49/19. Chapter:
Sunan an-Nasai 5407 — Justice in Water Disputes
Concession Allowing a Trustworthy Judge to Pass Judgment When He is Angry
Hadith About Water Rights and Accepting the Prophet's Judgment
Sunan an-Nasai : 5407
Sunan an-NasaiHadith Number 5407
أَخْبَرَنَا يُونُسُ بْنُ عَبْدِ الأَعْلَى، وَالْحَارِثُ بْنُ مِسْكِينٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ وَهْبٍ، قَالَ أَخْبَرَنِي يُونُسُ بْنُ يَزِيدَ، وَاللَّيْثُ بْنُ سَعْدٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ شِهَابٍ، أَنَّ عُرْوَةَ بْنَ الزُّبَيْرِ، حَدَّثَهُ أَنَّ عَبْدَ اللَّهِ بْنَ الزُّبَيْرِ حَدَّثَهُ عَنِ الزُّبَيْرِ بْنِ الْعَوَّامِ، أَنَّهُ خَاصَمَ رَجُلاً مِنَ الأَنْصَارِ قَدْ شَهِدَ بَدْرًا مَعَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فِي شِرَاجِ الْحَرَّةِ كَانَا يَسْقِيَانِ بِهِ كِلاَهُمَا النَّخْلَ فَقَالَ الأَنْصَارِيُّ سَرِّحِ الْمَاءَ يَمُرَّ عَلَيْهِ . فَأَبَى عَلَيْهِ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " اسْقِ يَا زُبَيْرُ ثُمَّ أَرْسِلِ الْمَاءَ إِلَى جَارِكَ " . فَغَضِبَ الأَنْصَارِيُّ وَقَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ أَنْ كَانَ ابْنَ عَمَّتِكَ فَتَلَوَّنَ وَجْهُ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ثُمَّ قَالَ " يَا زُبَيْرُ اسْقِ ثُمَّ احْبِسِ الْمَاءَ حَتَّى يَرْجِعَ إِلَى الْجَدْرِ " . فَاسْتَوْفَى رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم لِلزُّبَيْرِ حَقَّهُ وَكَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَبْلَ ذَلِكَ أَشَارَ عَلَى الزُّبَيْرِ بِرَأْىٍ فِيهِ السَّعَةُ لَهُ وَلِلأَنْصَارِيِّ فَلَمَّا أَحْفَظَ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم الأَنْصَارِيُّ اسْتَوْفَى لِلزُّبَيْرِ حَقَّهُ فِي صَرِيحِ الْحُكْمِ . قَالَ الزُّبَيْرُ لاَ أَحْسَبُ هَذِهِ الآيَةَ أُنْزِلَتْ إِلاَّ فِي ذَلِكَ { فَلاَ وَرَبِّكَ لاَ يُؤْمِنُونَ حَتَّى يُحَكِّمُوكَ فِيمَا شَجَرَ بَيْنَهُمْ } وَأَحَدُهُمَا يَزِيدُ عَلَى صَاحِبِهِ فِي الْقِصَّةِ .
Az-Zubair bin Al-'Awwam Narrated from:
It was narrated from Az-Zubair bin Al-'Awwam that: He disputed with a man among Ansar who had been present at Badr with the Messenger of Allah [SAW], concerning a stream in Al-Harrah from which they both used to water their date palm trees. The Ansari said: "Let the water flow." But he (Az-Zubair) refused. The Messenger of Allah [SAW] said: "Irrigate (your land), O Zubair! Then let the water flow to your neighbor."The Ansari became angry and said, "O Messenger of Allah, is it because he is your cousin?" The face of the Messenger of Allah [SAW] changed color (because of anger) and he said: "O Zubair! Irrigate (your land) then block the water, until it flows back to the walls." So the Messenger of Allah [SAW] allowed Az-Zubair to take his rights in full, although before that he had suggested to Az-Zubair a middle way that benefited both him and the Ansari. But when the Ansari made the Messenger of Allah [SAW] angry, he gave Az-Zubair his rights in full, as stated clearly in his ruling.Az-Zubair said: "I think that this Verse was revealed concerning this matter: 'But no, by your Lord, they can have no faith, until they make you (O Muhammad) judge in all disputes between them.'"
[1] The lava fields in and around Al-Madînah.[1] An-Nisā' 4:65.Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 5407In-book reference : Book 49, Hadith 29English translation : Vol. 6, Book 49, Hadith 5409
Summary of Sunan an-Nasai Hadith 5407
This hadith about water rights describes a dispute between Az-Zubair and an Ansari over a stream used to water date palms. The Prophet SAW first gave a ruling that allowed Az-Zubair to irrigate, then release the water to his neighbor. This was a middle way that benefited both sides. The Ansari became upset and suggested the ruling was because Az-Zubair was related to the Prophet SAW. The Prophet's face changed, and he then gave Az-Zubair his full right in clear terms. Az-Zubair thought the verse about making the Prophet SAW judge in disputes was revealed about this matter. The hadith teaches fairness, respect, and accepting a just ruling without accusing the judge.
What we learn from this hadith
- Disputes over shared resources should be handled with fairness.
- The Prophet SAW first suggested a ruling that gave ease to both sides.
- Accusing a fair judge without right is a serious matter.
- A person should accept the Prophet's judgment in disputes.
