45/32. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 2612e — Avoid the Face and Adam’s Image
The Prohibition Of Striking The Face
Avoid the Face Hadith and Adam’s Creation
Sahih Muslim : 2612e
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 2612e
حَدَّثَنَا نَصْرُ بْنُ عَلِيٍّ الْجَهْضَمِيُّ، حَدَّثَنِي أَبِي، حَدَّثَنَا الْمُثَنَّى، ح وَحَدَّثَنِي مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ، حَاتِمٍ حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنُ مَهْدِيٍّ، عَنِ الْمُثَنَّى بْنِ سَعِيدٍ، عَنْ قَتَادَةَ، عَنْ أَبِي أَيُّوبَ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَفِي حَدِيثِ ابْنِ حَاتِمٍ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ " إِذَا قَاتَلَ أَحَدُكُمْ أَخَاهُ فَلْيَجْتَنِبِ الْوَجْهَ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ خَلَقَ آدَمَ عَلَى صُورَتِهِ " .
This hadith has been transmitted on the authority of Abu Huraira and in the hadith transmitted on the authority of Ibn Hatim Allah's Apostle (ﷺ) is reported to have said: When any one of you fights with his brother, he should avoid his face for Allah created Adam in His own image.
[1] There is a great deal of debate among the scholars about the word "His," and does it refer to Âdam or to Allâh. See the comments of An-Nawawî on this narration, and Shaikh Al-Albanî in Ṣaḥîh Al-Adab Al-Mufrad no. 749/987; Ad-Da'ifah nos. 1175 and 1176; Kitâb As-Sunnah (no. 517 and what follows it), and Shaikh 'Abdullâh Ad-Duwaish's Difâ' Ahl As-Sunnah wal-Îmân .Reference : Sahih Muslim 2612eIn-book reference : Book 45, Hadith 152USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 32, Hadith 6325
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 2612e
This avoid the face hadith repeats the command that when any one of you fights with his brother, he should avoid his face. In the wording reported through Ibn Hatim, the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم also said that Allah created Adam in His own image. The explanation should stay close to the text. The practical command is to avoid the face during a fight. The added phrase connects that warning with Adam’s creation, as stated in the narration. It is best not to add detailed theological explanation here because the provided text itself does not explain the phrase further. Searchers may look for Allah created Adam in His image hadith or avoid striking face hadith.
What we learn from this hadith
- The face should be avoided during a fight.
- This narration includes an added phrase about Adam’s creation.
- The text should be explained carefully without adding details not present in it.
