28/10. Chapter:
Sunan an-Nasai 3580 — Guidance on Breeding Horses and Donkeys
Stern Warning Against Mating A Donkey With A Horse
Hadith About Breeding Horses and Donkeys: A Lesson in Knowledge
Sunan an-Nasai : 3580
Sunan an-NasaiHadith Number 3580
أَخْبَرَنَا قُتَيْبَةُ بْنُ سَعِيدٍ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا اللَّيْثُ، عَنْ يَزِيدَ بْنِ أَبِي حَبِيبٍ، عَنْ أَبِي الْخَيْرِ، عَنِ ابْنِ زُرَيْرٍ، عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ أَبِي طَالِبٍ، رضى الله عنه قَالَ أُهْدِيَتْ إِلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم بَغْلَةٌ فَرَكِبَهَا فَقَالَ عَلِيٌّ لَوْ حَمَلْنَا الْحَمِيرَ عَلَى الْخَيْلِ لَكَانَتْ لَنَا مِثْلَ هَذِهِ . قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " إِنَّمَا يَفْعَلُ ذَلِكَ الَّذِينَ لاَ يَعْلَمُونَ " .
'Ali bin Abi Talib Narrated from:
A mule was given as a gift to the Messenger of Allah and he rode it. 'Ali said: "If we mate a donkey with a horse, we will have one like this." The Messenger of Allah said: "That is only done by those who do not know."
Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 3580In-book reference : Book 28, Hadith 20English translation : Vol. 4, Book 28, Hadith 3610
Summary of Sunan an-Nasai Hadith 3580
This hadith about breeding horses and donkeys records a short exchange between Ali ibn Abi Talib and the Messenger of Allah. After a mule was gifted to the Prophet and he rode it, Ali suggested mating a donkey with a horse to produce a similar animal. The Prophet replied that this is done by people who do not know. The core lesson is direct: a Muslim should not treat every useful result as proof that the method is wise or approved. The hadith links animal breeding with knowledge, restraint, and respect for Prophetic guidance. It also shows how the Prophet corrected an idea in a brief and clear way. The text does not give a long legal discussion, so the safest explanation is to stay with its plain warning and avoid adding claims that are not stated.
What we learn from this hadith
- Useful results do not by themselves make every method a wise choice.
- Prophetic correction should be received with humility and care.
- Knowledge should guide decisions about animal breeding and use.
