30/7. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 1717b — Calmness Before Judgment
It is disliked for a judge to pass a judgement when he is angry
Hadith About Anger and Fair Judgment
Sahih Muslim : 1717b
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 1717b
وَحَدَّثَنَاهُ يَحْيَى بْنُ يَحْيَى، أَخْبَرَنَا هُشَيْمٌ، ح وَحَدَّثَنَا شَيْبَانُ بْنُ فَرُّوخَ، حَدَّثَنَا حَمَّادُ بْنُ سَلَمَةَ، ح وَحَدَّثَنَا أَبُو بَكْرِ بْنُ أَبِي شَيْبَةَ، حَدَّثَنَا وَكِيعٌ، عَنْ سُفْيَانَ، ح وَحَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ، بْنُ الْمُثَنَّى حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ جَعْفَرٍ، ح وَحَدَّثَنَا عُبَيْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ مُعَاذٍ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبِي كِلاَهُمَا، عَنْ شُعْبَةَ، ح وَحَدَّثَنَا أَبُو كُرَيْبٍ، حَدَّثَنَا حُسَيْنُ بْنُ عَلِيٍّ، عَنْ زَائِدَةَ، كُلُّ هَؤُلاَءِ عَنْ عَبْدِ الْمَلِكِ، بْنِ عُمَيْرٍ عَنْ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنِ أَبِي بَكْرَةَ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم . بِمِثْلِ حَدِيثِ أَبِي عَوَانَةَ .
'Abdur-Rahman bin Abi Bakrah Narrated from:
This hadith has been narrated on the authority of 'Abd al-Rahman b. Abu Bakra through another chain of transmitters.
Reference : Sahih Muslim 1717bIn-book reference : Book 30, Hadith 22USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 18, Hadith 4265
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 1717b
This narration gives the same meaning through another chain: do not judge while angry. The Hadith is short, but it gives an important rule for fair judgment. When a person is angry, he may not weigh the matter with the calm needed between two disputing people. The wording is not a general ban on making any choice while feeling emotion. It is about judging between two persons when angry. This makes the teaching very practical. A judge, leader, parent, teacher, or anyone settling a dispute can learn from it. Fairness needs patience. The Hadith encourages the person in authority to pause until anger no longer controls the decision.
What we learn from this hadith
- The same warning is narrated through another chain.
- Judgment between people should not be made in anger.
- Anger can disturb fair listening and clear thinking.
- A responsible person should pause before deciding a dispute.
