49/7. Chapter:
Sunan an-Nasai 5387 — Allah Is Al-Hakam
If People Appoint a Man as Judge, and He Passes Judgment Among Them
Hadith About Allah Al-Hakam and Fair Judgment Between People
Sunan an-Nasai : 5387
Sunan an-NasaiHadith Number 5387
أَخْبَرَنَا قُتَيْبَةُ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا يَزِيدُ، وَهُوَ ابْنُ الْمِقْدَامِ بْنِ شُرَيْحٍ {عَنْ أَبِيهِ،} عَنْ شُرَيْحِ بْنِ هَانِئٍ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، هَانِئٍ أَنَّهُ لَمَّا وَفَدَ إِلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم سَمِعَهُ وَهُمْ يَكْنُونَ هَانِئًا أَبَا الْحَكَمِ فَدَعَاهُ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَقَالَ لَهُ " إِنَّ اللَّهَ هُوَ الْحَكَمُ وَإِلَيْهِ الْحُكْمُ فَلِمَ تُكَنَّى أَبَا الْحَكَمِ ". فَقَالَ إِنَّ قَوْمِي إِذَا اخْتَلَفُوا فِي شَىْءٍ أَتَوْنِي فَحَكَمْتُ بَيْنَهُمْ فَرَضِيَ كِلاَ الْفَرِيقَيْنِ. قَالَ " مَا أَحْسَنَ مِنْ هَذَا فَمَا لَكَ مِنَ الْوُلْدِ ". قَالَ لِي شُرَيْحٌ وَعَبْدُ اللَّهِ وَمُسْلِمٌ. قَالَ " فَمَنْ أَكْبَرُهُمْ ". قَالَ شُرَيْحٌ. قَالَ " فَأَنْتَ أَبُو شُرَيْحٍ ". فَدَعَا لَهُ وَلِوَلَدِهِ.
It was narrated from Shuraih bin Hani' from his father, that: When he came to the Messenger of Allah [SAW] and he heard them calling Hani' by the nickname of Abu Al-Hakam, the Messenger of Allah [SAW] called him and said to him: "Allah is Al-Hakam (the Judge) and judgment is His. Why are you known as Abu Al-Hakam?" He said: "If my people differ concerning something, they come to me, and I pass judgment among them, and both sides accept it." He said: "How good this is. Do you have any children?" He said: "I have Shuraih, and 'Abdullah, and Muslim." He said: "Who is the eldest of them?" He said: "Shuraih." He said: "Then you are Abu Shuraih," and he supplicated for him and his son.
Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 5387In-book reference : Book 49, Hadith 9English translation : Vol. 6, Book 49, Hadith 5389
Summary of Sunan an-Nasai Hadith 5387
This hadith about Allah Al-Hakam teaches respect for Allah's name and the duty of fair judgment. Hani' was known as Abu Al-Hakam. When the Prophet [SAW] heard this, he called him and said that Allah is Al-Hakam and judgment belongs to Him. Hani' explained that his people came to him when they differed, and he judged between them in a way both sides accepted. The Prophet [SAW] praised this good action, then asked about his children and renamed him Abu Shuraih after his eldest son. The hadith shows balance: good mediation is praised, but names and titles should not overlook what belongs to Allah.
What we learn from this hadith
- Judgment belongs to Allah, as stated clearly in the hadith.
- Helping people settle disputes fairly is praised in the text.
- The Prophet [SAW] corrected a nickname in a kind and practical way.
