15/85. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 1371a — Warning Against Innovation in Medina
The virtue of Al-Madinah and the Prophet's Prayer for it to be blessed. Its sanctity and the sanctity of its game and trees. The Boundaries of its sanctuary
Hadith About Innovation in Sacred Medina
Sahih Muslim : 1371a
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 1371a
حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو بَكْرِ بْنُ أَبِي شَيْبَةَ، حَدَّثَنَا حُسَيْنُ بْنُ عَلِيٍّ الْجُعْفِيُّ، عَنْ زَائِدَةَ، عَنْ سُلَيْمَانَ، عَنْ أَبِي صَالِحٍ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ " الْمَدِينَةُ حَرَمٌ فَمَنْ أَحْدَثَ فِيهَا حَدَثًا أَوْ آوَى مُحْدِثًا فَعَلَيْهِ لَعْنَةُ اللَّهِ وَالْمَلاَئِكَةِ وَالنَّاسِ أَجْمَعِينَ لاَ يُقْبَلُ مِنْهُ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ عَدْلٌ وَلاَ صَرْفٌ " .
Abu Hurairah Narrated from:
Abu Huraira (Allah be pleased with him) reported Allah's Apostle (ﷺ) as saying: Medina is a sacred territory, so he who made any innovation in it. or gave protection to an innovator, there is upon him the curse of Allah, that of the angels and that of all the people. There would not be accepted on the Day of Resurrection either obligatory acts or supererogatory acts from him.
Reference : Sahih Muslim 1371aIn-book reference : Book 15, Hadith 534USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 7, Hadith 3166
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 1371a
This hadith about innovation in Medina gives a clear and serious warning. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said that Medina is a sacred territory. Because of that sacred status, making an innovation there or giving protection to an innovator is described as a grave act. The Hadith says such a person is under the curse of Allah, the angels, and all people, and that neither obligatory nor voluntary acts would be accepted from him on the Day of Resurrection. The explanation should not go beyond the text: the narration is not giving a long legal discussion of every form of innovation. It is stressing the sacredness of Medina and the need to protect it from harmful acts that violate its protected status.
What we learn from this hadith
- Medina is described as a sacred territory.
- The Hadith gives a strong warning against innovation in Medina.
- Sheltering an innovator in Medina is also condemned.
- Sacred places require extra care and respect.
