The Offices of Commander and Qadi

وَعَنْ سَعِيدِ بْنِ الْمُسَيَّبِ: أَنَّ مُسْلِمًا وَيَهُودِيًّا اخْتَصَمَا إِلَى عُمَرَ فَرَأَى الْحَقَّ لِلْيَهُودِيِّ فَقَضَى لَهُ عُمَرُ بِهِ فَقَالَ لَهُ الْيَهُودِيُّ: وَاللَّهِ لَقَدْ قَضَيْتَ بِالْحَقِّ فَضَرَبَهُ عُمَرُ بِالدِّرَّةِ وَقَالَ: وَمَا يُدْريكَ؟ فَقَالَ الْيَهُودِيُّ: وَاللَّهِ إِنَّا نَجِدُ فِي التَّوْرَاةِ أَنَّهُ لَيْسَ قَاضٍ يَقْضِي بِالْحَقِّ إِلَّا كَانَ عَنْ يَمِينِهِ مَلَكٌ وَعَنْ شِمَالِهِ مَلَكٌ يُسَدِّدَانِهِ وَيُوَفِّقَانِهِ لِلْحَقِّ مَا دَامَ مَعَ الْحَقِّ فَإِذَا تركَ الحقَّ عرَجا وترَكاهُ. رَوَاهُ مَالك

Said b. al-Musayyib told that a Muslim and a Jew brought a dispute before ‘Umar, and as he considered the Jew was in the right he pronounced judgment in his favour; but when the Jew said, “I swear by God that you have pronounced just judgment,” he struck him with the whip and asked him what caused him to know that. The Jew replied, “I swear by God that we find in the Torah that no qadi judges rightly without having an angel at his right hand and an angel at his left who direct him and dispose him to what is right as long as he adheres to the right; but when he abandons the right they ascend and leave him.” Malik transmitted it.

وَعَنِ ابْنِ مَوْهَبٍ: أَنَّ عُثْمَانَ بْنِ عَفَّانَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ لِابْنِ عُمَرَ: اقْضِ بَين النَّاس قَالَ: أَو تعاقبني يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ؟ قَالَ: وَمَا تَكْرَهُ مِنْ ذَلِك وَقد كَانَ أَبوك قَاضِيا؟ قَالَ: لِأَنِّي سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يَقُولُ: «مَنْ كَانَ قَاضِيًا فَقَضَى بِالْعَدْلِ فَبِالْحَرِيِّ أَنْ يَنْقَلِبَ مِنْهُ كَفَافًا» . فَمَا راجعَه بعدَ ذَلِك. رَوَاهُ التِّرْمِذِيّ وَفِي رِوَايَةِ رَزِينٍ عَنْ نَافِعٍ أَنَّ ابْنَ عُمَرَ قَالَ لِعُثْمَانَ: يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ لَا أَقْضِي بَيْنَ رَجُلَيْنِ: قَالَ: فَإِنَّ أَبَاكَ كَانَ يَقْضِي فَقَالَ: إِنَّ أَبِي لَوْ أُشْكِلَ عَلَيْهِ شَيْءٌ سَأَلَ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ وَلَوْ أُشْكِلَ عَلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ شَيْءٌ سَأَلَ جِبْرِيلَ عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ وَإِنِّي لَا أَجِدُ مَنْ أَسْأَلُهُ وَسَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يَقُولُ: «مَنْ عَاذَ بِاللَّهِ فَقَدْ عَاذَ بِعَظِيمٍ» . وَسَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ: «مَنْ عَاذَ بِاللَّهِ فَأَعِيذُوهُ» . وَإِنِّي أَعُوذُ باللَّهِ أنْ تجعلَني قاضِياً فأعْفاهُ وَقَالَ: لَا تُخبرْ أحدا

Ibn Mauhib told that when ‘Uthman b. ‘Affan asked Ibn ‘Umar to act as qadi among the people he asked the commander of the faithful to excuse him. He asked him what objection he had to that when his father had been holding such an office, and he replied that it was because he had heard God’s Messenger say, “If anyone is a qadi and fulfils the office with justice he should rather turn away from it with neither credit nor blame.”* After that he did not ask him again. Tirmidhi transmitted it. * Or, ‘without reward or punishment’. Razin’s version on the authority of Nafi' tells that Ibn ‘Umar said to ‘Uthman, “Commander of the faithful, I shall not pronounce judgment between two men.” He replied, “Your father used to do so.” He said, “If anything was dubious to my father he asked God’s Messenger, and if anything was dubious to God’s Messenger he asked Gabriel, but I can find no one to ask, and I heard God’s Messenger say, ‘He who seeks refuge in God has sought refuge in a great One.’ I also heard him say, ‘Grant refuge to him who seeks refuge in God’, and I seek refuge in God from your making me a qadi." So he excused him, but said, “Do not tell anyone.” Razin.

عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «مَا أُعْطِيكُمْ وَلَا أَمْنَعُكُمْ أَنَا قَاسِمٌ أَضَعُ حَيْثُ أُمِرْتُ» . رَوَاهُ البُخَارِيّ

Abu Huraira reported God's Messenger as saying, “What I give you and do not withhold from you I am just distributing, putting it where I have been commanded." Bukhari transmitted it.

وَعَن خَوْلةَ الْأَنْصَارِيَّةِ قَالَتْ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «إِنَّ رِجَالًا يَتَخَوَّضُونَ فِي مَالِ اللَّهِ بِغَيْرِ حَقٍّ فَلَهُمُ النَّارُ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ» . رَوَاهُ البُخَارِيّ

Khaula al-Ansariya reported God’s Messenger as saying, “Men will unjustly acquire for themselves property which belongs to God, and on the day of resurrection they will go to hell." Bukhari transmitted it.

وَعَن عائشةَ قَالَتْ: لِمَّا اسْتُخْلِفَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ: لَقَدْ عَلِمَ قَوْمِي أَنَّ حِرْفَتِي لم تكنْ تعجِزُ عَن مَؤونةِ أَهْلِي وَشُغِلْتُ بِأَمْرِ الْمُسْلِمِينَ فَسَيَأْكُلُ آلُ أَبِي بَكْرٍ مِنْ هَذَا الْمَالِ وَيَحْتَرِفُ لِلْمُسْلِمِينَ فِيهِ. رَوَاهُ البُخَارِيّ

'A’isha told that when Abu Bakr became caliph he said, “My people know that my trade was not incapable of supporting my family, but I have become occupied with the affairs of the Muslims, so Abu Bakr’s family will be supported from this property while he works for it on behalf of the Muslims." Bukhari transmitted it.

عَن بُرَيْدَةَ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ: «مَنِ اسْتَعْمَلْنَاهُ عَلَى عَمَلٍ فَرَزَقْنَاهُ رِزْقًا فَمَا أَخَذَ بَعْدَ ذَلِكَ فَهُوَ غُلُولٌ» . رَوَاهُ أَبُو دَاوُد

Buraida reported the Prophet as saying, “When we appoint someone to an administrative post and provide him with an allowance, anything he takes beyond that is unfaithful dealing." Abu Dawud transmitted it.

وَعَنْ عُمَرَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ: عَمِلْتُ عَلَى عَهْدِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ فعملني. رَوَاهُ أَبُو دَاوُد

‘Umar said, “I held an administrative post in the time of God's Messenger, and he gave me payment for it." Abu Dawud transmitted it.

وَعَن مُعَاذٍ قَالَ: بَعَثَنِي رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ إِلَى الْيَمَنِ فَلَمَّا سِرْتُ أَرْسَلَ فِي أَثَرِي فَرُدِدْتُ فَقَالَ: «أَتَدْرِي لِمَ بَعَثْتُ إِلَيْكَ؟ لَا تُصِيبَنَّ شَيْئًا بِغَيْرِ إِذْنِي فَإِنَّهُ غُلُولٌ وَمَنْ يَغْلُلْ يَأْتِ بِمَا غَلَّ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ لهَذَا دعوتك فَامْضِ لعملك» . رَوَاهُ التِّرْمِذِيّ

Mu'adh said: God’s Messenger sent me to the Yemen, but when I set off he sent after me and I was brought back. He then said, “Do you know why I sent for you? Do not take anything without my permission, for it is unfaithful dealing, and he who acts unfaithfully will come on the day of resurrection with the unfaithful deeds he has done. This is why I called you. Now go off to your task." Tirmidhi transmitted it.

وَعَن المستَوْرِدِ بنِ شدَّادٍ قَالَ: سَمِعْتُ النَّبِيَّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يَقُولُ: «مَنْ كَانَ لَنَا عَامِلًا فَلْيَكْتَسِبْ زَوْجَةً فَإِنْ لَمْ يَكُنْ لَهُ خَادِمٌ فَلْيَكْتَسِبْ خَادِمًا فَإِنْ لَمْ يَكُنْ لَهُ مَسْكَنٌ فَلْيَكْتَسِبْ مَسْكَنًا» . وَفِي رِوَايَةٍ: «مَنِ اتَّخَذَ غَيْرَ ذَلِكَ فَهُوَ غالٌّ» . رَوَاهُ أَبُو دَاوُد

Al-Mustadrid b. Shaddad told that he heard the Prophet say, “He who acts as a governor for us must get a wife; if he has not a servant he must get one, and if he has not a dwelling he must get one.” A version says, “He who takes anything else than that is acting unfaithfully.” Abu Dawud transmitted it.

وَعَن عَدِيِّ بنِ عَمِيرةَ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ: «يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ مَنْ عُمِّلَ مِنْكُمْ لَنَا عَلَى عَمَلٍ فَكَتَمَنَا مِنْهُ مِخْيَطًا فَمَا فَوْقَهُ فَهُوَ غَالٌّ يَأْتِي بِهِ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ» . فَقَامَ رَجُلٌ مِنَ الْأَنْصَارِ فَقَالَ: يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ اقْبَلْ عَنِّي عَمَلَكَ. قَالَ: «وَمَا ذَاكَ؟» قَالَ: سَمِعْتُكَ تَقُولُ: كَذَا وَكَذَا قَالَ: «وَأَنَا أَقُولُ ذَلِكَ مَنِ اسْتَعْمَلْنَاهُ عَلَى عَمَلٍ فَلْيَأْتِ بِقَلِيلِهِ وَكَثِيرِهِ فَمَا أُوتِيَ مِنْهُ أَخَذَهُ وَمَا نُهِيَ عَنْهُ انْتَهَى» . رَوَاهُ مُسْلِمٌ وَأَبُو دَاوُد وَاللَّفْظ لَهُ

'Adi b. ‘Amira reported God’s Messenger as saying, “If any of you people is put in an administrative post on our behalf and conceals from us a needle or more, he is acting unfaithfully and will bring it on the day of resurrection.” One of the Ansar then got up and said, “Messenger of God, take back from me my post.” He asked what that meant and he told him he had heard him say such and such. He replied, “And I say that. If we appoint anyone to an office he must bring what is connected with it, both little and much. What he is given he may take, but he must refrain from what is kept away from him.” Muslim and Abu Dawud transmitted it, the wording being the latter’s.

وَعَن عبد الله بن عَمْرو قَالَ: لَعَنَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسلم الرَّاشِيَ وَالْمُرْتَشِيَ. رَوَاهُ أَبُو دَاوُدَ وَابْنُ مَاجَهْ وَرَوَاهُ التِّرْمِذِيّ عَنهُ وَعَن أبي هُرَيْرَة وَرَوَاهُ أَحْمَدُ وَالْبَيْهَقِيُّ فِي «شُعَبِ الْإِيمَانِ» عَنِ ثَوْبَانَ وَزَادَ: «وَالرَّائِشَ» يَعْنِي الَّذِي يَمْشِي بَيْنَهُمَا

'Abdallah b. ‘Amr told that God’s Messenger cursed the one who bribes and the one who takes bribes. Abu Dawud and Ibn Majah transmitted it. Tirmidhi transmitted it on ‘Abdallah’s authority and on that of Abu Huraira. Ahmad and Baihaqi, in Shu'ab al-iman, transmitted it on the authority of Thauban, who added that the raish is the go-between regarding a bribe.

وَعَن عَمْرِو بن العاصِ قَالَ: أَرْسَلَ إِلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «أَنِ اجْمَعْ عَلَيْكَ سِلَاحَكَ وَثِيَابَكَ ثُمَّ ائْتِنِي» قَالَ: فَأَتَيْتُهُ وَهُوَ يَتَوَضَّأُ فَقَالَ: «يَا عَمْرُو إِنِّي أَرْسَلْتُ إِلَيْكَ لِأَبْعَثَكَ فِي وُجْةٍ يُسَلِّمُكَ اللَّهُ وَيُغَنِّمُكَ وَأَزْعَبَ لَكَ زَعْبَةً مِنَ الْمَالِ» . فَقُلْتُ: يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ مَا كَانَتْ هِجْرَتِي لِلْمَالِ وَمَا كَانَتْ إِلَّا لِلَّهِ ولرسولِه قَالَ: «نِعِمَّا بِالْمَالِ الصَّالِحِ لِلرَّجُلِ الصَّالِحِ» . رَوَاهُ فِي «شَرْحِ السُّنَّةِ» وَرَوَى أَحْمَدُ نَحْوَهُ وَفِي روايتِه: قَالَ: «نِعْمَ المالُ الصَّالحُ للرَّجُلِ الصالحِ»

‘Amr b. al-'As said: God’s Messenger sent ordering me to collect my weapons and clothing and come to him. I came to him when he was performing ablution, and he said, “I sent for you, ‘Amr, to dispatch you on a matter in which God will keep you safe and grant you booty, and I shall make you an allotment from the spoil.” I replied, “My emigration, Messenger of God, was not for the sake of property, but was only for the sake of God and His Messenger.” He said, “Honest property is good 1 for an honest man.” It is transmitted in Sharh as- sunna, and Ahmad transmitted something similar. His version has “Good is honest property 2 for an honest man.” 1. Ni'imma bil mal as-salih. 2. Ni'ma’ al-mal as-salih.

عَنْ أَبِي أُمَامَةَ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ: «مَنْ شَفَعَ لِأَحَدٍ شَفَاعَةً فَأَهْدَى لَهُ هَدِيَّةً عَلَيْهَا فَقَبِلَهَا فَقَدْ أَتَى بَابًا عَظِيمًا مِنْ أَبْوَابِ الرِّبَا» . رَوَاهُ أَبُو دَاوُد

Abu Umama reported God’s Messenger as saying, “If anyone intercedes for, someone and that one gives him for it a present which he accepts, he has been guilty of a serious type-of usury.” Abu Dawud transmitted it.

عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُمَا عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ: «لَوْ يُعْطَى النَّاسُ بِدَعْوَاهُمْ لَادَّعَى نَاسٌ دِمَاءَ رِجَالٍ وَأَمْوَالَهُمْ وَلَكِنَّ الْيَمِينَ عَلَى الْمُدَّعَى عَلَيْهِ» . رَوَاهُ مُسْلِمٌ وَفِي «شَرْحِهِ لِلنَّوَوِيِّ» أَنَّهُ قَالَ: وَجَاءَ فِي رِوَايَةِ «الْبَيْهَقِيِّ» بِإِسْنَادٍ حَسَنٍ أَوْ صَحِيحٍ زِيَادَةٌ عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ مَرْفُوعًا: «لَكِنَّ الْبَيِّنَةَ على المدَّعي واليمينَ على مَنْ أنكر»

Ibn ‘Abbas reported the Prophet as saying, “If people were given what they asked when they brought a case some would claim the lives and property of others; but the oath must be taken by the defendant.” Muslim transmitted it. In the commentary on his work by Nawawi it says that in Baihaqi’s version with an isnad which is hasan or sahih there is an addition on the authority of Ibn ‘Abbas which is traced to the Prophet, “But the proof lies on the plaintiff and the oath must be taken by him who rejects the claim.”

وَعَنِ ابْنِ مَسْعُودٍ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «مَنْ حَلَفَ عَلَى يَمِينِ صَبْرٍ وَهُوَ فِيهَا فَاجِرٌ يَقْتَطِعُ بِهَا مَالَ امْرِئٍ مُسْلِمٍ لَقِيَ اللَّهَ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ وَهُوَ عَلَيْهِ غَضْبَانُ» فَأَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ تَصْدِيقَ ذَلِكَ: (إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يشترونَ بعهدِ اللَّهِ وأيمانِهمْ ثمنا قَلِيلا) إِلَى آخر الْآيَة

Ibn Mas'ud reported God’s Messenger as saying, “If anyone swears a firm oath, 1 acting wickedly thereby, and appropriates by it property belonging to a Muslim, God will be angry when he meets Him on the day of resurrection.” And God has sent down the verification of that, “Those who barter for a small price God's covenant and their oaths”2. (Bukhari and Muslim.) 1. Or an oath he is compelled to take. 2. Al-Qur’an, 3:77

وَعَنْ أَبِي أُمَامَةَ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «مَنِ اقْتَطَعَ حَقَّ امْرِئٍ مُسْلِمٍ بِيَمِينِهِ فَقَدْ أَوْجَبَ اللَّهُ لَهُ النَّارَ وَحَرَّمَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ الْجَنَّةَ» فَقَالَ لَهُ رَجُلٌ: وَإِنْ كَانَ شَيْئا يسير يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ؟ قَالَ: «وَإِنْ كَانَ قَضِيبًا من أَرَاك» . رَوَاهُ مُسلم

Abu Umama reported God’s Messenger as saying, “If anyone appropriates by his oath what rightly belongs to a Muslim, God has made hell necessary for him and deprived him of paradise.” A man asked God’s Messenger whether that applied even if it were a small amount, and he replied, “Even if it were a stick from an arak tree.” Muslim transmitted it.

وَعَنْ أُمِّ سَلَمَةَ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ: «إِنَّمَا أَنَا بَشَرٌ وَإِنَّكُمْ تَخْتَصِمُونَ إِلَيَّ وَلَعَلَّ بَعْضَكُمْ أَنْ يَكُونَ أَلْحَنَ بِحُجَّتِهِ مِنْ بَعْضٍ فَأَقْضِي لَهُ عَلَى نَحْوِ مَا أَسْمَعُ مِنْهُ فَمَنْ قَضَيْتُ لَهُ بِشَيْءٍ مِنْ حَقِّ أَخِيهِ فَلَا يَأْخُذَنَّهُ فَإِنَّمَا أَقْطَعُ لَهُ قِطْعَةً مِنَ النَّار»

Umm Salama reported God’s Messenger as saying, “I am only a human being and you bring your disputes to me, some perhaps being more eloquent in their plea than others, so that I give judgment on their behalf according to what I hear from them. Therefore whatever I decide for anyone which by right belongs to his brother he must not take, for I am granting him only a portion of hell.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

وَعَنْ عَائِشَةَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهَا قَالَتْ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «إِنَّ أَبْغَضَ الرِّجَالِ إِلَى اللَّهِ الْأَلَدُّ الخَصِمُ»

‘A'isha reported God’s Messenger as saying, “The man who is most hateful to God is the one who quarrels and disputes most.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

وَعَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ: أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسلم قضى بِيَمِين وَشَاهد. رَوَاهُ مُسلم

Ibn ‘Abbas said that God's Messenger gave a decision on the basis of an oath and a single witness. Muslim transmitted it.

وَعَنْ عَلْقَمَةَ بْنِ وَائِلٍ عَنْ أَبِيهِ قَالَ: جَاءَ رَجُلٌ مِنْ حَضْرَمَوْتَ وَرَجُلٌ مِنْ كِنْدَةَ إِلَى النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ فَقَالَ الْحَضْرَمِيُّ: يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ إِنَّ هَذَا غَلَبَنِي عَلَى أَرْضٍ لِي فَقَالَ الْكِنْدِيُّ: هِيَ أَرْضِي وَفِي يَدِي لَيْسَ لَهُ فِيهَا حَقٌّ فَقَالَ النَّبِيُّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ لِلْحَضْرَمِيِّ: «أَلَكَ بَيِّنَةٌ؟» قَالَ: لَا قَالَ: «فَلَكَ يَمِينُهُ» قَالَ: يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ إِنَّ الرَّجُلَ فَاجِرٌ لَا يُبَالِي عَلَى مَا حَلَفَ عَلَيْهِ وَلَيْسَ يَتَوَرَّعُ منْ شيءٍ قَالَ: «ليسَ لكَ مِنْهُ إِلَّا ذَلِكَ» . فَانْطَلَقَ لِيَحْلِفَ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ لَمَّا أَدْبَرَ: «لَئِنْ حَلَفَ عَلَى مَالِهِ لِيَأْكُلَهُ ظُلْمًا لَيَلْقَيَنَّ اللَّهَ وَهُوَ عَنهُ معرض» . رَوَاهُ مُسلم

‘Alqama b. Wa’il told on his father’s authority that a man from Hadramaut and man from Kinda came to the Prophet, the Hadrami saying, ‘‘Messenger of God, this man has seized land belonging to me,” and the Kindi saying, “It is my land and in my possession; he has no right to it.” The Prophet asked the Hadrami if he had any proof, but he replied that he had none, so he told him that he could have the other swear an oath. He replied, “Messenger of God, the man is a reprobate who would swear to anything and stick at nothing,” but he told him that that was his only recourse. The man went off to take an oath, and when he turned his back God’s Messenger said, “If he swears about his property to take it unjustly he will certainly find God turning away from him when he meets Him.” Muslim transmitted it.

وَعَنْ أَبِي ذَرٍّ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ أَنَّهُ سَمِعَ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يَقُولُ: «مَنِ ادَّعَى مَا لَيْسَ لَهُ فَلَيْسَ مِنَّا وَلْيَتَبَوَّأْ مَقْعَدَهُ مِنَ النَّارِ» . رَوَاهُ مُسْلِمٌ

Abu Dharr told that he heard God’s Messenger say, “If anyone claims what is not his he does not belong to us, and let him come to his seat in hell.” Muslim transmitted it.

وَعَنْ زَيْدِ بْنِ خَالِدٍ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «أَلَا أُخْبِرُكُمْ بِخَيْرِ الشُّهَدَاءِ؟ الَّذِي يَأْتِي بشهادتِه قبلَ أنْ يسْأَلهَا» . رَوَاهُ مُسلم

Zaid b. Khalid reported God’s Messenger as saying, “Shall I not tell you of the best witness? He is the one who produces his deposition before he is asked for it.” Muslim transmitted it.

وَعَنِ ابْنِ مَسْعُودٍ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «خَيْرُ النَّاسِ قَرْنِي ثُمَّ الَّذِينَ يَلُونَهُمْ ثُمَّ الَّذِينَ يَلُونَهُمْ ثُمَّ يَجِيءُ قَوْمٌ تَسبِقُ شَهَادَة أحدِهمْ يَمِينه وَيَمِينه شَهَادَته»

Ibn Mas'ud reported God’s Messenger as saying, “The best of men are my generation, then those who come next to them, then those who come next to them. Afterwards people will come who will give testimony before swearing an oath and swear an oath before giving testimony.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

وَعَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ عَرَضَ عَلَى قَوْمٍ الْيَمِينَ فَأَسْرَعُوا فَأَمْرَ أَنْ يُسْهَمَ بَيْنَهُمْ فِي اليَمينِ أيُّهُمْ يحْلِفُ. رَوَاهُ البُخَارِيّ

Abu Huraira told that the Prophet suggested to some people that they should swear an oath and when they hastened to do so he ordered that lots should be cast among them concerning the oath as to who should swear it. Bukhari transmitted it.

عَنْ عَمْرِو بْنِ شُعَيْبٍ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنْ جَدِّهِ أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ: «الْبَيِّنَةُ عَلَى الْمُدَّعِي وَالْيَمِينُ عَلَى الْمُدَّعَى عَلَيْهِ» . رَوَاهُ التِّرْمِذِيّ

‘Amr b. Shu'aib, on his father’s authority, told that his grandfather reported the Prophet as saying, “Proof lies on the plaintiff and the oath is to be sworn by the defendant.” Tirmidhi transmitted it.

وَعَنْ أُمِّ سَلَمَةَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهَا عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: فِي رَجُلَيْنِ اخْتَصَمَا إِلَيْهِ فِي مَوَارِيثَ لَمْ تَكُنْ لَهُمَا بَيِّنَةٌ إِلَّا دَعْوَاهُمَا فَقَالَ: «مَنْ قَضَيْتُ لَهُ بِشَيْءٍ مِنْ حَقِّ أَخِيهِ فَإِنَّمَا أَقْطَعُ لَهُ قِطْعَةً مِنَ النَّارِ» . فَقَالَ الرَّجُلَانِ: كُلُّ وَاحِدٍ مِنْهُمَا: يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ حَقِّي هَذَا لِصَاحِبِي فَقَالَ: «لَا وَلَكِنِ اذْهَبَا فَاقْتَسِمَا وَتَوَخَّيَا الْحَقَّ ثُمَّ اسْتَهِمَا ثُمَّ لْيُحَلِّلْ كُلُّ وَاحِدٍ مِنْكُمَا صَاحِبَهُ» . وَفِي رِوَايَةٍ قَالَ: «إِنَّمَا أَقْضِي بَيْنَكُمَا برأيي فِيمَا لم يُنزَلْ عليَّ فِيهِ» . رَوَاهُ أَبُو دَاوُد

Umm Salama told on the Prophet’s authority about two men, who brought a dispute before him about inheritances, but had no proof beyond their claim. He said, “If I give a decision in favour of one respecting what is rightly his brother’s I am allotting him only a portion of hell.” Thereupon both the men said, “Messenger of God, this right of mine may go to my brother,” but he replied, "No; rather go and divide it up, aiming at what is right, then draw lots, and let each of you consider the other to have what is legitimately his.” In a version he said, “I judge between you only by my opinion regarding matters about which no revelation has been sent down to me.” Abu Dawud transmitted it.

وَعَن جابرِ بن عبدِ الله: أَنَّ رَجُلَيْنِ تَدَاعَيَا دَابَّةً فَأَقَامَ كُلُّ وَاحِدٍ مِنْهُمَا الْبَيِّنَةَ أَنَّهَا دَابَّتُهُ نَتَجَهَا فَقَضَى بِهَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ لِلَّذِي فِي يدِهِ. رَوَاهُ فِي «شرح السّنة»

Jabir b. ‘Abdallah told that two men claimed an animal and both of them brought proof that it was his animal, the offspring of one of his beasts. God’s Messenger then gave his decision that it should go to the one who had it in his possession. It is transmitted in Sharh as-sunna.

وَعَن أبي مُوسَى الأشعريِّ: أَنَّ رَجُلَيْنِ ادَّعَيَا بَعِيرًا عَلَى عَهْدِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ فَبَعَثَ كُلُّ وَاحِدٍ مِنْهُمَا شَاهِدَيْنَ فَقَسَّمَهُ النَّبِيُّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ بَيْنَهُمَا نِصْفَيْنِ. رَوَاهُ أَبُو دَاوُدَ وَفِي رِوَايَةٍ لَهُ وَلِلنَّسَائِيِّ وَابْنِ مَاجَهْ: أَنَّ رَجُلَيْنِ ادَّعَيَا بَعِيرًا لَيْسَتْ لِوَاحِدٍ مِنْهُمَا بَيِّنَةٌ فَجَعَلَهُ النَّبِيُّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ بَيْنَهُمَا

Abu Musa al-Ash'ari told that two men laid claim to a camel in the time of God’s Messenger and both of them sent two witnesses, so the Prophet divided it in halves between them.* Abu Dawud transmitted it. A version by Nasa’i, Ibn Majah and him says that two men laid claim to a camel, but as neither of them could produce proof the Prophet declared they should share it equally. * I have kept closely to the Arabic in this translation because the alternative version follows immediately afterwards. The meaning of both versions is the same, viz. that both men were to have equal use of the camel.

وَعَن أبي هريرةَ أنَّ رجُلينِ اختَصما فِي دَابَّة وَلَيْسَ لَهما بَيِّنَةٌ فَقَالَ النَّبِيُّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «استهِما على اليَمينِ» . رَوَاهُ أَبُو دَاوُد وابنُ مَاجَه

Abu Huraira told that two men disputed about an animal but could produce no proof, so the Prophet said, “Cast lots about the oath.” Abu Dawud and Ibn Majah transmitted it.

وَعَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ: أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ لِرَجُلٍ حَلَّفَهُ: «احْلِفْ بِاللَّهِ الَّذِي لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا هُوَ مَاله عِنْدَكَ شَيْءٌ» يُعْنَى لِلْمُدَّعِي. رَوَاهُ أَبُو دَاوُدَ

Ibn ‘Abbas told that the Prophet said to a man whom he had asked to take an oath, “Swear by God than Whom there is no god that you have nothing belonging to him,” i.e. the plaintiff. Abu Dawud transmitted it.

وَعَن الأشعثِ بنِ قيسٍ قَالَ: كَانَ بَيْنِي وَبَيْنَ رَجُلٍ مِنَ الْيَهُودِ أرضٌ فحَجَدني فَقَدَّمْتُهُ إِلَى النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ فَقَالَ: «أَلَكَ بَيِّنَةٌ؟» قُلْتُ: لَا قَالَ لِلْيَهُودِيِّ: «احْلِفْ» قُلْتُ: يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ إِذَنْ يَحْلِفَ وَيَذْهَبَ بِمَالِي فَأَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى: (إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يشترونَ بعهدِ اللَّهِ وأَيمانِهِم ثمنا قَلِيلا) الْآيَة. رَوَاهُ أَبُو دَاوُد وَابْن مَاجَه

Al-Ash‘ath b. Qais said: A Jew and I shared some land and he denied my right, so I took him to the Prophet who asked me whether I had any proof. When I replied that I had none and he told the Jew to swear an oath, I said, “Messenger of God, he will swear an oath and go off with my property.” Then God most high sent down, “Those who barter for a small price God’s covenant and their oaths . . .” (Al-Qur’an, 3:77) Abu Dawud and Ibn Majah transmitted it.

وَعَنْهُ أَنْ رَجُلًا مَنْ كِنْدَةَ وَرَجُلًا مِنْ حَضْرَمَوْتَ اخْتَصَمَا إِلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ فِي أَرْضٍ مِنَ الْيَمَنِ فَقَالَ الْحَضْرَمِيُّ: يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ إِنَّ أَرْضِي اغْتَصَبَنِيهَا أَبُو هَذَا وَهَى فِي يَدِهِ قَالَ: «هَلْ لَكَ بَيِّنَةٌ؟» قَالَ: لَا وَلَكِنْ أُحَلِّفُهُ وَاللَّهِ مَا يَعْلَمُ أَنَّهَا أَرْضِي اغْتَصَبَنِيهَا أَبُوهُ؟ فَتَهَيَّأَ الْكِنْدِيُّ لِلْيَمِينِ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «لَا يَقْطَعُ أَحَدٌ مَالًا بِيَمِينٍ إِلَّا لَقِيَ اللَّهَ وَهُوَ أَجْذَمُ» فَقَالَ الْكِنْدِيُّ: هِيَ أرضُهُ. رَوَاهُ أَبُو دَاوُد

He told that a man of Kinda and a man of Hadramaut brought a dispute before God’s Messenger about land in the Yemen. The Hadrami said, “Messenger of God, this man’s father took my land forcibly from me, and it is in his hands.” He asked him if he had any proof, and he replied, “No, but I shall require him to swear by God he does not know it is my land which his father took forcibly from me.” The Kindi was prepared to take the oath, but when God’s Messenger said, “Anyone who appropriates property by an oath will meet God in a maimed condition,” the Kindi said, “It is his land.” Abu Dawud transmitted it.

وَعَن عبدِ اللَّهِ بنِ أُنَيْسٍ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «إِنَّ مِنْ أَكْبَرِ الْكَبَائِرِ الشِّرْكَ بِاللَّهِ وَعُقُوقَ الْوَالِدَيْنِ وَالْيَمِينَ الْغَمُوسَ وَمَا حَلَفَ حَالِفٌ بِاللَّهِ يَمِينَ صَبْرٍ فَأَدْخَلَ فِيهَا مِثْلَ جَنَاحِ بَعُوضَةٍ إِلَّا جُعِلَتْ نُكْتَةً فِي قَلْبِهِ إِلَى يَوْمِ الْقِيَامَةِ» . رَوَاهُ التِّرْمِذِيُّ وَقَالَ: هَذَا حَدِيثٌ غَرِيب

‘Abdallah b. Unais reported God’s Messenger as saying, “Among the most serious of major sins are attributing a partner to God, unfilial behaviour, and deliberate perjury. If anyone swears an oath which he is compelled to take (or a firm oath) and introduces into it as much falsehood as a gnat’s wing, a spot will be put in his heart till the day of resurrection.” Tirmidhi transmitted it, saying this is a gharib tradition.

وَعَنْ جَابِرٍ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «لَا يَحْلِفُ أَحَدٌ عِنْدَ مِنْبَرِي هَذَا عَلَى يَمِينٍ آثِمَةٍ وَلَوْ عَلَى سِوَاكٍ أَخْضَرَ إِلَّا تَبَوَّأَ مَقْعَدَهُ مِنَ النَّارِ أَوْ وَجَبَتْ لَهُ النَّارُ» . رَوَاهُ مَالِكٌ وَأَبُو دَاوُدَ وَابْنُ مَاجَهْ

Jabir reported God’s Messenger as saying, “If anyone swears a false oath near this pulpit of mine, even though it be about a green tooth stick, he will come to his place in hell,” or, “he will certainly go to hell.” Malik, Abu Dawud and Ibn Majah transmitted.

فاتكٍ قَالَ: صَلَّى رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ صَلَاةَ الصُّبْحِ فَلَمَّا انْصَرَفَ قَامَ قَائِمًا فَقَالَ: «عُدِلَتْ شَهَادَةُ الزُّورِ بِالْإِشْرَاكِ بِاللَّهِ» ثَلَاثَ مَرَّاتٍ. ثُمَّ قَرَأَ: (فَاجْتَنِبُوا الرِّجْسَ مِنَ الْأَوْثَانِ وَاجْتَنِبُوا قَوْلَ الزُّورِ حُنَفَاءَ لِلَّهِ غَيْرَ مُشْرِكِينَ بهِ) رَوَاهُ أَبُو دَاوُد وَابْن مَاجَه وَرَوَاهُ أَحْمَدُ وَالتِّرْمِذِيُّ عَنْ أَيْمَنَ بْنِ خُرَيْمٍ إِلَّا أَنَّ ابْنَ مَاجَهْ لَمْ يَذْكُرِ الْقِرَاءَةَ

Khuraim o. Fatik told that when God’s Messenger had finished praying the morning prayer he stood up and said three times, “False witness has been made equivalent to attributing a partner to God. He then recited, “So avoid the abomination of idols and avoid spreading falsehood as people pure of faith to God, not associating anything with Him." (Al-Qur’an, 22:30) Abu Dawud and Ibn Majah transmitted it and Ahmad and Tirmidhi transmitted it on the authority of Aiman b. Khuraim. Ibn Majah did not mention what he recited.

وَعَنْ عَائِشَةَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهَا قَالَتْ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «لَا تَجُوزُ شَهَادَةُ خَائِنٍ وَلَا خَائِنَةٍ وَلَا مَجْلُودٍ حَدًّا وَلَا ذِي غِمْرٍ عَلَى أَخِيهِ وَلَا ظَنِينٍ فِي وَلَاءٍ وَلَا قَرَابَةٍ وَلَا الْقَانِعِ مَعَ أَهْلِ الْبَيْتِ» . رَوَاهُ التِّرْمِذِيُّ وَقَالَ: هَذَا حديثٌ غريبٌ ويزيدُ بن زيادٍ الدِّمَشْقِي الرَّاوِي مُنكر الحَدِيث

‘A’isha reported God’s Messenger as saying, “The testimony of a deceitful man or woman, or of one who has been flogged for transgressing the bounds set by God, or of one who harbours rancour against his brother, or of one suspected regarding the patrons he claims or relationship, or of one who is dependent on a family is not allowable." Tirmidhi transmitted it, saying this is a gharib tradition and that the traditions of Yazid b. Ziyad ad-Dimashqi, the transmitter, are rejected.

وَعَنْ عَمْرِو بْنِ شُعَيْبٍ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنْ جَدِّهِ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ: «لَا تَجُوزُ شَهَادَةُ خَائِنٍ وَلَا خَائِنَةٍ وَلَا زَانٍ وَلَا زَانِيَةٍ وَلَا ذِي غِمْرٍ عَلَى أَخِيهِ» . وَرَدَّ شَهَادَةَ الْقَانِعِ لِأَهْلِ الْبَيَتْ. رَوَاهُ أَبُو دَاوُد

‘Amr b. Shu'aib, on his father’s authority, told that his grandfather reported the Prophet as saying, “The testimony of a deceitful man or woman, or of an immoral man or woman, or of one who harbours rancour against his brother is not allowable," and he rejected the testimony of one who is dependent on a family. Abu Dawud transmitted it.

وَعَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ عَنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ: «لَا تَجُوزُ شَهَادَةُ بَدَوِيٍّ عَلَى صَاحِبِ قَرْيَةٍ» . رَوَاهُ أَبُو دَاوُدَ وَابْنُ مَاجَه

Abu Huraira reported God's Messenger as saying, “The testimony of a nomadic Arab against a townsman is not allowable." Abu Dawud and Ibn Majah transmitted it.

وَعَنْ عَوْفِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ: أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَضَى بَيْنَ رَجُلَيْنِ فَقَالَ الْمَقْضِيُّ عَلَيْهِ لَمَّا أَدْبَرَ: حَسْبِيَ اللَّهُ وَنِعْمَ الْوَكِيلُ فَقَالَ النَّبِيُّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: " إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَعَالَى يَلُومُ عَلَى الْعَجْزِ وَلَكِنْ عَلَيْكَ بِالْكَيْسِ فَإِذَا غَلَبَكَ أَمْرٌ فَقُلْ: حَسْبِيَ اللَّهُ ونِعْمَ الوكيلُ ". رَوَاهُ أَبُو دَاوُد

‘Auf b. Malik told that the Prophet gave a decision between two men and that when the one against whom the decision had been given turned away he said, “My sufficiency is God, and good is the Guardian." Thereupon the Prophet said, “God most high blames for falling short, hut apply intelligence, and when a matter gets the better of you say, 'My sufficiency is God, and good is the Guardian’. (Al-Qur’an, 3:173) Abu Dawud transmitted it.

وَعَنْ بَهْزِ بْنِ حَكِيمٍ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنْ جَدِّهِ أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ حَبَسَ رَجُلًا فِي تُهْمَةٍ. رَوَاهُ أَبُو دَاوُدَ وزادَ التِّرْمِذِيّ وَالنَّسَائِيّ: ثمَّ خَلّى عَنهُ

Bahz b. Hakim, on his father’s authority, said his grandfather told that the Prophet imprisoned a man on suspicion. Abu Dawud transmitted it, and Tirmidhi and Nasa’i added that afterwards let him go.

عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ الزُّبَيْرِ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُمَا قَالَ: قَضَى رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ أَنَّ الْخَصْمَيْنِ يَقْعُدَانِ بَيْنَ يَدَيِ الْحَاكِمِ. رَوَاهُ أَحْمَدُ وَأَبُو دَاوُدَ

‘Abdallah b. az-Zubair told that God’s Messenger gave the decision that the two adversaries should be made to sit in front of the judge. Ahmad and Abu Dawud transmitted it.