1/7. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 19a — Calling to Faith and Zakat Justice
Calling people to the twin declaration of faith and the laws of Islam
Hadith of Mu'adh to Yemen: Faith, Prayer, Zakat and Justice
Sahih Muslim : 19a
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 19a
حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو بَكْرِ بْنُ أَبِي شَيْبَةَ، وَأَبُو كُرَيْبٍ وَإِسْحَاقُ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ جَمِيعًا عَنْ وَكِيعٍ، - قَالَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ حَدَّثَنَا وَكِيعٌ، - عَنْ زَكَرِيَّاءَ بْنِ إِسْحَاقَ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنِي يَحْيَى بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ صَيْفِيٍّ، عَنْ أَبِي مَعْبَدٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ، عَنْ مُعَاذِ بْنِ جَبَلٍ، - قَالَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ رُبَّمَا قَالَ وَكِيعٌ عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ، أَنَّ مُعَاذًا، - قَالَ بَعَثَنِي رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ " إِنَّكَ تَأْتِي قَوْمًا مِنْ أَهْلِ الْكِتَابِ . فَادْعُهُمْ إِلَى شَهَادَةِ أَنْ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ وَأَنِّي رَسُولُ اللَّهِ فَإِنْ هُمْ أَطَاعُوا لِذَلِكَ فَأَعْلِمْهُمْ أَنَّ اللَّهَ افْتَرَضَ عَلَيْهِمْ خَمْسَ صَلَوَاتٍ فِي كُلِّ يَوْمٍ وَلَيْلَةٍ فَإِنْ هُمْ أَطَاعُوا لِذَلِكَ فَأَعْلِمْهُمْ أَنَّ اللَّهَ افْتَرَضَ عَلَيْهِمْ صَدَقَةً تُؤْخَذُ مِنْ أَغْنِيَائِهِمْ فَتُرَدُّ فِي فُقَرَائِهِمْ فَإِنْ هُمْ أَطَاعُوا لِذَلِكَ فَإِيَّاكَ وَكَرَائِمَ أَمْوَالِهِمْ وَاتَّقِ دَعْوَةَ الْمَظْلُومِ فَإِنَّهُ لَيْسَ بَيْنَهَا وَبَيْنَ اللَّهِ حِجَابٌ " .
Mu'adh Narrated from:
The Messenger of Allah sent me (as a governor of Yemen) and (at the time of departure) instructed me thus: You will soon find yourself in a community one among the people of the Book, so first call them to testify that there is no god but Allah, that I (Muhammad) am the messenger of Allah, and if they accept this, then tell them Allah has enjoined upon them five prayers during the day and the night and if they accept it, then tell them that Allah has made Zakat obligatory for them that it should be collected from the rich and distributed among the poor, and if they agree to it don't pick up (as a share of Zakat) the best of their wealths. Beware of the supplication of the oppressed for there is no barrier between him and Allah.
Reference : Sahih Muslim 19aIn-book reference : Book 1, Hadith 29USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 1, Hadith 27
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 19a
This hadith of Mu'adh to Yemen gives a clear order in teaching people. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم tells Mu'adh that he will come to a people from the People of the Book. He should first call them to testify that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم is the Messenger of Allah. If they accept, he should tell them that Allah has made five prayers required each day and night. If they accept that, he should tell them that zakat is required, taken from their rich and returned to their poor. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم also warns him not to take the best of their wealth and to fear the supplication of the oppressed, because there is no barrier between it and Allah.
What we learn from this hadith
- Calling people begins with testimony of faith in Allah and His Messenger.
- Five daily prayers are taught after acceptance of faith in the Hadith.
- Zakat is described as taken from the rich and returned to the poor.
- The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم warns against oppression and taking the best of people’s wealth.
