37/1. Chapter:
Sunan an-Nasai 3968 — What Protects a Muslim's Life and Wealth
The Prohibition of Bloodshed
What Makes a Muslim's Blood and Wealth Protected?
Sunan an-Nasai : 3968
Sunan an-NasaiHadith Number 3968
أَخْبَرَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ الْمُثَنَّى، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ الأَنْصَارِيُّ، قَالَ أَنْبَأَنَا حُمَيْدٌ، قَالَ سَأَلَ مَيْمُونُ بْنُ سِيَاهٍ أَنَسَ بْنَ مَالِكٍ قَالَ يَا أَبَا حَمْزَةَ مَا يُحَرِّمُ دَمَ الْمُسْلِمِ وَمَالَهُ فَقَالَ مَنْ شَهِدَ أَنْ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ وَأَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ وَاسْتَقْبَلَ قِبْلَتَنَا وَصَلَّى صَلاَتَنَا وَأَكَلَ ذَبِيحَتَنَا فَهُوَ مُسْلِمٌ لَهُ مَا لِلْمُسْلِمِينَ وَعَلَيْهِ مَا عَلَى الْمُسْلِمِينَ .
Maimun bin Siyah asked Anas bin Malik: "O Abu Hamzah, what makes the blood and wealth of a Muslim forbidden?" He said: "Whoever bears witness to La ilaha illallah (there is none worthy of worship except Allah) and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah [SAW], faces our Qiblah, prays as we pray, and eats our slaughtered animals, he is a Muslim, and has the same rights and obligations as the Muslims."
Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 3968In-book reference : Book 37, Hadith 3English translation : Vol. 5, Book 37, Hadith 3973
Summary of Sunan an-Nasai Hadith 3968
In this hadith, Maimun bin Siyah asks Anas bin Malik what makes a Muslim's blood and wealth forbidden. Anas answers with a set of outward signs: the person bears witness that none is worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, faces the Muslim Qiblah, prays as Muslims pray, and eats their slaughtered animals. He then says, "he is a Muslim," and states that he has the same rights and obligations as other Muslims. The answer is direct and practical. It identifies recognized Muslim belonging through testimony and shared worship. The narration does not discuss hidden motives or add other conditions, so its explanation should remain with the listed signs and the equal rights and duties that follow in the text.
What we learn from this hadith
- The shahadah is central to recognized Muslim identity.
- Shared prayer and Qiblah are named as visible signs of belonging.
- A recognized Muslim shares the rights and obligations of Muslims.
