1/20. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 49a — Change Evil with Hand, Tongue, or Heart
Clarifying that forbidding evil is part of faith, faith increases and decreases; Enjoying what is good and forbidding what is evil are obligatory
Change Evil with Hand Tongue Heart Hadith
Sahih Muslim : 49a
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 49a
حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو بَكْرِ بْنُ أَبِي شَيْبَةَ، حَدَّثَنَا وَكِيعٌ، عَنْ سُفْيَانَ، ح وَحَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ الْمُثَنَّى، حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ جَعْفَرٍ، حَدَّثَنَا شُعْبَةُ، كِلاَهُمَا عَنْ قَيْسِ بْنِ مُسْلِمٍ، عَنْ طَارِقِ بْنِ شِهَابٍ، - وَهَذَا حَدِيثُ أَبِي بَكْرٍ - قَالَ أَوَّلُ مَنْ بَدَأَ بِالْخُطْبَةِ يَوْمَ الْعِيدِ قَبْلَ الصَّلاَةِ مَرْوَانُ فَقَامَ إِلَيْهِ رَجُلٌ فَقَالَ الصَّلاَةُ قَبْلَ الْخُطْبَةِ . فَقَالَ قَدْ تُرِكَ مَا هُنَالِكَ . فَقَالَ أَبُو سَعِيدٍ أَمَّا هَذَا فَقَدْ قَضَى مَا عَلَيْهِ سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقُولُ " مَنْ رَأَى مِنْكُمْ مُنْكَرًا فَلْيُغَيِّرْهُ بِيَدِهِ فَإِنْ لَمْ يَسْتَطِعْ فَبِلِسَانِهِ فَإِنْ لَمْ يَسْتَطِعْ فَبِقَلْبِهِ وَذَلِكَ أَضْعَفُ الإِيمَانِ " .
Tariq bin Shihab Narrated from:
It was Marwan who initiated (the practice) of delivering khutbah (address) before the prayer on the 'Id day. A man stood up and said: Prayer should precede khutbah. He (Marwan) remarked, This (practice) has been done away with. Upon this Abu Sa'id remarked: This man has performed (his duty) laid on him.I heard the Messenger of Allah as saying: He who amongst you sees something abominable should modify it with the help of his hand; and if he has not strength enough to do it, then he should do it with his tongue, and if he has not strength enough to do it, (even) then he should (abhor it) from his heart, and that is the least of faith.
Reference : Sahih Muslim 49aIn-book reference : Book 1, Hadith 84USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 1, Hadith 79
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 49a
This Hadith is widely searched as change evil with hand tongue heart hadith. In the narration, a man objected when the khutbah was placed before the Eid prayer. Abu Sa’id said the man had done his duty, then narrated the Prophet’s words. Whoever sees something abominable should change it with his hand. If he does not have enough strength, then with his tongue. If he does not have enough strength, then with his heart, and that is the least of faith. The Hadith is careful about ability. It does not treat every person as having the same strength or position. It teaches that faith should not be pleased with wrong, even when action is limited.
What we learn from this hadith
- A believer should respond to wrong according to ability.
- Speaking against wrong is mentioned when hand action is not possible.
- Disliking wrong in the heart is still connected to faith.
