33/13. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 1848c — Rejecting Blind Group Loyalty
The obligation of staying with the Jama'ah (main body) of the muslims when Fitn (tribulations) appear, and in all circumstances. The prohibition of refusing to obey and on splitting away from the Jama'ah
Hadith About Tribalism and Leaving the Jamaah
Sahih Muslim : 1848c
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 1848c
وَحَدَّثَنِي زُهَيْرُ بْنُ حَرْبٍ، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنُ مَهْدِيٍّ، حَدَّثَنَا مَهْدِيُّ بْنُ مَيْمُونٍ، عَنْ غَيْلاَنَ بْنِ جَرِيرٍ، عَنْ زِيَادِ بْنِ رِيَاحٍ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " مَنْ خَرَجَ مِنَ الطَّاعَةِ وَفَارَقَ الْجَمَاعَةَ ثُمَّ مَاتَ مَاتَ مِيتَةً جَاهِلِيَّةً وَمَنْ قُتِلَ تَحْتَ رَايَةٍ عُمِّيَّةٍ يَغْضَبُ لِلْعَصَبَةِ وَيُقَاتِلُ لِلْعَصَبَةِ فَلَيْسَ مِنْ أُمَّتِي وَمَنْ خَرَجَ مِنْ أُمَّتِي عَلَى أُمَّتِي يَضْرِبُ بَرَّهَا وَفَاجِرَهَا لاَ يَتَحَاشَ مِنْ مُؤْمِنِهَا وَلاَ يَفِي بِذِي عَهْدِهَا فَلَيْسَ مِنِّي " .
Abu Hurairah Narrated from:
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: Whoever defects from obedience (to the Amir) and separates from the main body of the Muslim - and dies in that state - dies the death of one belonging to the days of jahiliyya. And he who is killed under the banner of a man who is blind (to the cause for which he is fighting), who gets flared up with family pride and fights for his tribe is not from my Ummah, and whosoever from my followers attacks my followers (indiscriminately) killing the righteous and the wicked of them, sparing not (even) those staunch in faith and fulfilling not his obligation towards them who have been given a pledge (of security), is not from me (i.e. is not my follower).
Reference : Sahih Muslim 1848cIn-book reference : Book 33, Hadith 85USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 20, Hadith 4557
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 1848c
This hadith about tribalism repeats the warning in direct words. Whoever leaves obedience and separates from the main body of Muslims, then dies in that state, is described as dying a death of Jahiliyyah. The hadith also condemns being killed under a blind banner while becoming angry for tribal loyalty and fighting for it. It then warns against anyone from the Ummah attacking the Ummah, harming righteous and wicked people alike, not avoiding believers, and not fulfilling the obligation owed to those given a pledge. The strong phrases in the hadith show that blind group loyalty and careless violence are not minor errors. The text calls the believer back to unity, restraint, and responsibility.
What we learn from this hadith
- Leaving obedience and the Muslim community is warned against in strong terms.
- Fighting because of tribal pride is condemned by the hadith.
- The rights of believers and people under pledge must be respected.
- The hadith warns against harming the Ummah without care or distinction.
