43/42. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 2373a — Prophet Respect
The Virtues Of Musa, Peace Be Upon Him
Hadith About Not Distinguishing Between Prophets
Sahih Muslim : 2373a
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 2373a
حَدَّثَنِي زُهَيْرُ بْنُ حَرْبٍ، حَدَّثَنَا حُجَيْنُ بْنُ الْمُثَنَّى، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الْعَزِيزِ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ، بْنِ أَبِي سَلَمَةَ عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ الْفَضْلِ الْهَاشِمِيِّ، عَنْ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ الأَعْرَجِ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، قَالَ بَيْنَمَا يَهُودِيٌّ يَعْرِضُ سِلْعَةً لَهُ أُعْطِيَ بِهَا شَيْئًا كَرِهَهُ أَوْ لَمْ يَرْضَهُ - شَكَّ عَبْدُ الْعَزِيزِ - قَالَ لاَ وَالَّذِي اصْطَفَى مُوسَى عَلَيْهِ السَّلاَمُ عَلَى الْبَشَرِ . قَالَ فَسَمِعَهُ رَجُلٌ مِنَ الأَنْصَارِ فَلَطَمَ وَجْهَهُ - قَالَ - تَقُولُ وَالَّذِي اصْطَفَى مُوسَى عَلَيْهِ السَّلاَمُ عَلَى الْبَشَرِ وَرَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم بَيْنَ أَظْهُرِنَا قَالَ فَذَهَبَ الْيَهُودِيُّ إِلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَقَالَ يَا أَبَا الْقَاسِمِ إِنَّ لِي ذِمَّةً وَعَهْدًا . وَقَالَ فُلاَنٌ لَطَمَ وَجْهِي . فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " لِمَ لَطَمْتَ وَجْهَهُ " . قَالَ . قَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ وَالَّذِي اصْطَفَى مُوسَى عَلَيْهِ السَّلاَمُ عَلَى الْبَشَرِ وَأَنْتَ بَيْنَ أَظْهُرِنَا . قَالَ فَغَضِبَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم حَتَّى عُرِفَ الْغَضَبُ فِي وَجْهِهِ ثُمَّ قَالَ " لاَ تُفَضِّلُوا بَيْنَ أَنْبِيَاءِ اللَّهِ فَإِنَّهُ يُنْفَخُ فِي الصُّورِ فَيَصْعَقُ مَنْ فِي السَّمَوَاتِ وَمَنْ فِي الأَرْضِ إِلاَّ مَنْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ - قَالَ - ثُمَّ يُنْفَخُ فِيهِ أُخْرَى فَأَكُونُ أَوَّلَ مَنْ بُعِثَ أَوْ فِي أَوَّلِ مَنْ بُعِثَ فَإِذَا مُوسَى عَلَيْهِ السَّلاَمُ آخِذٌ بِالْعَرْشِ فَلاَ أَدْرِي أَحُوسِبَ بِصَعْقَتِهِ يَوْمَ الطُّورِ أَوْ بُعِثَ قَبْلِي وَلاَ أَقُولُ إِنَّ أَحَدًا أَفْضَلُ مِنْ يُونُسَ بْنِ مَتَّى عَلَيْهِ السَّلاَمُ " .
Abu Hurairah Narrated from:
While a Jew was selling goods, he was given something which he did not accept or he did not agree (to accept) that 'Abdul 'Azlz (one of the narrators) is doubtful about it. He (the Jew) said: By Allah, Who chose Moses (peace be upon him) among mankind. A person from the Ansar heard it and gave a blow at his face saying: (You have the audacity) to say: By Him Who chose Moses amongst mankind, whereas Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) is living amongst us.The Jew went to Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) and said: Abu'l-Qasim, I am a Dhimmi and (thus need your protection) by a covenant, and added: Such and such person has given a blow upon my face. Thereupon Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said: Why did you give a blow on his face? He said: Allah's Messenger, this man said: By Him Who chose Moses (peace be upon him) amongst mankind, whereas you are living amongst us. Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) became angry and signs of anger could be seen on his face, and then said: Don't make distinction amongst the Prophets of Allah.When the horn will be blown and whatever is in the heavens and the earth would swoon but he whom Allah grants exception, then another horn will be blown and I would be the first amongst those who would recover and Moses (peace be upon him) would be catching hold of the Throne and I do not know whether it is a compensation for that when he swooned on the Day of Tur or he would be resurrected before me and I do not say that anyone is more excellent than Yunus son of Matta (peace he upon him).
Reference : Sahih Muslim 2373aIn-book reference : Book 43, Hadith 209USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 30, Hadith 5853
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 2373a
This hadith about not distinguishing between prophets begins with a dispute. A Jewish man used an oath mentioning Allah choosing Musa, and a man from the Ansar struck him. The Jewish man came to the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم for protection and explained what happened. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم asked why he was struck, became angry when the matter was explained, and then said not to make distinction among the Prophets of Allah. The narration also mentions the blowing of the horn, people swooning, and Musa holding the Throne. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said he did not know the exact state of Musa in that moment, and he also said he did not say anyone was better than Yunus son of Matta. The main lesson is restraint and respect when speaking about prophets.
What we learn from this hadith
- The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم did not approve of striking someone over this dispute.
- The hadith teaches careful speech when comparing prophets.
- The narration shows the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم asking about the reason before responding.
- The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم mentioned Musa and Yunus with respect.
