I heard Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) saying, 'Both legal and illegal things are evident but in between them there are doubtful (suspicious) things and most of the people have no knowledge about them. So whoever saves himself from these suspicious things saves his religion and his honor. And whoever indulges in these suspicious things is like a shepherd who grazes (his animals) near the Hima (private pasture) of someone else and at any moment he is liable to get in it. (O people!) Beware! Every king has a Hima and the Hima of Allah on the earth is His illegal (forbidden) things. Beware! There is a piece of flesh in the body if it becomes good (reformed) the whole body becomes good but if it gets spoilt the whole body gets spoilt and that is the heart.
The Three Realms of Actions
The Prophet ﷺ divides human actions into three categories: the clearly lawful (halal), the clearly unlawful (haram), and the doubtful matters (shubuhāt) that lie between them. This classification serves as a divine mercy, guiding believers away from potential spiritual harm.
The majority of people lack proper knowledge concerning these doubtful matters, making it imperative for the seeker of salvation to exercise caution and avoid them entirely to preserve both religion and honor.
The Shepherd Analogy
Whoever engages in doubtful matters is likened to a shepherd grazing his flock near a protected pasture (Hima). Though initially outside the forbidden area, the proximity creates constant risk of trespassing. Similarly, indulging in doubtful matters inevitably leads to committing clear prohibitions.
Just as every earthly king has his protected domain, Allah's protected domain on Earth is His forbidden matters. This analogy emphasizes the sanctity of divine boundaries and the consequences of their violation.
The Heart's Paramount Importance
The final portion of this hadith directs attention to the spiritual core of human beings - the heart (qalb). The Prophet ﷺ identifies it as the decisive organ determining a person's ultimate state.
When the heart becomes righteous through avoiding doubtful matters and pursuing piety, the entire body follows in righteousness. Conversely, when the heart becomes corrupt, all bodily actions become corrupt. This establishes the heart's purification as the foundation of all religious practice.
Practical Implications
Scholars derive from this hadith the obligation to abandon doubtful matters out of caution for one's religion. This requires developing discernment through seeking knowledge and consulting scholars.
The preservation of honor comes not only from avoiding clear sins but also from steering clear of situations that may lead to suspicion or damage one's reputation among people.
Continuous heart examination becomes obligatory, as spiritual well-being depends entirely upon its condition. The believer must constantly nurture it through remembrance of Allah, repentance, and avoidance of doubtful matters.