:
Regarding the Verse: "And say not to anyone who offers you peace (by accepting Islam), You are not a believer." There was a man amidst his sheep. The Muslims pursued him, and he said (to them) "Peace be on you." But they killed him and took over his sheep. Thereupon Allah revealed in that concern, the above Verse up to:-- "...seeking the perishable good of this life." (4.94) i.e. those sheep.
Reference : Sahih al-Bukhari 4591In-book reference : Book 65, Hadith 113USC-MSA web (English) reference : Vol. 6, Book 60, Hadith 115
Summary of Sahih Bukhari Hadith 4591
This Hadith explains the verse, “Do not say to anyone who offers you peace, ‘You are not a believer.’” Ibn Abbas says there was a man with his sheep. The Muslims pursued him, and he said, “Peace be on you.” They still killed him and took his sheep. Then Allah revealed the verse up to the words about seeking the perishable goods of this life, meaning those sheep. The main topic is the sanctity of life and the sign of peace. The Hadith clearly warns against ignoring a person’s greeting of peace and treating worldly gain as a reason to harm him. It also shows that wealth taken in such a setting is not a small matter. The teaching should remain tied to the text: the man offered peace, yet he was killed and his sheep were taken.
What we learn from this hadith
- A person who offers peace should not be dismissed as not being a believer.
- The Hadith warns against killing for worldly gain.
- The sheep are identified as the perishable goods of this life.
- Allah revealed guidance about this specific wrong action.
