37/30. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 2119c — Branding Animals of the Flock
The Permissibility Of Branding Animals Anywhere But On The Face, And This Is Recommended In The Case Of Animals Given As Zakat Ot Jizyah
Hadith About Branding Animals of the Flock
Sahih Muslim : 2119c
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 2119c
وَحَدَّثَنِي زُهَيْرُ بْنُ حَرْبٍ، حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ سَعِيدٍ، عَنْ شُعْبَةَ، حَدَّثَنِي هِشَامُ بْنُ، زَيْدٍ قَالَ سَمِعْتُ أَنَسًا، يَقُولُ دَخَلْنَا عَلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم مِرْبَدًا وَهُوَ يَسِمُ غَنَمًا . قَالَ أَحْسِبُهُ قَالَ فِي آذَانِهَا . وَحَدَّثَنِيهِ يَحْيَى بْنُ حَبِيبٍ، حَدَّثَنَا خَالِدُ بْنُ الْحَارِثِ، ح وَحَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ بَشَّارٍ، حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدٌ، وَيَحْيَى، وَعَبْدُ الرَّحْمَنِ، كُلُّهُمْ عَنْ شُعْبَةَ، بِهَذَا الإِسْنَادِ مِثْلَهُ .
Anas reported: We went to Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) as he was in the fold and he was cauterising the animals of the flock and I think (he was cauterising them) on their ears. This hadith has been narrated on the authority of Shu'ba through another chain of transmitters.
Reference : Sahih Muslim 2119c, dIn-book reference : Book 37, Hadith 167USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 24, Hadith 5287
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 2119c
The core topic of this Hadith is animal branding. Anas reported that they went to Allah's Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم while he was in the fold, and he was cauterising or branding animals of the flock. The narrator says, I think, that the branding was on their ears. The wording is careful, and we should keep it that way. It does not mention branding the face. It records the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم marking animals in the fold, with a cautious note about the ears. For searches like Prophet branding animals, branding sheep in Islam, or Sahih Muslim 2119c, this Hadith helps show that branding animals is mentioned in the Sunnah when it is not on the face. The report is short, but it is useful because it preserves a real observed action.
What we learn from this hadith
- The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم was seen branding animals of the flock.
- The narrator cautiously mentions that it was likely on the ears.
- The Hadith does not support branding animals on the face.
- Careful narration includes phrases like I think when certainty is not claimed.
