16/22. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 1438e — Azl and Divine Decree
The ruling on coitus interrupts ('Azl)
Hadith About Azl and Divine Decree
Sahih Muslim : 1438e
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 1438e
وَحَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ الْمُثَنَّى، وَابْنُ، بَشَّارٍ قَالاَ حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ جَعْفَرٍ، ح وَحَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى، بْنُ حَبِيبٍ حَدَّثَنَا خَالِدٌ يَعْنِي ابْنَ الْحَارِثِ، ح وَحَدَّثَنِي مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ حَاتِمٍ، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الرَّحْمَنِ، بْنُ مَهْدِيٍّ وَبَهْزٌ قَالُوا جَمِيعًا حَدَّثَنَا شُعْبَةُ، عَنْ أَنَسِ بْنِ سِيرِينَ، بِهَذَا الإِسْنَادِ مِثْلَهُ غَيْرَ أَنَّ فِي حَدِيثِهِمْ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ فِي الْعَزْلِ " لاَ عَلَيْكُمْ أَنْ لاَ تَفْعَلُوا ذَاكُمْ فَإِنَّمَا هُوَ الْقَدَرُ " . وَفِي رِوَايَةِ بَهْزٍ قَالَ شُعْبَةُ قُلْتُ لَهُ سَمِعْتَهُ مِنْ أَبِي سَعِيدٍ قَالَ نَعَمْ .
Abu Sa'id Narrated from:
This hadith is reported on the authority of Abu Sa'id with the same chain of transmitters but with a slight variation (of words).
Reference : Sahih Muslim 1438eIn-book reference : Book 16, Hadith 150USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 8, Hadith 3375
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 1438e
This hadith about azl reports the same meaning from Abu Sa'id al-Khudri with a slight change in wording. The key message is that human action does not stand above qadar. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم is reported to have said about azl, "There is no harm if you do not do that, for it is qadar." The wording points the listener back to Allah’s decree in matters of birth and creation. The hadith does not give a long legal discussion here. It simply shows that people may plan, avoid, or fear a result, but the final matter belongs to what Allah has ordained. This makes the narration a focused reminder about azl, pregnancy, and divine decree.
What we learn from this hadith
- Birth and creation are tied to Allah’s decree.
- The narration connects azl with belief in qadar.
- A slight wording change can still preserve the same core meaning.
- The hadith keeps the focus on what Allah has ordained.
