I was an interpreter between the people and Ibn `Abbas. Once Ibn `Abbas said that a delegation of the tribe of `Abdul Qais came to the Prophet (ﷺ) who asked them, "Who are the people (i.e. you)? (Or) who are the delegates?" They replied, "We are from the tribe of Rabi`a." Then the Prophet (ﷺ) said to them, "Welcome, O people (or said, "O delegation (of `Abdul Qais).") Neither will you have disgrace nor will you regret." They said, "We have come to you from a distant place and there is the tribe of the infidels of Mudar intervening between you and us and we cannot come to you except in the sacred month. So please order us to do something good (religious deeds) and that we may also inform our people whom we have left behind (at home) and that we may enter Paradise (by acting on them.)" The Prophet ordered them to do four things, and forbade them from four things. He ordered them to believe in Allah Alone, the Honorable the Majestic and said to them, "Do you know what is meant by believing in Allah Alone?" They replied, "Allah and His Apostle know better." Thereupon the Prophet (ﷺ) said, "(That means to testify that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah and that Muhammad is His Apostle, to offer prayers perfectly, to pay Zakat, to observe fasts during the month of Ramadan, (and) to pay Al-Khumus (one fifth of the booty to be given in Allah's cause)." Then he forbade them four things, namely Ad-Dubba.' Hantam, Muzaffat (and) An-Naqir or Muqaiyar (These were the names of pots in which alcoholic drinks used to be prepared). The Prophet (ﷺ) further said, "Memorize them (these instructions) and tell them to the people whom you have left behind."
The Delegation of Abdul Qais: A Comprehensive Guidance
This profound narration from Sahih al-Bukhari 87 presents a complete framework for Islamic faith and practice, delivered by the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) to sincere seekers of knowledge from distant lands.
The Five Pillars of Action
Shahadah (Testimony of Faith): The foundation of Islam - bearing witness that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad is His Messenger.
Salah (Prayer): Establishing the five daily prayers with their proper times, conditions, and manner of performance.
Zakat (Obligatory Charity): Purifying wealth through giving the prescribed portion to designated recipients.
Sawm (Fasting Ramadan): Abstaining from food, drink, and marital relations from dawn to sunset during the blessed month.
Khums (One-Fifth Booty): The specific ruling for war booty, demonstrating the comprehensive nature of Islamic economic principles.
The Four Prohibitions
The Prophet (ﷺ) specifically prohibited four types of containers used for fermenting alcoholic drinks: Ad-Dubba', Hantam, Muzaffat, and Naqir. Scholars explain this prohibition serves multiple wisdoms:
- Closing all avenues to intoxicants by prohibiting their means of production
- Demonstrating the comprehensive prohibition of all intoxicants
- Teaching the principle of blocking the means to evil (sadd al-dhara'i)
Scholarly Observations
This hadith illustrates the Prophet's teaching methodology - beginning with fundamentals, progressing to specifics, and concluding with practical implementation.
The delegation's acknowledgment "Allah and His Apostle know better" demonstrates proper etiquette when seeking knowledge - humility before the teacher.
The command to "memorize and convey" establishes the obligation of seeking knowledge and teaching it to others, making this narration a foundational text in Islamic pedagogy.