6/52. Chapter:
Sunan Ibn Majah 1586 — Restraint During Calamity
What was narrated concerning the prohibition of striking one’s cheeks and tearing one’s garment
Restraint During Calamity in Islam
Sunan Ibn Majah : 1586
Sunan Ibn MajahHadith Number 1586
حَدَّثَنَا أَحْمَدُ بْنُ عُثْمَانَ بْنِ حَكِيمٍ الأَوْدِيُّ، حَدَّثَنَا جَعْفَرُ بْنُ عَوْنٍ، عَنْ أَبِي الْعُمَيْسِ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ أَبَا صَخْرَةَ، يَذْكُرُ عَنْ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنِ يَزِيدَ، وَأَبِي، بُرْدَةَ قَالاَ: لَمَّا ثَقُلَ أَبُو مُوسَى أَقْبَلَتِ امْرَأَتُهُ أُمُّ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ تَصِيحُ بِرَنَّةٍ فَأَفَاقَ فَقَالَ لَهَا: أَوَ مَا عَلِمْتِ أَنِّي بَرِيءٌ مِمَّنْ بَرِئَ مِنْهُ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ وَكَانَ يُحَدِّثُهَا أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ قَالَ: " أَنَا بَرِيءٌ مِمَّنْ حَلَقَ وَسَلَقَ وَخَرَقَ " .
'Abdur-Rahman bin Yazid and Abu Burdah Narrated from:
When Abu Musa fell sick, his wife Umm ‘Abdullah started to wail loudly. He woke up and said to her: ‘Do you not know that I am innocent of those whom the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) declared innocence of?’ And he told her that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: ‘I am innocent of those who shave their heads, raise their voices and tear their garments (at times of calamity).’”
Reference : Sunan Ibn Majah 1586In-book reference : Book 6, Hadith 154English translation : Vol. 1, Book 6, Hadith 1586
Summary of Sunan Ibn Majah Hadith 1586
This hadith about restraint during calamity shows Abu Musa correcting his wife when she began to wail loudly during his serious illness. He reminded her of the Prophet’s صلى الله عليه وسلم statement: “I am innocent of those who shave their heads, raise their voices and tear their garments.” The narration focuses on actions done at times of calamity. It warns against loud wailing, tearing clothes, and other grief practices that show a lack of control. The hadith does not deny pain, fear, or sadness. It teaches that even in a painful moment, a believer should avoid actions that the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم disowned. Grief should stay within the path of Islam.
What we learn from this hadith
- Raising the voice in wailing during calamity is warned against.
- Tearing garments at times of loss is not acceptable.
- A believer should remind family members of prophetic guidance.
- Calamity should not lead to actions disowned by the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم.
