The Office of the Judge (Kitab Al-Aqdiyah)

Sunan Abi Dawud 3571

Hadith Text

The Prophet (ﷺ) said: "He who has been appointed a judge has been killed without a knife."

Commentary

This profound hadith from Sunan Abi Dawud illustrates the immense responsibility and spiritual danger inherent in judicial authority. The metaphor of being "killed without a knife" signifies that improper judgment leads to spiritual death and divine punishment, even if the judge remains physically unharmed.

Classical scholars explain this refers to the judge who rules unjustly, either through ignorance of Islamic law or deliberate deviation from truth. Such a judge destroys his own soul while appearing outwardly intact. The position requires perfect knowledge, absolute integrity, and fear of Allah's accountability.

Imam Al-Khattabi comments that this warning emphasizes the gravity of judicial responsibility - where errors in judgment can lead to eternal ruin. A judge must possess comprehensive knowledge of Quran, Sunnah, and legal principles, and must exercise extreme caution in verdicts.

The hadith serves as both a warning to those seeking judgeship for worldly gain and an encouragement for qualified scholars to accept this duty with proper reverence and preparation, recognizing it as a sacred trust from Allah.