The delegates of the tribe of `Abdul-Qais came and said, "O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)! We are from the tribe of Rabi`a, and there is the infidels of the tribe of Mudar intervening between you and us, so we cannot come to you except in the Sacred Months. So please order us some instructions that we may apply it to ourselves and also invite our people whom we left behind us to observe as well." The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "I order you (to do) four (things) and forbid you (to do) four: I order you to believe in Allah, that is, to testify that None has the right to be worshipped but Allah (the Prophet (ﷺ) pointed with his hand); to offer prayers perfectly; to pay Zakat; to fast the month of Ramadan, and to pay the Khumus (i.e. one-fifth) of the war booty to Allah and I forbid you to use Ad-dubba', An-Naqir, Al-Hantam and Al-Muzaffat (i.e. utensils used for preparing alcoholic drinks)." (See Hadith No. 50, Vol. 1).
Contextual Background
This narration from Sahih al-Bukhari 3095 describes the delegation from `Abdul-Qais tribe who traveled from eastern Arabia to meet the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ in Medina. Their geographical separation by hostile tribes limited their access to the Prophet primarily during the Sacred Months when warfare was prohibited.
The Five Pillars Framework
The Prophet's ﷺ response establishes the fundamental pillars of Islamic practice: Tawhid (monotheism), Salah (prayer), Zakat (charity), Sawm (fasting Ramadan), and Khums (one-fifth of booty). This demonstrates how essential obligations were taught to new Muslims in a comprehensive yet concise manner.
Significance of Khums
Khumus refers to the Islamic obligation of allocating one-fifth of war booty for Allah's cause. Classical scholars interpret this as being distributed among the Prophet's relatives, orphans, the needy, and wayfarers as specified in Quran 8:41. This establishes a divine right in acquired wealth and ensures proper distribution of resources.
Prohibited Vessels
The prohibition of Ad-dubba' (gourds), An-Naqir (hollowed tree trunks), Al-Hantam (green pottery), and Al-Muzaffat (pitched containers) relates to preventing intoxicant consumption. These vessels were commonly used for fermenting alcoholic drinks, and their prohibition serves as a means to eliminate the tools of sin.
Pedagogical Approach
The Prophet's ﷺ method of teaching through clear commands and prohibitions demonstrates effective religious instruction. By presenting four obligations and four prohibitions, he provided a balanced framework for both individual worship and social conduct, making complex religious laws accessible to new converts.