49/18. Chapter:
Sunan an-Nasai 5406 — Do Not Judge While Angry
Mentioning What the Judge Should Avoid
Hadith About Anger: Do Not Pass Judgment While Angry
Sunan an-Nasai : 5406
Sunan an-NasaiHadith Number 5406
أَخْبَرَنَا قُتَيْبَةُ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو عَوَانَةَ، عَنْ عَبْدِ الْمَلِكِ بْنِ عُمَيْرٍ، عَنْ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنِ أَبِي بَكْرَةَ، قَالَ كَتَبَ أَبِي وَكَتَبْتُ لَهُ إِلَى عُبَيْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ أَبِي بَكْرَةَ وَهُوَ قَاضِي سِجِسْتَانَ أَنْ لاَ، تَحْكُمَ بَيْنَ اثْنَيْنِ وَأَنْتَ غَضْبَانُ فَإِنِّي سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقُولُ " لاَ يَحْكُمْ أَحَدٌ بَيْنَ اثْنَيْنِ وَهُوَ غَضْبَانُ " .
'Abdur-Rahman bin Abi Bakrah Narrated from:
My father wrote to 'Ubaidullah bin Abi Bakrah - who was the judge of Sijistan - saying: 'Do not pass judgment between two people when you are angry, for I heard the Messenger of Allah [SAW] say: No one should pass judgment between two people when he is angry.'
Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 5406In-book reference : Book 49, Hadith 28English translation : Vol. 6, Book 49, Hadith 5408
Summary of Sunan an-Nasai Hadith 5406
This hadith about anger gives a clear rule for anyone judging between people. Abu Bakrah wrote to his son, who was a judge in Sijistan, and told him not to pass judgment between two people while angry. He supported this advice with what he heard from the Messenger of Allah SAW: no one should judge between two people when he is angry. The message is easy to understand. Anger can affect how a person listens, thinks, and speaks. In disputes, people need fairness, patience, and a calm mind. The hadith does not give a long speech, but its meaning is very practical: serious decisions should not be made in a state of anger.
What we learn from this hadith
- A judge should avoid ruling while angry.
- Anger can affect fairness in disputes.
- Advice from a parent can guide a person in public duty.
- Calm judgment is part of treating people justly.
