33/8. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 1837b — Obedience Beyond Status
The obligation of obeying leaders in matters that do not involve sin, but it is forbidden to obey them in sinful matters
Abyssinian Slave Hadith: Listen and Obey Beyond Status
Sahih Muslim : 1837b
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 1837b
وَحَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ بَشَّارٍ، حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ جَعْفَرٍ، ح وَحَدَّثَنَا إِسْحَاقُ، أَخْبَرَنَا النَّضْرُ، بْنُ شُمَيْلٍ جَمِيعًا عَنْ شُعْبَةَ، عَنْ أَبِي عِمْرَانَ، بِهَذَا الإِسْنَادِ وَقَالاَ فِي الْحَدِيثِ عَبْدًا حَبَشِيًّا مُجَدَّعَ الأَطْرَافِ .
In another version of the tradition, we have the wording: " An Abyssinian slave maimed and disabled."
Reference : Sahih Muslim 1837bIn-book reference : Book 33, Hadith 54USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 20, Hadith 4526
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 1837b
This version gives a wording detail of the same advice reported from Abu Dharr. Instead of only saying a maimed and disabled slave, it says "an Abyssinian slave maimed and disabled." For people searching for the Abyssinian slave hadith, this narration is a direct wording variant. The core message is still about listening and obeying the person in authority. The report should be read carefully: its focus is not on praising injury or social rank, but on not letting such outward features become a reason to dismiss the command to listen and obey. The hadith uses a strong example so the listener understands that obedience in the described case is not based on wealth, tribe, appearance, or status.
What we learn from this hadith
- This version preserves the phrase 'an Abyssinian slave maimed and disabled.'
- The advice remains centered on listening and obeying.
- Outward status is not made a reason to reject authority in this text.
- The wording should be kept close to the narration without adding extra claims.
