47/7. Chapter:
Sunan an-Nasai 4993 — Say Muslim, Not Believer
Interpreting the Saying of Allah, The Mighty and Sublime: "The Bedouins say: We believe,
Do Not Say Believer, Say Muslim Hadith
Sunan an-Nasai : 4993
Sunan an-NasaiHadith Number 4993
أَخْبَرَنَا عَمْرُو بْنُ مَنْصُورٍ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا هِشَامُ بْنُ عَبْدِ الْمَلِكِ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا سَلاَّمُ بْنُ أَبِي مُطِيعٍ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ مَعْمَرًا، عَنِ الزُّهْرِيِّ، عَنْ عَامِرِ بْنِ سَعْدٍ، عَنْ سَعْدٍ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَسَمَ قَسْمًا فَأَعْطَى نَاسًا وَمَنَعَ آخَرِينَ فَقُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ أَعْطَيْتَ فُلاَنًا وَمَنَعْتَ فُلاَنًا وَهُوَ مُؤْمِنٌ . قَالَ " لاَ تَقُلْ مُؤْمِنٌ وَقُلْ مُسْلِمٌ " . قَالَ ابْنُ شِهَابٍ { قَالَتِ الأَعْرَابُ آمَنَّا } .
Sa'd Narrated from:
The Messenger of Allah [SAW] distributed (some spoils of war) and gave to some people but withheld from others. I said: "O Messenger of Allah, you gave to so-and-so and so-and-so, and you withheld from so-and-so, who is a believer." He said: "Do not say 'a believer,' say 'a Muslim.'" Ibn Shihab (one of the narrators) said: The Bedouins say: "We believe".
[1] Al-Hujurât 49:14.Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 4993In-book reference : Book 47, Hadith 9English translation : Vol. 6, Book 47, Hadith 4996
Summary of Sunan an-Nasai Hadith 4993
This hadith about saying Muslim not believer is a shorter narration of the same core lesson. The Messenger of Allah distributed some spoils of war, gave to some people, and withheld from others. Sad said that a certain person was a believer, but the Prophet told him not to say believer, and to say Muslim. Ibn Shihab then mentioned the wording about the Bedouins saying, We believe. The hadith teaches careful language when speaking about another person's inner state. A person may be known outwardly as Muslim, but the deeper claim of faith needs care. The wording does not shame the person; it teaches accuracy and humility in speech.
What we learn from this hadith
- The Prophet taught Sad to use careful wording.
- The report separates outward Islam from the claim of inner faith.
- The narration warns against speaking too strongly about another person's heart.
