20/8. Chapter:
Jami at-Tirmidhi 1534 — Swear by Allah or Stay Silent
What Has Been Related About It being Disliked To Swear By Other Than Allah
Hadith About Swearing by Allah or Staying Silent
Jami at-Tirmidhi : 1534
Jami at-TirmidhiHadith Number 1534
حَدَّثَنَا هَنَّادٌ، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدَةُ، عَنْ عُبَيْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عُمَرَ، عَنْ نَافِعٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم أَدْرَكَ عُمَرَ وَهُوَ فِي رَكْبٍ وَهُوَ يَحْلِفُ بِأَبِيهِ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَنْهَاكُمْ أَنْ تَحْلِفُوا بِآبَائِكُمْ لِيَحْلِفْ حَالِفٌ بِاللَّهِ أَوْ لِيَسْكُتْ " . قَالَ أَبُو عِيسَى هَذَا حَدِيثٌ حَسَنٌ صَحِيحٌ .
Ibn 'Umar Narrated from:
The Messenger Of Allah (ﷺ) Came Across 'Umar While He Was On His Mount, And He Was Swearing By His Father. So The Messenger Of Allah (ﷺ) Said: "Verily Allah Prohibits You From Swearing By Your Fathers. So Let The One Who Swears, Swear By Allah, Or Be Silent."
Reference : Jami` at-Tirmidhi 1534In-book reference : Book 20, Hadith 12English translation : Vol. 3, Book 18, Hadith 1534
Summary of Jami at-Tirmidhi Hadith 1534
This hadith about swearing by Allah or staying silent gives a direct rule for oaths. Ibn Umar narrated that the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم came across Umar while he was in a group and swearing by his father. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said that Allah prohibits people from swearing by their fathers. Then he gave the clear instruction: whoever swears should swear by Allah or be silent. The hadith does not leave oath-making as casual talk. It teaches that if a person must swear, the oath should be by Allah. If not, silence is better. The main message is simple and easy to remember: keep oaths for Allah alone, or do not swear.
What we learn from this hadith
- Swearing by fathers is prohibited in this hadith.
- The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم taught that oaths should be by Allah.
- If a person does not swear by Allah, he should stay silent.
- The hadith trains careful and respectful speech.
