39/16. Chapter:
Sunan an-Nasai 4174 — Obey as Much as You Can
Pledge To Obey Whether One Likes It Or Not
Hearing and Obeying in Islam Within Your Ability
Sunan an-Nasai : 4174
Sunan an-NasaiHadith Number 4174
أَخْبَرَنِي مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ قُدَامَةَ، عَنْ جَرِيرٍ، عَنْ مُغِيرَةَ، عَنْ أَبِي وَائِلٍ، وَالشَّعْبِيِّ، قَالاَ قَالَ جَرِيرٌ أَتَيْتُ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَقُلْتُ لَهُ أُبَايِعُكَ عَلَى السَّمْعِ وَالطَّاعَةِ فِيمَا أَحْبَبْتُ وَفِيمَا كَرِهْتُ . قَالَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم " أَوَتَسْتَطِيعُ ذَلِكَ يَا جَرِيرُ أَوَتُطِيقُ ذَلِكَ " . قَالَ " قُلْ فِيمَا اسْتَطَعْتُ " . فَبَايَعَنِي وَالنُّصْحِ لِكُلِّ مُسْلِمٍ .
Jarir Narrated from:
I came to the Prophet and said to him: 'I pledge to you to hear and obey in what I like and what I dislike.' The Prophet said: 'Can you do that, O Jarir,' or, 'Are you able for that?' He said: Say: As much as I can.' So he accepted my pledge (for that), and that I be sincere toward every Muslim.
Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 4174In-book reference : Book 39, Hadith 26English translation : Vol. 5, Book 39, Hadith 4179
Summary of Sunan an-Nasai Hadith 4174
Jarir came to the Prophet and offered a pledge to hear and obey in what he liked and disliked. The Prophet asked whether he was able to carry such a commitment. He then told Jarir to say, “as much as I can.” The pledge was accepted on that basis, together with sincerity toward every Muslim. This Hadith about hearing and obeying in Islam combines commitment with honest ability. Jarir was not told to make an unlimited claim beyond his capacity. His pledge was framed in words he could truthfully carry. The report also joins obedience with sincere concern for Muslims, showing that the pledge was not only about following commands but also about dealing honestly and faithfully with others.
What we learn from this hadith
- Make commitments in words that honestly reflect your ability.
- Hearing and obeying may include matters a person likes and dislikes.
- The Prophet guided Jarir to say, “as much as I can.”
- Sincerity toward every Muslim was part of Jarir's pledge.
