29/10. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 1709c — Pledge and Expiation
The Hadd punishments are an expiation for those on whom they are carried out
Hudud Expiation Hadith: Pledge to Avoid Major Sins
Sahih Muslim : 1709c
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 1709c
وَحَدَّثَنِي إِسْمَاعِيلُ بْنُ سَالِمٍ، أَخْبَرَنَا هُشَيْمٌ، أَخْبَرَنَا خَالِدٌ، عَنْ أَبِي قِلاَبَةَ، عَنْ أَبِي الأَشْعَثِ الصَّنْعَانِيِّ، عَنْ عُبَادَةَ بْنِ الصَّامِتِ، قَالَ أَخَذَ عَلَيْنَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم كَمَا أَخَذَ عَلَى النِّسَاءِ أَنْ لاَ نُشْرِكَ بِاللَّهِ شَيْئًا وَلاَ نَسْرِقَ وَلاَ نَزْنِيَ وَلاَ نَقْتُلَ أَوْلاَدَنَا وَلاَ يَعْضَهَ بَعْضُنَا بَعْضًا " فَمَنْ وَفَى مِنْكُمْ فَأَجْرُهُ عَلَى اللَّهِ وَمَنْ أَتَى مِنْكُمْ حَدًّا فَأُقِيمَ عَلَيْهِ فَهُوَ كَفَّارَتُهُ وَمَنْ سَتَرَهُ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ فَأَمْرُهُ إِلَى اللَّهِ إِنْ شَاءَ عَذَّبَهُ وَإِنْ شَاءَ غَفَرَ لَهُ " .
'Ubadah bin As-Samit Narrated from:
Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) took (a pledge) from us as he took from the women that we will not associate anything with Allah and we will not steal, and we will not commit adultery, and we will not kill our children, and we will not bring calumny upon one another. And he who amongst you fulfils (this pledge), his reward rests with Allah, and he upon whom amongst you is imposed the prescribed punishment and that is carried out, that is his expiation (for that sin), and he whose (sins) were covered by Allah, his matter rests with Allah. He may punish him if He likes or may forgive him if He so likes.
Reference : Sahih Muslim 1709cIn-book reference : Book 29, Hadith 66USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 17, Hadith 4237
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 1709c
This hudud expiation hadith reports that the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم took a pledge from the Companions like the pledge taken from women. The pledge included not associating anything with Allah, not stealing, not committing adultery, not killing their children, and not bringing calumny upon one another. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم then said that whoever fulfils this pledge has his reward with Allah. Whoever has a prescribed punishment imposed on him and it is carried out, that is his expiation for that sin. Whoever is covered by Allah, his matter remains with Allah: He may punish him if He wills or forgive him if He wills. The hadith gives both warning and hope, while keeping judgment with Allah.
What we learn from this hadith
- The pledge includes avoiding shirk, theft, zina, child-killing, and calumny.
- A carried-out prescribed punishment is described as expiation.
- For a concealed sin, the final matter rests with Allah.
