93/40. Chapter:
Sahih Bukhari 7195 — Interpreters and Written Communication
The translators of a ruler
Hadith About Interpreters in Islamic Judgment
Sahih Bukhari : 7195
Sahih BukhariHadith Number 7195
وَقَالَ خَارِجَةُ بْنُ زَيْدِ بْنِ ثَابِتٍ عَنْ زَيْدِ بْنِ ثَابِتٍ، أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم أَمَرَهُ أَنْ يَتَعَلَّمَ كِتَابَ الْيَهُودِ، حَتَّى كَتَبْتُ لِلنَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم كُتُبَهُ، وَأَقْرَأْتُهُ كُتُبَهُمْ إِذَا كَتَبُوا إِلَيْهِ، وَقَالَ عُمَرُ وَعِنْدَهُ عَلِيٌّ وَعَبْدُ الرَّحْمَنِ وَعُثْمَانُ مَاذَا تَقُولُ هَذِهِ قَالَ عَبْدُ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنُ حَاطِبٍ فَقُلْتُ تُخْبِرُكَ بِصَاحِبِهِمَا الَّذِي صَنَعَ بِهِمَا. وَقَالَ أَبُو جَمْرَةَ كُنْتُ أُتَرْجِمُ بَيْنَ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ وَبَيْنَ النَّاسِ. وَقَالَ بَعْضُ النَّاسِ لاَ بُدَّ لِلْحَاكِمِ مِنْ مُتَرْجِمَيْنِ.
Zaid bin Thabit Narrated from:
The Prophet (ﷺ) ordered me to learn the writing of the Jews. I even wrote letters for the Prophet (ﷺ) (to the Jews) and also read their letters when they wrote to him. And 'Umar said in the presence of 'Ali, 'Abdur-Rahman, and 'Uthman, "What is this woman saying?" (the woman was non-Arab) 'Abdur-Rahman bin Hatib said: "She is informing you about her companion who has committed illegal sexual intercourse with her." Abu Jamra said, "I was an interpreter between Ibn 'Abbas and the people." Some people said, "A ruler should have two interpreters."
[1] The woman was a non-Arab.Reference : Sahih al-Bukhari 7195In-book reference : Book 93, Hadith 56USC-MSA web (English) reference : Vol. 1, Book 89, Hadith 303
Summary of Sahih Bukhari Hadith 7195
This hadith about interpreters shows the need for clear communication in leadership and judgment. Zaid bin Thabit said that the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم ordered him to learn the writing of the Jews. Zaid then wrote letters for the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم and read their letters when they wrote to him. The report also mentions Umar asking what a non-Arab woman was saying, and someone explaining her statement. Abu Jamra also said he used to translate between Ibn Abbas and the people. The main message is simple: when language is a barrier, a trusted interpreter helps the truth become clear. This is especially needed in official matters where misunderstanding can affect judgment.
What we learn from this hadith
- Trusted language skills can serve religious and public needs.
- Clear translation helps leaders understand people correctly.
- Written communication should be handled by reliable people.
- A ruler or judge may need interpreters to avoid misunderstanding.
