The Book Concerning the Use of Correct Words

Author: Sahih Muslim

Hadith Reference: Sahih Muslim 2246 e

Textual Analysis

The prohibition "Do not curse Time, for it is Allah Who is Time" requires careful understanding. The Arabic term "ad-dahr" (time) is not to be understood literally as attributing divinity to time itself, but rather that Allah is the Creator and Controller of time.

Scholarly Interpretation

Imam An-Nawawi explains that this hadith prohibits cursing time because all events in time occur by Allah's decree and will. When people suffer misfortune and curse time, they are essentially objecting to Allah's divine arrangement.

Ibn Al-Athir clarifies that the phrase "for it is Allah Who is Time" means that Allah is the One who manages and disposes the affairs of time, not that time is an attribute of Allah's essence.

Practical Application

This teaching instructs believers to attribute all events to Allah's wisdom rather than cursing temporal circumstances. It cultivates patience and proper understanding of divine decree (qadr).

The prohibition extends to phrases like "Time has betrayed me" or "I am unlucky with time," as these imply objection to Allah's management of affairs.