49/37. Chapter:
Sunan an-Nasai 5427 — Respecting an Oath by Allah
How the Judge is to Ask People to Swear for an Oath
Hadith About Isa and the Oath by Allah
Sunan an-Nasai : 5427
Sunan an-NasaiHadith Number 5427
أَخْبَرَنَا أَحْمَدُ بْنُ حَفْصٍ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنِي أَبِي قَالَ، حَدَّثَنِي إِبْرَاهِيمُ بْنُ طَهْمَانَ، عَنْ مُوسَى بْنِ عُقْبَةَ، عَنْ صَفْوَانَ بْنِ سُلَيْمٍ، عَنْ عَطَاءِ بْنِ يَسَارٍ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " رَأَى عِيسَى ابْنُ مَرْيَمَ عَلَيْهِ السَّلاَمُ رَجُلاً يَسْرِقُ فَقَالَ لَهُ أَسَرَقْتَ قَالَ لاَ وَاللَّهِ الَّذِي لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ هُوَ . قَالَ عِيسَى عَلَيْهِ السَّلاَمُ آمَنْتُ بِاللَّهِ وَكَذَّبْتُ بَصَرِي " .
Abu Hurairah Narrated from:
The Messenger of Allah [SAW] said: 'Isa bin Mariam, peace be upon him, saw a man stealing, and said to him: Are you stealing? He said: No, by Allah besides Whom there is no other God! 'Isa, peace be upon him, said: I believe in Allah and I disbelieve my eyes.'
Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 5427In-book reference : Book 49, Hadith 49English translation : Vol. 6, Book 49, Hadith 5429
Summary of Sunan an-Nasai Hadith 5427
This hadith about Isa and the oath by Allah teaches the weight of swearing by Allah’s name. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم narrated that Isa ibn Maryam saw a man stealing and asked him if he was stealing. The man denied it and swore by Allah, besides Whom there is no other god. Isa, peace be upon him, then said that he believed in Allah and disbelieved his eyes. The hadith is not telling people to ignore justice or proof in every case. It shows, from this text, how serious an oath by Allah was treated. It also reminds the listener not to use Allah’s name lightly. A person should be careful before putting Allah’s name behind a denial.
What we learn from this hadith
- Swearing by Allah is a serious matter.
- Allah’s name should not be used lightly in denial or defense.
- The hadith shows Prophet Isa honoring the oath made by Allah’s name.
