67/46. Chapter:
Sahih Bukhari 5143 — Avoid Suspicion and Respect Proposals
None should ask for the hand of a lady who is already engaged to his brother (Muslim)
Hadith About Suspicion, Spying, Brotherhood, and Engagement
Sahih Bukhari : 5143
Sahih BukhariHadith Number 5143
حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ بُكَيْرٍ، حَدَّثَنَا اللَّيْثُ، عَنْ جَعْفَرِ بْنِ رَبِيعَةَ، عَنِ الأَعْرَجِ، قَالَ قَالَ أَبُو هُرَيْرَةَ يَأْثُرُ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ " إِيَّاكُمْ وَالظَّنَّ، فَإِنَّ الظَّنَّ أَكْذَبُ الْحَدِيثِ، وَلاَ تَجَسَّسُوا، وَلاَ تَحَسَّسُوا، وَلاَ تَبَاغَضُوا، وَكُونُوا إِخْوَانًا ". وَلَا يَخْطُبُ الرَّجُلُ عَلَى خِطْبَةِ أَخِيهِ حَتَّى يَنْكِحَ أَوْ يَتْرُكَ
Abu Hurairah Narrated from:
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Beware of suspicion (about others), as suspicion is the falsest talk, and do not spy upon each other, and do not listen to the evil talk of the people about others' affairs, and do not have enmity with one another, but be brothers. And none should ask for the hand of a girl who is already engaged to his (Muslim) brother, but one should wait till the first suitor marries her or leaves her."
Reference : Sahih al-Bukhari 5143, 5144In-book reference : Book 67, Hadith 79USC-MSA web (English) reference : Vol. 7, Book 62, Hadith 74
Summary of Sahih Bukhari Hadith 5143
This Hadith brings together several manners that protect Muslim brotherhood. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم warned against suspicion because suspicion is the falsest talk. He also told people not to spy, not to seek out others’ hidden affairs, not to hate one another, and to be brothers. Then the Hadith connects this brotherhood to marriage proposals. A man should not ask for the hand of a girl already engaged to his Muslim brother. He should wait until the first suitor marries her or leaves her. This hadith about suspicion and engagement teaches that clean hearts, privacy, and respect are part of good Muslim conduct.
What we learn from this hadith
- Avoid suspicion because it can lead to false talk.
- Do not spy on people or chase their private matters.
- Hatred harms the brotherhood that Muslims are told to keep.
- Respect an existing proposal until it ends or the first suitor steps aside.
