12/47. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 1063a — Trusting Prophetic Justice
The Khawarij and their attributes
Hadith About Trusting the Prophet’s Justice
Sahih Muslim : 1063a
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 1063a
حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ رُمْحِ بْنِ الْمُهَاجِرِ، أَخْبَرَنَا اللَّيْثُ، عَنْ يَحْيَى بْنِ سَعِيدٍ، عَنْ أَبِي، الزُّبَيْرِ عَنْ جَابِرِ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ، قَالَ أَتَى رَجُلٌ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم بِالْجِعْرَانَةِ مُنْصَرَفَهُ مِنْ حُنَيْنٍ وَفِي ثَوْبِ بِلاَلٍ فِضَّةٌ وَرَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقْبِضُ مِنْهَا يُعْطِي النَّاسَ فَقَالَ يَا مُحَمَّدُ اعْدِلْ . قَالَ " وَيْلَكَ وَمَنْ يَعْدِلُ إِذَا لَمْ أَكُنْ أَعْدِلُ لَقَدْ خِبْتَ وَخَسِرْتَ إِنْ لَمْ أَكُنْ أَعْدِلُ " . فَقَالَ عُمَرُ بْنُ الْخَطَّابِ رضى الله عنه دَعْنِي يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ فَأَقْتُلَ هَذَا الْمُنَافِقَ . فَقَالَ " مَعَاذَ اللَّهِ أَنْ يَتَحَدَّثَ النَّاسُ أَنِّي أَقْتُلُ أَصْحَابِي إِنَّ هَذَا وَأَصْحَابَهُ يَقْرَءُونَ الْقُرْآنَ لاَ يُجَاوِزُ حَنَاجِرَهُمْ يَمْرُقُونَ مِنْهُ كَمَا يَمْرُقُ السَّهْمُ مِنَ الرَّمِيَّةِ " .
Jabir b. Abdullah reported that a person came to the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) at Jirana on his way back from Hunain, and there was in the clothes of Bilal some silver. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) took a handful out of that and bestowed it upon the people. He (the person who had met the Prophet at Ji'rana) said to him: Muhammad, do justice. He (the Holy Prophet) said: Woe be upon thee, who would do justice if I do not do justice, and you would be very unfortunate and a loser if I do not do justice. Upon this Umar b. Khattab (Allah be pleased with him) said: Permit me to kill this hypocrite. Upon this he (the Holy Prophet) said: May there be protection of Allah! People would say that I kill my companions. This man and his companions would recite the Qur'an but it would not go beyond their throat, and they swerve from it just as the arrow goes through the prey.
Reference : Sahih Muslim 1063aIn-book reference : Book 12, Hadith 186USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 5, Hadith 2316
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 1063a
This hadith about trusting the Prophet’s justice takes place at Ji'rana after Hunain. The Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم was giving silver to people when a man said, “Muhammad, do justice.” The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم answered strongly, asking who would do justice if he did not. Umar wanted permission to kill the man, but the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم refused, saying people would claim he killed his companions. Then he warned that this man and his companions would recite the Qur’an, yet it would not go beyond their throats. The hadith warns against a dangerous gap between outward recitation and real guidance. It also shows the Prophet’s care in avoiding public misunderstanding.
What we learn from this hadith
- A believer should not rush to accuse the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم of injustice.
- Outward Qur’an recitation is not enough if it does not shape the heart and conduct.
- The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم avoided an action that could make people spread a harmful claim.
- Strong words and religious appearance can still hide a serious inner problem.
