I used to write everything which I heard from the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ). I intended (by it) to memorise it. The Quraysh prohibited me saying: Do you write everything that you hear from him while the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) is a human being: he speaks in anger and pleasure? So I stopped writing, and mentioned it to the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ). He signalled with his finger to him mouth and said: Write, by Him in Whose hand my soul lies, only right comes out from it.
Hadith Commentary: The Permissibility of Recording Prophetic Traditions
This narration from Sunan Abi Dawud 3646 in the Book of Knowledge (Kitab Al-Ilm) addresses a fundamental concern regarding the preservation of Prophetic teachings. The Companion Abdullah ibn Amr ibn al-As initially recorded everything he heard from the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) to aid his memory, demonstrating the early Companions' dedication to preserving religious knowledge accurately.
The Quraysh's Objection and Its Refutation
The Quraysh objected based on the premise that the Prophet (ﷺ), being human, might speak in different emotional states. They feared recording statements made in anger or pleasure might not represent definitive religious guidance.
The Prophet's definitive response, sworn by Allah, establishes that everything emerging from his blessed mouth is truth and guidance. This refutes any notion that his speech could be influenced by human emotions in a way that compromises religious truth.
Scholarly Implications
This hadith provides explicit permission for writing down hadith, countering earlier temporary restrictions meant to distinguish Quran from other texts during revelation.
It establishes the infallibility of Prophetic speech in matters of religion, confirming that the Messenger (ﷺ) was protected from error in conveying divine guidance.
The narration underscores the importance of preserving religious knowledge through writing, ensuring accurate transmission to future generations.