47/5. Chapter:
Jami at-Tirmidhi 3031 — Disability Exemption
Regarding Surat An-Nisa
Disability Exemption in Islam: Ibn Umm Maktum’s Question
Jami at-Tirmidhi : 3031
Jami at-TirmidhiHadith Number 3031
حَدَّثَنَا مَحْمُودُ بْنُ غَيْلاَنَ، حَدَّثَنَا وَكِيعٌ، حَدَّثَنَا سُفْيَانُ، عَنْ أَبِي إِسْحَاقَ، عَنِ الْبَرَاءِ بْنِ عَازِبٍ، قَالَ لَمَّا نَزَلَتْ : (لَا يَسْتَوِي الْقَاعِدُونَ مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ) جَاءَ عَمْرُو ابْنُ أُمِّ مَكْتُومٍ إِلَى النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم - قَالَ وَكَانَ ضَرِيرَ الْبَصَرِ فَقَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ مَا تَأْمُرُنِي إِنِّي ضَرِيرُ الْبَصَرِ فَأَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى هَذِهِ الآيَةَ : ( غَيْرُ أُولِي الضَّرَرِ ) الآيَةَ . فَقَالَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم " ائْتُونِي بِالْكَتِفِ وَالدَّوَاةِ أَوِ اللَّوْحِ وَالدَّوَاةِ " . قَالَ أَبُو عِيسَى هَذَا حَدِيثٌ حَسَنٌ صَحِيحٌ . وَيُقَالُ عَمْرُو ابْنُ أُمِّ مَكْتُومٍ وَيُقَالُ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ ابْنُ أُمِّ مَكْتُومٍ وَهُوَ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ زَائِدَةَ وَأُمُّ مَكْتُومٍ أُمُّهُ .
Al-Bara' bin 'Azib Narrated from:
When The Following Was Revealed:'Not Equal Are Those Of The Believers Who Sit (4:95)''Amr Bin Umm Maktum Came To The Prophet (ﷺ). He Said: "He Was Blind, So He Said: 'O Messenger Of Allah! What Do You Order Me With? Indeed My Vision Is Disabled.' So Allah [Most High] Revealed This Ayah: 'Except Those Who Are Disabled.' So The Prophet (ﷺ) Said: 'Bring Me A Shoulder Bone And Inkwell' - Or 'Bring Me A Tablet And An Inkwell.'"
Reference : Jami` at-Tirmidhi 3031In-book reference : Book 47, Hadith 83English translation : Vol. 5, Book 44, Hadith 3031
Summary of Jami at-Tirmidhi Hadith 3031
This hadith is about disability exemption in Islam. When the verse was revealed saying that believers who sit are not equal, Amr bin Umm Maktum came to the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم). He was blind and asked what he was ordered to do, since his vision was disabled. Then Allah revealed the phrase except those who are disabled. The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) then asked for writing material so the wording could be recorded. The narration shows that a real condition was answered by revelation. It teaches that accountability is not blind to ability. Those with a genuine disability are not treated the same as those who sit without excuse.
What we learn from this hadith
- Ibn Umm Maktum asked because he was blind.
- The verse made an exception for those with disability.
- Islamic duty is connected to ability and valid excuse.
- Revelation was written and preserved with care.
