44/47. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 2522a — Prophet’s Fair View of Tribes
The Virtues Of Ghifar, Aslam, Juhainah, Ashja', Muzainah, Tamim, Daws and Tayy'
Hadith About the Prophet’s Fair View of Tribes
Sahih Muslim : 2522a
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 2522a
حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو بَكْرِ بْنُ أَبِي شَيْبَةَ، حَدَّثَنَا غُنْدَرٌ، عَنْ شُعْبَةَ، ح وَحَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ الْمُثَنَّى، وَابْنُ بَشَّارٍ قَالاَ حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ جَعْفَرٍ، حَدَّثَنَا شُعْبَةُ، عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ أَبِي يَعْقُوبَ، سَمِعْتُ عَبْدَ، الرَّحْمَنِ بْنَ أَبِي بَكْرَةَ يُحَدِّثُ عَنْ أَبِيهِ، أَنَّ الأَقْرَعَ بْنَ حَابِسٍ، جَاءَ إِلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَقَالَ إِنَّمَا بَايَعَكَ سُرَّاقُ الْحَجِيجِ مِنْ أَسْلَمَ وَغِفَارَ وَمُزَيْنَةَ - وَأَحْسِبُ جُهَيْنَةَ - مُحَمَّدٌ الَّذِي شَكَّ - فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " أَرَأَيْتَ إِنْ كَانَ أَسْلَمُ وَغِفَارُ وَمُزَيْنَةُ - وَأَحْسِبُ جُهَيْنَةَ - خَيْرًا مِنْ بَنِي تَمِيمٍ وَبَنِي عَامِرٍ وَأَسَدٍ وَغَطَفَانَ أَخَابُوا وَخَسِرُوا " . فَقَالَ نَعَمْ . قَالَ " فَوَالَّذِي نَفْسِي بِيَدِهِ إِنَّهُمْ لأَخْيَرُ مِنْهُمْ " . وَلَيْسَ فِي حَدِيثِ ابْنِ أَبِي شَيْبَةَ مُحَمَّدٌ الَّذِي شَكَّ .
al-Aqra' b. Habis Narrated from:
Abu Bakra reported from his father that al-Aqra' b. Habis reported that he came to Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) and said to him: How did the tribes of Aslam, Ghifar, Muzaina (and I think he also said Juhaina and the narrator is in doubt about it) owe allegiance to you, whereas they plundered the pilgrims?Thereupon Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said:" you were to say that Aslam, Ghifar, Muzaina and I think Juhaina are better than Banu Tamim, Banu 'Amir and Asad, Ghatfan, then would these people (of latter group of tribes) be in loss? He said: Yes. Thereupon he (the Holy Prophet) said: By Him in Whose Hand is my life, these people are better than Banu Tamim, Banu Amir, Asad and Ghatfan, and in this hadith of Abu Shaiba (these words are not found) that Muhammad (the narrator) had a doubt about.
Reference : Sahih Muslim 2522aIn-book reference : Book 44, Hadith 273USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 31, Hadith 6126
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 2522a
This hadith about tribes gives a clear conversation. Al-Aqra' b. Habis came to Allah's Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم and spoke harshly about Aslam, Ghifar, Muzaina, and possibly Juhaina, claiming they had plundered pilgrims and had given allegiance. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم responded by asking what if those tribes were better than Banu Tamim, Banu Amir, Asad, and Ghatfan. When the man agreed that the latter would then be at loss, the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم swore by Allah and said the first group was better than them. The teaching is direct: the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم did not allow a harsh tribal label to stand as the final judgment. He redirected attention to Allah's judgment and to a fairer way of speaking.
What we learn from this hadith
- The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم corrected a harsh claim made against named tribes.
- A group should not be judged only by insulting labels.
- The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم used a question to make the listener think before giving the answer.
