39/34. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 2223a — Good Words and Hope
(Evil) Omens And Al-Fa'l, And That Which May Be Regarded As Inauspicious
Good Omen Hadith: A Good Word That Brings Hope
Sahih Muslim : 2223a
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 2223a
وَحَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ بْنُ حُمَيْدٍ، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الرَّزَّاقِ، أَخْبَرَنَا مَعْمَرٌ، عَنِ الزُّهْرِيِّ، عَنْ عُبَيْدِ، اللَّهِ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عُتْبَةَ أَنَّ أَبَا هُرَيْرَةَ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقُولُ " لاَ طِيَرَةَ وَخَيْرُهَا الْفَأْلُ " . قِيلَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ وَمَا الْفَأْلُ قَالَ " الْكَلِمَةُ الصَّالِحَةُ يَسْمَعُهَا أَحَدُكُمْ " .
Abu Hurairah Narrated from:
I heard Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) as saying: There is no divination but the best type is the good omen. It was said to Allah's Messenger (ﷺ): What is good omen? Thereupon he said: A good word which one of you hears.
[1] Meaning that the best kind of sign or indication is Al-Fa'l which is explained in the narration. Whereas Tiyarah causes a person to not do something based upon mere superstition.Reference : Sahih Muslim 2223aIn-book reference : Book 39, Hadith 150USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 26, Hadith 5517
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 2223a
This good omen hadith gives a hopeful teaching in very simple words. Abu Huraira reports that the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم said there is no divination, but the best type is the good omen. When he was asked what good omen means, he said it is a good word that one of you hears. The hadith rejects divination, so a believer should not depend on signs or predictions. At the same time, it shows that hearing a good word can please the heart. This is not about superstition. It is about clean speech, hope, and a positive word that does not claim hidden knowledge. Good words can lift people without leading them into false beliefs.
What we learn from this hadith
- Divination is rejected in this narration.
- A good omen is described as a good word someone hears.
- Positive words can please the heart without becoming superstition.
- Hopeful speech should not be confused with claims of hidden knowledge.
