'Ali b. Abu Talib (Allah be pleased with him) addressed us and said: He who thinks that we (the members of the Prophet's family) read anything else besides the Book of Allah and this Sahifa (and he said that Sahifa was tied to the scabbard of the sword) tells a lie. (This Sahifa) contains (problems) pertaining to the ages of the camels and (the recompense) of the injuries, and it also records the words of the Prophet (ﷺ): Medina is a sacred territory from 'Ayr to Thaur (it is most probably Uhud). He who innovates (an act or practice) or gives protection to an innovator, there is a curse of Allah and that of His angels and that of the whole humanity upon him. Allah will not accdpt from him (as a recompense) any obligatory act or supererogatory act, and the responsibility of the Muslims is a joint responsibility; even the lowest in rank can undertake the responsibility (on behalf of others), and he who claims anyone else as his father besides his own father or makes one his ally other than the one (who freed him), there is a curse of Allah. that of His angels and that of the wholemankind upon him. Allah will not accept the obligatory act of the supererogatery act (as a recompense) from him.
The Book of Emancipating Slaves - Sahih Muslim 1370 d
A comprehensive commentary on the noble hadith from Imam 'Ali ibn Abi Talib concerning the sanctity of Islamic teachings and the prohibition of innovation.
Contextual Analysis
This narration establishes the purity of the Prophet's household's sources of knowledge, confirming they adhered strictly to the Quran and the authentic Prophetic teachings contained in the Sahifa (scroll).
The Sahifa mentioned was physically attached to the sword's scabbard, indicating its practical importance in governance and judicial matters.
Legal Provisions Documented
The scroll contained specific legal rulings including compensation for injuries (diyat) and regulations concerning camel ages for zakat and other transactions.
It also documented the sacred boundaries of Medina, establishing it as a protected sanctuary (haram) where bloodshed and hunting are prohibited.
Prohibition of Religious Innovation
The severe warning against religious innovation (bid'ah) emphasizes that introducing new practices in worship or beliefs incurs divine curse and nullifies both obligatory and voluntary acts of worship.
Protecting or supporting innovators carries the same severe consequences, preserving the purity of Islamic teachings.
Collective Responsibility
The principle of joint responsibility among Muslims establishes that the lowest ranking Muslim can represent the community in matters of protection and peace agreements.
This reflects the Islamic concept of social solidarity and mutual responsibility within the ummah.
Prohibition of False Lineage
The curse upon those who falsely attribute themselves to other than their biological fathers protects lineage integrity, a fundamental Islamic value.
Similarly, claiming allegiance to other than one's emancipator violates the sacred bond of wala' (clientage) established through manumission.