56/0. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 3017a — Perfected Religion on Arafah
The Book of Commentary on the Qur'an
Today I Have Perfected Your Religion Hadith
Sahih Muslim : 3017a
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 3017a
حَدَّثَنِي أَبُو خَيْثَمَةَ، زُهَيْرُ بْنُ حَرْبٍ وَمُحَمَّدُ بْنُ الْمُثَنَّى - وَاللَّفْظُ لاِبْنِ الْمُثَنَّى - قَالاَ حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الرَّحْمَنِ، - وَهُوَ ابْنُ مَهْدِيٍّ - حَدَّثَنَا سُفْيَانُ، عَنْ قَيْسِ بْنِ مُسْلِمٍ، عَنْ طَارِقِ، بْنِ شِهَابٍ أَنَّ الْيَهُودَ، قَالُوا لِعُمَرَ إِنَّكُمْ تَقْرَءُونَ آيَةً لَوْ أُنْزِلَتْ فِينَا لاَتَّخَذْنَا ذَلِكَ الْيَوْمَ عِيدًا . فَقَالَ عُمَرُ إِنِّي لأَعْلَمُ حَيْثُ أُنْزِلَتْ وَأَىَّ يَوْمٍ أُنْزِلَتْ وَأَيْنَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم حَيْثُ أُنْزِلَتْ أُنْزِلَتْ بِعَرَفَةَ وَرَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَاقِفٌ بِعَرَفَةَ . قَالَ سُفْيَانُ أَشُكُّ كَانَ يَوْمَ جُمُعَةٍ أَمْ لاَ . يَعْنِي { الْيَوْمَ أَكْمَلْتُ لَكُمْ دِينَكُمْ وَأَتْمَمْتُ عَلَيْكُمْ نِعْمَتِي}
Tariq bin Shihab Narrated from:
A Jew said to 'Umar: You recite a verse which, if it had been revealed in relation to us, we would have taken that day as the day of rejoicing. Thereupon 'Umar said: I know where it was revealed and on the day when it was revealed and where Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) had been at that time when it was revealed. It was revealed on the day of 'Arafa (ninth of Dhu'l Hijjah) and Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) had been staying in 'Arafat. Sufyan said: I doubt, whether it was Friday or not (and the verse referred to) is this:" Today I have perfected your religion for you and completed My favours upon you" (v. 4).
[1] Al-Mā'idah 5:3.Reference : Sahih Muslim 3017aIn-book reference : Book 56, Hadith 3USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 43, Hadith 7153
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 3017a
This hadith about Today I have perfected your religion shows how 'Umar knew the exact setting of this great Qur'an verse. The Jew said that if such a verse had come to his people, they would have treated its day as a day of rejoicing. 'Umar answered with clear knowledge: it was revealed on the day of 'Arafa while Allah's Messenger (صلى الله عليه وسلم) was standing in 'Arafat. The core message is gratitude for Allah's completed favour and the perfected religion. The narration also teaches careful memory of revelation: where it came, when it came, and what the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) was doing at that time. It is not only about a date; it is about recognizing the value of Allah's blessing.
What we learn from this hadith
- Allah's completed favour is a reason for deep gratitude and respect.
- The place and time of revelation were carefully remembered by the Companions.
- The day of 'Arafa is linked in this report with a major Qur'anic declaration.
