49/28. Chapter:
Sunan an-Nasai 5417 — Barirah's Choice and Prophetic Intercession
The Judge Seeking to Intercede for One of the Disputing Parties Before Passing Judgment
Hadith About Barirah, Mughith, and the Difference Between Command and Intercession
Sunan an-Nasai : 5417
Sunan an-NasaiHadith Number 5417
أَخْبَرَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ بَشَّارٍ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الْوَهَّابِ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا خَالِدٌ، عَنْ عِكْرِمَةَ، عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ، أَنَّ زَوْجَ، بَرِيرَةَ كَانَ عَبْدًا يُقَالُ لَهُ مُغِيثٌ كَأَنِّي أَنْظُرُ إِلَيْهِ يَطُوفُ خَلْفَهَا يَبْكِي وَدُمُوعُهُ تَسِيلُ عَلَى لِحْيَتِهِ فَقَالَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم لِلْعَبَّاسِ " يَا عَبَّاسُ أَلاَ تَعْجَبُ مِنْ حُبِّ مُغِيثٍ بَرِيرَةَ وَمِنْ بُغْضِ بَرِيرَةَ مُغِيثًا " . فَقَالَ لَهَا النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم " لَوْ رَاجَعْتِيهِ فَإِنَّهُ أَبُو وَلَدِكِ " . قَالَتْ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ أَتَأْمُرُنِي . قَالَ " إِنَّمَا أَنَا شَفِيعٌ " . قَالَتْ فَلاَ حَاجَةَ لِي فِيهِ .
Ibn 'Abbas Narrated from:
The husband of Barirah was a slave called Mughith. It is as if I can see him walking behind her weeping, with the tears running down onto his beard. The Prophet [SAW] said to Al-'Abbas: "O 'Abbas, are you not amazed by the love of Mughith for Barirah and the hatred of Barirah for Mughith?" The Messenger of Allah [SAW] said to her: "Why don't you take him back, for he is the father of your child?" She said: "O Messenger of Allah, are you commanding me (to do so)?" He said: "I am just interceding." She said: "I have no need of him."
Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 5417In-book reference : Book 49, Hadith 39English translation : Vol. 6, Book 49, Hadith 5419
Summary of Sunan an-Nasai Hadith 5417
This hadith about Barirah and Mughith shows a tender personal case. Ibn Abbas describes Mughith walking behind Barirah while crying, with tears running onto his beard. The Prophet SAW pointed out the strong love of Mughith for Barirah and Barirah's dislike for Mughith. He then asked Barirah why she did not take him back, mentioning that he was the father of her child. Barirah asked an important question: was he commanding her? The Prophet SAW answered that he was only interceding. She then said she had no need of him. The hadith clearly shows the difference between a binding command and a request made as intercession, and it shows that Barirah's choice was respected.
What we learn from this hadith
- The Prophet SAW clarified when his words were intercession, not a command.
- Barirah asked before deciding, showing care in understanding his words.
- Her personal choice was respected after the clarification.
- The narration shows human feelings of love, dislike, and mercy without forcing a reunion.
