(#077)
Asalamu Aleykum wr wb
Dear Br.
There was once the sahabas who planted seeds and grew this fruit that I can not remember it very well.
This fruit was plentiful for everyone to have. Meaning there was too much of it. So, one day the messenger of Allah PBUH dis courged the crowing of this plant because their was too much, and when things settled according to the prophet’s command, and a year went by, their happend to be a shortage of this plant, meaning sahabas were in need of the plant again. So the prophet was informed about issue (the plant) and he the messenger said who had commanded you all to stop growing it? the sahabas replied you did oh messenger of Allah. Then, the prophet replied do not follow my command when it come to worldly means or gains, But follow me when it comes to religions wise. so he gave permission to the people to grow it if the liked. Please brother how should one comprehend this hadith;so that when someone comes making this hadith as their basis of their argument that the prophet was only sent for religion and not the worldly means, that is, we should control our world means the way we see it? How should i reply back to such a brother?
Keeping in mind that, the prophet was a statesman, a legislator and among other beautiful qualities that Allah has given him.
Many Thanks ,
Wasalam
Answer
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
السلام عليكم و رحمة الله و بركاته
حامدا و مصليا و مسلما
We received your query with regards to the above narration. Our response is as follows;
The Hadeeth which you have mentioned is in Saheeh Muslim. The words of the Hadeeth are as follows:
عن رافع بن خديج قال قدم نبي الله صلى الله عليه و سلم المدينة و هم يأبرون النخل فقال ما تصنعون قالوا كنا نصنعه قال لعلكم لو لم تفعلوا كان خيرا فتركوه فنقصت قال فذكروا ذلك له فقال انما انا بشر اذا امرتكم بشئ من امر دينكم فخذوا به و اذا امرتكم بشئ من رأيى فانم انا بشر
The above Hadeeth states that Nabi Sallallahu alai wa salam said that I am only a human, whenever I order you with regards to the affairs of Deen then hold on to it, and when I order you (with regards to an issue) from my opinion then I am only a human.
With regards to the above Hadeeth, the famous luminary Mulla Ali Qaari Rahimahullaah has mentioned in his monumental masterpiece “Mirqaat” that the answer of Nabi Sallallahu alai wa salam is to show that he does not have the knowledge of the unseen, and that he sallallahu alai wa salam had only remarked with regards to the apparent situation, the reality of the matter lies only in the hands of the controller of causes. This Hadeeth also elucidates that Nabi Sallallahu alai wa salam’s focus was directed towards the Aakhirat.
The Hadeeth has no mention whatsoever that Nabi Sallallahu alai wa salam is instructing us not to follow him with regards to the matters of Dunya.
The following are some Aayats wherein we have been commanded to follow the teachings of Nabi Sallallahu alai wa salam , despite the fact that these Aayats were revealed with regards to the affairs of the Dunya.
( فلا وربك لا يؤمنون حتى يحكموك فيما شجر بينهم ثم لا يجدوا في أنفسهم حرجاً مما قضيت ويسلموا تسليما )
But no, by your Lord, they will not [truly] believe until they make you, [O Muhammad Sallallahu alai wa salam], judge concerning that over which they dispute among themselves and then find within themselves no discomfort from what you have judged and submit in [full, willing] submission.
( فإن تنازعتم في شيء فردوه إلى الله والرسول إن كنتم تؤمنون بالله واليوم الآخر ذلك خير وأحسن تأويلا)
O you who have believed, obey Allah and obey the Messenger and those in authority among you. And if you disagree over anything, refer it to Allah and the Messenger, if you should believe in Allah and the Last Day. That is the best [way] and best in result.
( وما آتاكم الرسول فخذوه وما نهاكم عنه فانتهوا )
And whatever the Messenger has given you – take; and what he has forbidden you – refrain from.
Actions such as eating, drinking, household affairs and business etc are all issues which apparently relate to the Dunya, however the Ahadeeth contain the laws of how we should discharge these injunctions to the minute detail.
Thus in conclusion, it is incorrect for a person to quote a Hadeeth out of context in order to fulfil ones whims and fancies. One should always refer to the explanations and commentaries which the great Ulama of the past have mentioned.
And Allah Ta’ala knows best
Muhammad Irshad Motara
Rabe’ul Awwal 1435
5th January 2014
