25/5. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 1637b — Bring Me a Shoulder Blade and Inkpot
Not Making A Will For One Who Has Nothing To Be Bequeathed
Hadith About Writing Guidance: The Shoulder Blade and Inkpot Report
Sahih Muslim : 1637b
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 1637b
حَدَّثَنَا إِسْحَاقُ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، أَخْبَرَنَا وَكِيعٌ، عَنْ مَالِكِ بْنِ مِغْوَلٍ، عَنْ طَلْحَةَ بْنِ مُصَرِّفٍ، عَنْ سَعِيدِ بْنِ جُبَيْرٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ، أَنَّهُ قَالَ يَوْمُ الْخَمِيسِ وَمَا يَوْمُ الْخَمِيسِ . ثُمَّ جَعَلَ تَسِيلُ دُمُوعُهُ حَتَّى رَأَيْتُ عَلَى خَدَّيْهِ كَأَنَّهَا نِظَامُ اللُّؤْلُؤِ . قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " ائْتُونِي بِالْكَتِفِ وَالدَّوَاةِ - أَوِ اللَّوْحِ وَالدَّوَاةِ - أَكْتُبْ لَكُمْ كِتَابًا لَنْ تَضِلُّوا بَعْدَهُ أَبَدًا " . فَقَالُوا إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَهْجُرُ .
Ibn 'Abbas Narrated from:
Thursday, and what about Thursday? Then tears began to flow until I saw them on his cheeks as it they were the strings of pearls. He (the narrator) said that Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said: Bring me a shoulder blade and ink-pot (or tablet and inkpot), so that I write for you a document (by following which) you would never go astray. They said: Allah's Messenger (may peace upon him) is in the state of unconsciousness.
Reference : Sahih Muslim 1637bIn-book reference : Book 25, Hadith 30USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 13, Hadith 4015
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 1637b
This hadith about writing guidance is a shorter report from Ibn Abbas. He remembered Thursday with deep grief, and his tears were described as flowing on his cheeks like strings of pearls. The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) asked for a shoulder blade and inkpot, or a tablet and inkpot, so that he could write a document after which they would not go astray. The people then said that Allah’s Messenger (صلى الله عليه وسلم) was in a state of unconsciousness. This narration is brief, so the explanation should not add claims outside it. It shows sorrow over a disputed moment, the Prophet’s wish to write guidance, and the serious nature of speaking carefully when the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) is present.
What we learn from this hadith
- Ibn Abbas remembered this event with deep sadness.
- The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) asked for writing material for guidance.
- The narration records what was said without adding the missing wider discussion.
- Careful speech around the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) is an important lesson from the scene.
