47/31. Chapter:
Jami at-Tirmidhi 3191 — Al-Bid Years Explained
Regarding Surat Ar-Rum
Al-Bid Years in Surah Ar-Rum Hadith
Jami at-Tirmidhi : 3191
Jami at-TirmidhiHadith Number 3191
حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو مُوسَى، مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ الْمُثَنَّى حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ خَالِدِ بْنِ عَثْمَةَ، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ الْجُمَحِيُّ، حَدَّثَنَا ابْنُ شِهَابٍ الزُّهْرِيُّ، عَنْ عُبَيْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عُتْبَةَ، عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ لأَبِي بَكْرٍ فِي مُنَاحَبَةٍ : ( الم* غُلِبَتِ الرُّومُ ) " أَلاَّ احْتَطْتَ يَا أَبَا بَكْرٍ فَإِنَّ الْبِضْعَ مَا بَيْنَ الثَّلاَثِ إِلَى التِّسْعِ " . قَالَ أَبُو عِيسَى هَذَا حَدِيثٌ غَرِيبٌ مِنْ حَدِيثِ الزُّهْرِيِّ عَنْ عُبَيْدِ اللَّهِ عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ .
Ibn 'Abbas Narrated from:
Regarding"Alif Lam Mim. The Romans Have Been Defeated" (In The Nearest Land, And They, After Their Defeat, Will Be Victorious. Within Bid' Years...) (30 1 & 2)" The Messenger Of Allah (ﷺ) Said To Abu Bakr About The Wager: "Why Were You Not More Cautious Abu Bakr? For Indeed Al-Bid' Refers To What Is From Three To Nine."
Reference : Jami` at-Tirmidhi 3191In-book reference : Book 47, Hadith 243English translation : Vol. 5, Book 44, Hadith 3191
Summary of Jami at-Tirmidhi Hadith 3191
This hadith explains the wording of Surah Ar-Rum about the Romans being defeated and later becoming victorious within bid years. The Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) told Abu Bakr, in connection with a wager, that he should have been more cautious because al-bid refers to what is from three to nine. The main teaching is about the meaning of a Qur'anic time expression in this narration. It also shows that the matter was discussed in a real setting involving Abu Bakr. The text should not be stretched beyond this. The focus is the phrase al-bid and the range explained by the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم).
What we learn from this hadith
- The hadith explains al-bid as three to nine years.
- Careful wording matters when dealing with Qur'anic statements.
- The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) corrected Abu Bakr with clear guidance.
- A believer should be cautious when making claims about time limits.
