65/68.1. Chapter:
Sahih Bukhari 4917 — Meaning of Zanim in Surah Al-Qalam
"Cruel, and moreover base-born (of illegitimate birth)." (V.68:13)
(68) Surat al-Qalam (The Pen) (68) سورة ن وَالْقَلَمِ - بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ
Hadith About Surah Al-Qalam Tafsir and the Word Zanim
Sahih Bukhari : 4917
Sahih BukhariHadith Number 4917
حَدَّثَنَا مَحْمُودٌ، حَدَّثَنَا عُبَيْدُ اللَّهِ، عَنْ إِسْرَائِيلَ، عَنْ أَبِي حَصِينٍ، عَنْ مُجَاهِدٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ ـ رضى الله عنهما ـ {عُتُلٍّ بَعْدَ ذَلِكَ زَنِيمٍ} قَالَ رَجُلٌ مِنْ قُرَيْشٍ لَهُ زَنَمَةٌ مِثْلُ زَنَمَةِ الشَّاةِ.
Ibn 'Abbas Narrated from:
Narrated Ibn `Abbas: (regarding the Verse):--'Cruel after all that, base-born (of illegitimate birth).' (68.13)It was revealed in connection with a man from Quaraish who had a notable sign (Zanamah) similar to the notable sign which usually-hung on the neck of a sheep (to recognize it).
Reference : Sahih al-Bukhari 4917In-book reference : Book 65, Hadith 437USC-MSA web (English) reference : Vol. 6, Book 60, Hadith 439
Summary of Sahih Bukhari Hadith 4917
This Hadith about Surah Al-Qalam tafsir explains the phrase connected to the word zanim. Ibn Abbas said it referred to a man from Quraysh who had a notable sign like the mark that hangs on the neck of a sheep so it can be recognized. The narration is not giving a general story here. It is explaining a Qur’anic phrase through a specific description. For readers searching for the meaning of zanim in Hadith, the point is simple: Ibn Abbas connected the verse to a man known by a visible sign. The Hadith reminds us to stay close to transmitted explanation and not add details that are not in the text.
What we learn from this hadith
- Ibn Abbas explained the Qur’anic wording through a specific report.
- The narration identifies a visible sign connected with the person mentioned.
- Qur’an explanation should stay close to the transmitted wording.
