49/3. Chapter:
Sunan an-Nasai 5381 — The Reward of a Judge's Ijtihad
Passing Correct Judgement
Hadith About Ijtihad: The Reward of a Judge Seeking the Right Ruling
Sunan an-Nasai : 5381
Sunan an-NasaiHadith Number 5381
أَخْبَرَنَا إِسْحَاقُ بْنُ مَنْصُورٍ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الرَّزَّاقِ، قَالَ أَنْبَأَنَا مَعْمَرٌ، عَنْ سُفْيَانَ، عَنْ يَحْيَى بْنِ سَعِيدٍ، عَنْ أَبِي بَكْرِ، {بْنِ} مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عَمْرِو بْنِ حَزْمٍ عَنْ أَبِي سَلَمَةَ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " إِذَا حَكَمَ الْحَاكِمُ فَاجْتَهَدَ فَأَصَابَ فَلَهُ أَجْرَانِ وَإِذَا اجْتَهَدَ فَأَخْطَأَ فَلَهُ أَجْرٌ ".
Abu Hurairah Narrated from:
The Messenger of Allah [SAW] said: 'If a judge passes judgment and strives to reach the right conclusion and gets it right, he will have two rewards; if he strives to reach the right conclusion but gets it wrong, he will still have one reward.
Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 5381In-book reference : Book 49, Hadith 3English translation : Vol. 6, Book 49, Hadith 5383
Summary of Sunan an-Nasai Hadith 5381
This hadith about ijtihad explains the reward of a judge who works hard to reach the right judgment. The Prophet [SAW] says that when a judge strives and reaches the correct conclusion, he has two rewards. If he strives but makes a mistake, he still has one reward. The focus is not on careless guessing. The text speaks about a judge who makes effort to reach what is right. It gives hope to those who carry the heavy duty of judgment, while also reminding them that effort must come before ruling. In simple words, sincere work, careful thinking, and seeking the truth are honored, even when a human judge may fall short.
What we learn from this hadith
- A judge should strive to reach the right conclusion before passing judgment.
- Correct judgment after sincere effort is linked with two rewards.
- A mistaken judgment after sincere effort is still treated differently from careless ruling.
