49/11. Chapter:
Sunan an-Nasai 5398 — Leave Doubt for What Is Clear
Ruling According to the Consensus of the Scholars
Hadith About Leaving Doubt and Judging by Clear Guidance
Sunan an-Nasai : 5398
Sunan an-NasaiHadith Number 5398
أَخْبَرَنِي مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عَلِيِّ بْنِ مَيْمُونٍ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا الْفِرْيَابِيُّ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا سُفْيَانُ، عَنِ الأَعْمَشِ، عَنْ عُمَارَةَ بْنِ عُمَيْرٍ، عَنْ حُرَيْثِ بْنِ ظُهَيْرٍ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ مَسْعُودٍ، قَالَ أَتَى عَلَيْنَا حِينٌ وَلَسْنَا نَقْضِي وَلَسْنَا هُنَالِكَ وَإِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ قَدَّرَ أَنْ بَلَغْنَا مَا تَرَوْنَ فَمَنْ عَرَضَ لَهُ قَضَاءٌ بَعْدَ الْيَوْمِ فَلْيَقْضِ فِيهِ بِمَا فِي كِتَابِ اللَّهِ فَإِنْ جَاءَ أَمْرٌ لَيْسَ فِي كِتَابِ اللَّهِ فَلْيَقْضِ بِمَا قَضَى بِهِ نَبِيُّهُ فَإِنْ جَاءَ أَمْرٌ لَيْسَ فِي كِتَابِ اللَّهِ وَلَمْ يَقْضِ بِهِ نَبِيُّهُ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَلْيَقْضِ بِمَا قَضَى بِهِ الصَّالِحُونَ وَلاَ يَقُولُ أَحَدُكُمْ إِنِّي أَخَافُ وَإِنِّي أَخَافُ فَإِنَّ الْحَلاَلَ بَيِّنٌ وَالْحَرَامَ بَيِّنٌ وَبَيْنَ ذَلِكَ أُمُورٌ مُشْتَبِهَةٌ فَدَعْ مَا يَرِيبُكَ إِلَى مَا لاَ يَرِيبُكَ.
'Abdullah bin Mas'ud Narrated from:
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. 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 5398In-book reference : Book 49, Hadith 20English translation : Vol. 6, Book 49, Hadith 5400
Summary of Sunan an-Nasai Hadith 5398
This hadith about leaving doubt gives a strong order for people who face judgment. Abdullah bin Mas'ud said that the time had come when they were asked to pass many judgments. He taught that a person should judge by the Book of Allah. If the case is not there, he should judge by the way the Prophet [SAW] judged. If it is not there and the Prophet [SAW] did not judge it, then he should judge by the way the righteous judged. He then warned against being stuck in fear. The ending is very practical: the lawful is clear, the unlawful is clear, and between them are unclear matters, so leave what makes you doubt.
What we learn from this hadith
- The Book of Allah is named as the first source for judgment.
- The Prophet's judgment and the judgment of the righteous are mentioned after that.
- The hadith teaches leaving doubtful matters for what does not cause doubt.
