27/40. Chapter:
Sunan an-Nasai 3472 — The Fifth Oath in Li'an
The Command To Place The Hand Over The Mouth Of The Two Who Are Engaging In Li'an When They Utter Th
Hadith About the Fifth Oath in Li'an
Sunan an-Nasai : 3472
Sunan an-NasaiHadith Number 3472
أَخْبَرَنَا عَلِيُّ بْنُ مَيْمُونٍ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا سُفْيَانُ، عَنْ عَاصِمِ بْنِ كُلَيْبٍ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ، أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم أَمَرَ رَجُلاً حِينَ أَمَرَ الْمُتَلاَعِنَيْنِ أَنْ يَتَلاَعَنَا أَنْ يَضَعَ يَدَهُ عِنْدَ الْخَامِسَةِ عَلَى فِيهِ وَقَالَ " إِنَّهَا مُوجِبَةٌ " .
It was narrated from Ibn 'Abbas: "When the Prophet commanded the two who were engaging in Li'an to utter the fifth oath, he commanded a man to place his hand over his mouth, and he said: "It will inevitably bring the punishment upon the liar.""
[1] The wordings of the text differ slightly from the wordings of the chapter heading, so take note. As-Sindî said: "Meaning the mouth of the man, who was involved in the Li'ân . And it does not refer to the woman, except if he is a Mahram to her." And the meaning of this Hadîth is similar to No. 3499, from Anas, where the Messenger of Allâh ﷺ said: "Stop her, for it will inevitably bring the punishment of Allâh upon the liar."Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 3472In-book reference : Book 27, Hadith 84English translation : Vol. 4, Book 27, Hadith 3502
Summary of Sunan an-Nasai Hadith 3472
This hadith about Li'an focuses on the fifth oath. Ibn Abbas said that when the Prophet commanded the two people engaging in Li'an to utter the fifth oath, he also commanded a man to place his hand over the person’s mouth. The Prophet said, "It will inevitably bring the punishment upon the liar." The wording is short, but the message is strong. The fifth oath was not treated as a simple statement. It was a very serious oath before Allah. The action of placing a hand near the mouth shows warning and pause before the final words were spoken. For anyone searching for the Li'an oath hadith, this narration highlights the weight of truthfulness when Allah’s name is invoked.
What we learn from this hadith
- The fifth oath in Li'an is treated as very serious.
- The Prophet warned before the final oath was completed.
- Lying in such an oath carries grave danger for the liar.
- A person should pause before speaking words that call on Allah as witness.
