49/11. Chapter:
Sunan an-Nasai 5397 — Judge by the Book, Sunnah, and Clear Guidance
Ruling According to the Consensus of the Scholars
Hadith About Judgment by the Book of Allah and the Sunnah
Sunan an-Nasai : 5397
Sunan an-NasaiHadith Number 5397
أَخْبَرَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ الْعَلاَءِ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو مُعَاوِيَةَ، عَنِ الأَعْمَشِ، عَنْ عُمَارَةَ، هُوَ ابْنُ عُمَيْرٍ عَنْ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنِ يَزِيدَ، قَالَ أَكْثَرُوا عَلَى عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ذَاتَ يَوْمٍ فَقَالَ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ إِنَّهُ قَدْ أَتَى عَلَيْنَا زَمَانٌ وَلَسْنَا نَقْضِي وَلَسْنَا هُنَالِكَ ثُمَّ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ قَدَّرَ عَلَيْنَا أَنْ بَلَغْنَا مَا تَرَوْنَ فَمَنْ عَرَضَ لَهُ مِنْكُمْ قَضَاءٌ بَعْدَ الْيَوْمِ فَلْيَقْضِ بِمَا فِي كِتَابِ اللَّهِ فَإِنْ جَاءَ أَمْرٌ لَيْسَ فِي كِتَابِ اللَّهِ فَلْيَقْضِ بِمَا قَضَى بِهِ نَبِيُّهُ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَإِنْ جَاءَ أَمْرٌ لَيْسَ فِي كِتَابِ اللَّهِ وَلاَ قَضَى بِهِ نَبِيُّهُ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَلْيَقْضِ بِمَا قَضَى بِهِ الصَّالِحُونَ فَإِنْ جَاءَ أَمْرٌ لَيْسَ فِي كِتَابِ اللَّهِ وَلاَ قَضَى بِهِ نَبِيُّهُ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَلاَ قَضَى بِهِ الصَّالِحُونَ فَلْيَجْتَهِدْ رَأْيَهُ وَلاَ يَقُولُ إِنِّي أَخَافُ وَإِنِّي أَخَافُ فَإِنَّ الْحَلاَلَ بَيِّنٌ وَالْحَرَامَ بَيِّنٌ وَبَيْنَ ذَلِكَ أُمُورٌ مُشْتَبِهَاتٌ فَدَعْ مَا يَرِيبُكَ إِلَى مَا لاَ يَرِيبُكَ. قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ هَذَا الْحَدِيثُ جَيِّدٌ جَيِّدٌ.
`Abdur-Rahman bin Yazid Narrated from:
The people asked 'Abdullah too many questions one day, and 'Abdullah said: 'There was a time when we did not pass so many judgments, but now that time is over. Now Allah, the Mighty and Sublime, has decreed that we reach a time when, as you see, (we are asked to pass many judgments).Whoever among you is asked to pass a judgment after this day, let him pass judgment according to what is in the Book of Allah. If he is faced with a matter that is not mentioned in the Book of Allah, let him pass judgment according to the way His Prophet [SAW] passed judgment. If he is faced with a matter that is not mentioned in the Book of Allah and concerning which His Prophet did not pass judgment, then let him pass judgment according to the way the righteous passed judgment.If he is faced with a matter that is not mentioned in the Book of Allah, and concerning which His Prophet and the righteous did not pass judgment, then let him strive to work it out, and let him not say 'I am afraid, I am afraid.' For that which is lawful is clear and that which is unlawful is clear, and between them are matters which are not as clear. Leave that which makes you doubt for that which does not make you doubt.'
Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 5397In-book reference : Book 49, Hadith 19English translation : Vol. 6, Book 49, Hadith 5399
Summary of Sunan an-Nasai Hadith 5397
This hadith about judgment by the Book of Allah records guidance from Abdullah when people asked him many questions. He said that if a person must pass judgment, he should judge by what is in the Book of Allah. If the matter is not found there, he should judge according to how the Prophet [SAW] judged. If it is not found there either, he should judge according to how the righteous judged. If none of those cover it, then he should strive to work it out and not keep saying, I am afraid. The hadith also says the lawful is clear, the unlawful is clear, and doubtful matters should be left for what does not cause doubt.
What we learn from this hadith
- Judgment should begin with what is in the Book of Allah.
- If not found there, the Prophet's judgment and righteous precedent are mentioned next.
- Doubtful matters should be left for what does not cause doubt.
