65/5.6. Chapter:
Sahih Bukhari 4611 — Qisas, Compensation, and Oaths
Allah's Statement: "...And wounds, equal for equal (A1-Qisas i.e., the law of equality in punishment)..." (V.5:45)
Hadith About Qisas, Compensation, and a Fulfilled Oath
Sahih Bukhari : 4611
Sahih BukhariHadith Number 4611
حَدَّثَنِي مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ سَلاَمٍ، أَخْبَرَنَا الْفَزَارِيُّ، عَنْ حُمَيْدٍ، عَنْ أَنَسٍ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ قَالَ كَسَرَتِ الرُّبَيِّعُ ـ وَهْىَ عَمَّةُ أَنَسِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ ـ ثَنِيَّةَ جَارِيَةٍ مِنَ الأَنْصَارِ، فَطَلَبَ الْقَوْمُ الْقِصَاصَ، فَأَتَوُا النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَأَمَرَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم بِالْقِصَاصِ. فَقَالَ أَنَسُ بْنُ النَّضْرِ عَمُّ أَنَسِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ لاَ وَاللَّهِ لاَ تُكْسَرْ سِنُّهَا يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ. فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " يَا أَنَسُ كِتَابُ اللَّهِ الْقِصَاصُ ". فَرَضِيَ الْقَوْمُ وَقَبِلُوا الأَرْشَ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " إِنَّ مِنْ عِبَادِ اللَّهِ مَنْ لَوْ أَقْسَمَ عَلَى اللَّهِ لأَبَرَّهُ ".
Anas Narrated from:
Ar-Rubai (the paternal aunt of Anas bin Malik) broke the incisor tooth of young Ansari girl. Her family demanded the Qisas and they came to the Prophet (ﷺ) who passed the judgment of Qisas. Anas bin An-Nadr (the paternal uncle of Anas bin Malik) said, "O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)! By Allah, her tooth will not be broken."The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "O Anas! (The law prescribed in) Allah's Book is Qisas." But the people (i.e. the relatives of the girl) gave up their claim and accepted a compensation. On that Allah's Apostle said, "Some of Allah's worshippers are such that if they take an oath, Allah will fulfill it for them."
Reference : Sahih al-Bukhari 4611In-book reference : Book 65, Hadith 133USC-MSA web (English) reference : Vol. 6, Book 60, Hadith 135
Summary of Sahih Bukhari Hadith 4611
This Hadith about Qisas tells of Ar-Rubai, who broke the incisor tooth of a young Ansari girl. The girl’s family demanded Qisas, and the Prophet passed judgment according to Qisas. Anas bin An-Nadr then swore that her tooth would not be broken. The Prophet reminded him, “Allah’s Book is Qisas.” After that, the people gave up their claim and accepted compensation. Then Allah’s Messenger said that some of Allah’s worshippers are such that if they take an oath, Allah fulfills it for them. The Hadith holds two points together. The law of Qisas is affirmed, and the acceptance of compensation also appears in the story. It also honors the sincere oath of a servant without denying the legal judgment first given.
What we learn from this hadith
- The Prophet affirmed Qisas as the judgment in the case.
- The injured family later gave up the claim and accepted compensation.
- Anas bin An-Nadr’s oath was fulfilled through the family’s acceptance.
- The Hadith shows both legal right and the possibility of settlement in this case.
