37/19. Chapter:
Jami at-Tirmidhi 2451 — Leaving Doubtful Things for Taqwa
Signs of Taqwa and Leaving What There is No Harm in Out of Caution
Hadith About Taqwa and Leaving What May Lead to Harm
Jami at-Tirmidhi : 2451
Jami at-TirmidhiHadith Number 2451
حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو بَكْرِ بْنُ أَبِي النَّضْرِ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو النَّضْرِ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو عَقِيلٍ الثَّقَفِيُّ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ عَقِيلٍ، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ يَزِيدَ، حَدَّثَنِي رَبِيعَةُ بْنُ يَزِيدَ، وَعَطِيَّةُ بْنُ قَيْسٍ، عَنْ عَطِيَّةَ السَّعْدِيِّ، وَكَانَ، مِنْ أَصْحَابِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " لاَ يَبْلُغُ الْعَبْدُ أَنْ يَكُونَ مِنَ الْمُتَّقِينَ حَتَّى يَدَعَ مَا لاَ بَأْسَ بِهِ حَذَرًا لِمَا بِهِ الْبَأْسُ " . قَالَ أَبُو عِيسَى هَذَا حَدِيثٌ حَسَنٌ غَرِيبٌ لاَ نَعْرِفُهُ إِلاَّ مِنْ هَذَا الْوَجْهِ .
'Atiyyah As-Sa'di Narrated from:
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: "The Servant Shall Not Reach The State Of Being Among The Muttaqin Until He Leaves What There Is No Harm In Out Of Caution For Its Harm."
Reference : Jami` at-Tirmidhi 2451In-book reference : Book 37, Hadith 37English translation : Vol. 4, Book 11, Hadith 2451
Summary of Jami at-Tirmidhi Hadith 2451
This hadith about taqwa gives a careful standard for the believer. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said that a servant does not reach the state of being among the Muttaqin until he leaves what has no harm out of caution for what has harm. The wording does not call every harmless thing forbidden. Rather, it speaks about caution when something allowed may lead toward what is blameworthy. The main idea is wara, carefulness in faith. It teaches a person not to only ask, “Is this technically allowed?” but also to ask, “Could this pull me toward what is harmful?” This is a balanced path of guarding the heart and actions.
What we learn from this hadith
- Taqwa includes caution, not only avoiding clear harm.
- A believer may leave a harmless thing if it may lead to harm.
- The hadith teaches careful self-control.
- The wording should not be used to declare all harmless things forbidden.
