45/33. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 2613a — Warning Against Tormenting People
Stern Warning To One Who Torments People Unlawfully
Hadith About Tormenting People in This World
Sahih Muslim : 2613a
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 2613a
حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو بَكْرِ بْنُ أَبِي شَيْبَةَ، حَدَّثَنَا حَفْصُ بْنُ غِيَاثٍ، عَنْ هِشَامِ بْنِ عُرْوَةَ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ هِشَامِ بْنِ حَكِيمِ بْنِ حِزَامٍ، قَالَ مَرَّ بِالشَّامِ عَلَى أُنَاسٍ وَقَدْ أُقِيمُوا فِي الشَّمْسِ وَصُبَّ عَلَى رُءُوسِهِمُ الزَّيْتُ فَقَالَ مَا هَذَا قِيلَ يُعَذَّبُونَ فِي الْخَرَاجِ . فَقَالَ أَمَا إِنِّي سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقُولُ " إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُعَذِّبُ الَّذِينَ يُعَذِّبُونَ فِي الدُّنْيَا " .
`Urwa Narrated from:
Hisham b. Hakim b. Hizam happened to pass by some people in Syria who had been made to stand in the sun and olive-oil was being poured upon their heads. He said: What is this? It was said: They are being punished for (not paying) the Kharaj (the government revenue). Thereupon he said: Allah would punish those who torment people in this world (without any genuine reason).
Reference : Sahih Muslim 2613aIn-book reference : Book 45, Hadith 154USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 32, Hadith 6327
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 2613a
This hadith about tormenting people describes Hisham b. Hakim passing by people in Syria who had been made to stand in the sun while olive oil was poured on their heads. When he asked about it, he was told they were being punished for Kharaj, the government revenue. Hisham then mentioned that he heard the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم say that Allah would punish those who torment people in this world without genuine reason. The teaching is serious and direct. The narration points against harsh treatment and torment of people. It does not give every detail about tax law or government policy. Its core message is a warning against unjust torment.
What we learn from this hadith
- Tormenting people in this world is warned against strongly.
- Hisham objected when he saw people being treated harshly.
- The hadith connects worldly torment with accountability before Allah.
