93/26. Chapter:
Sahih Bukhari 7176 — Collective Consent
‘Urafa appointed to look after the people
Hadith About Collective Consent and Freeing Captives
Sahih Bukhari : 7176
Sahih BukhariHadith Number 7176
حَدَّثَنَا إِسْمَاعِيلُ بْنُ أَبِي أُوَيْسٍ، حَدَّثَنِي إِسْمَاعِيلُ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، عَنْ عَمِّهِ، مُوسَى بْنِ عُقْبَةَ قَالَ ابْنُ شِهَابٍ حَدَّثَنِي عُرْوَةُ بْنُ الزُّبَيْرِ، أَنَّ مَرْوَانَ بْنَ الْحَكَمِ، وَالْمِسْوَرَ بْنَ مَخْرَمَةَ، أَخْبَرَاهُ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ حِينَ أَذِنَ لَهُمُ الْمُسْلِمُونَ فِي عِتْقِ سَبْىِ هَوَازِنَ " إِنِّي لاَ أَدْرِي مَنْ أَذِنَ مِنْكُمْ مِمَّنْ لَمْ يَأْذَنْ، فَارْجِعُوا حَتَّى يَرْفَعَ إِلَيْنَا عُرَفَاؤُكُمْ أَمْرَكُمْ ". فَرَجَعَ النَّاسُ فَكَلَّمَهُمْ عُرَفَاؤُهُمْ، فَرَجَعُوا إِلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَأَخْبَرُوهُ أَنَّ النَّاسَ قَدْ طَيَّبُوا وَأَذِنُوا.
`Urwa bin Az-Zubair Narrated from:
Marwan bin Al-Hakam and Al-Miswar bin Makhrama told him that when the Muslims were permitted to set free the captives of Hawazin, Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "I do not know who amongst you has agreed (to it) and who has not. Go back so that your 'Urafa' may submit your decision to us." So the people returned and their 'Urafa' talked to them and then came back to Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) and told him that the people had given their consent happily and permitted (their captives to be freed).
Reference : Sahih al-Bukhari 7176, 7177In-book reference : Book 93, Hadith 40USC-MSA web (English) reference : Vol. 9, Book 89, Hadith 288
Summary of Sahih Bukhari Hadith 7176
This hadith teaches the value of clear collective consent. When the Muslims were permitted to set free the captives of Hawazin, the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said that he did not know who had agreed and who had not. Instead of assuming everyone’s approval, he told them to return so their leaders, called Urafa, could submit their decision. The people went back, their Urafa spoke with them, and then they returned to tell the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم that the people had happily given permission. This hadith about collective consent shows care for people’s rights and decisions. It also shows that leaders should not rush when others’ property or claims are involved. Clear communication protects fairness.
What we learn from this hadith
- Consent should be clear when people’s rights are involved.
- A leader should not assume agreement without checking.
- Representatives can help gather and report a group’s decision.
- Freeing captives was done here with the people’s willing permission.
