1/68. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 150b — Islam and Iman in Speech
Being kind to one for whose faith there is concern because it is weak; Prohibition of attributing Faith to someone without definitive evidence
Islam and Iman Hadith: Why the Prophet Said “Or a Muslim”
Sahih Muslim : 150b
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 150b
حَدَّثَنِي زُهَيْرُ بْنُ حَرْبٍ، حَدَّثَنَا يَعْقُوبُ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، حَدَّثَنَا ابْنُ أَخِي ابْنِ شِهَابٍ، عَنْ عَمِّهِ، قَالَ أَخْبَرَنِي عَامِرُ بْنُ سَعْدِ بْنِ أَبِي وَقَّاصٍ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، سَعْدٍ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم أَعْطَى رَهْطًا وَسَعْدٌ جَالِسٌ فِيهِمْ قَالَ سَعْدٌ فَتَرَكَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم مِنْهُمْ مَنْ لَمْ يُعْطِهِ وَهُوَ أَعْجَبُهُمْ إِلَىَّ فَقُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ مَا لَكَ عَنْ فُلاَنٍ فَوَاللَّهِ إِنِّي لأَرَاهُ مُؤْمِنًا . فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " أَوْ مُسْلِمًا " . قَالَ فَسَكَتُّ قَلِيلاً ثُمَّ غَلَبَنِي مَا أَعْلَمُ مِنْهُ فَقُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ مَا لَكَ عَنْ فُلاَنٍ فَوَاللَّهِ إِنِّي لأَرَاهُ مُؤْمِنًا فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " أَوْ مُسْلِمًا " . قَالَ فَسَكَتُّ قَلِيلاً ثُمَّ غَلَبَنِي مَا عَلِمْتُ مِنْهُ فَقُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ مَا لَكَ عَنْ فُلاَنٍ فَوَاللَّهِ إِنِّي لأَرَاهُ مُؤْمِنًا . فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " أَوْ مُسْلِمًا . إِنِّي لأُعْطِي الرَّجُلَ وَغَيْرُهُ أَحَبُّ إِلَىَّ مِنْهُ خَشْيَةَ أَنْ يُكَبَّ فِي النَّارِ عَلَى وَجْهِهِ " .
Sa'd Narrated from:
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) bestowed upon a group of persons (things), and Sa'd was sitting amongst them. Sa'd said: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) ignored some of them. And he who was ignored seemed to be more deserving in my eyes (as compared with others). I (Sa'd) said: Messenger of Allah I why is it that you did not give to such and such (man)? Verily I see him a believer. Upon this the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) observed: Or a Muslim?I kept quiet for some time but I was again impelled (to express) what I knew about him. I said: Messenger of Allah why is it that you did not give it to such and such? Verily, by Allah, see him a believer. Upon this the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) remarked: (Nay, not a believer) but a Muslim.He (Sa'd) said: I again kept quiet for some time but what I knew about him again impelled me (to express my opinion) and I said: Why is it that you did not give (the share) to so and so: By Allah, verily I see him a believer. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) remarked; (Nay, not so) but a Muslim. Verily (at times) I give (a share) to a certain man apprehending that he may not be thrown prostrate in the Fire, whereas the other man (who is not given) is dearer to me (as compared with him).
Reference : Sahih Muslim 150bIn-book reference : Book 1, Hadith 286USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 1, Hadith 277
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 150b
This narration gives more detail to the Muslim or believer hadith. Sa'd saw that the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) gave to a group but left out someone Sa'd thought was more deserving. Sa'd said he saw that man as a believer. The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) replied, “Or a Muslim?” This happened more than once. The repeated correction shows that the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) wanted Sa'd to be careful with the word believer. The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) then explained that he may give to a certain man out of fear that he may be thrown into the Fire, while another man who is not given may be dearer to him. This hadith teaches that what we see outwardly is not the same as knowing a person’s inner faith.
What we learn from this hadith
- Repeated correction shows the importance of careful religious wording.
- A person may seem deserving to us, but the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) knew how to act with wisdom.
- Giving someone wealth does not always show higher status.
- The hadith teaches caution when speaking about another person’s iman.
