I will have an intercourse with seventy wives during the night; all of them will give birth to a male child who will fight in the cause of Allah. His companion or the ang I said to him: Say," If God wills." But he (Hadrat Sulaimin) did not say so, and he forgot it. And none of his wives gave birth to a child, but one who gave birth to a premature child. Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said: Had he said Insha' Allah (if God so will). he would not have failed and his desire would have been materialised.
Exposition of the Hadith
This narration from Sahih Muslim (1654b) recounts the incident of a man from the Children of Israel who vowed to engage with seventy wives in a single night, anticipating that each would bear a son who would fight in Allah's cause. The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) clarified that the man neglected to condition his vow with "Insha'Allah" (if Allah wills), leading to the failure of his plan, with only one wife delivering a stillborn child.
Scholarly Commentary
This hadith underscores the imperative of coupling all future intentions and vows with "Insha'Allah," acknowledging that all outcomes are subject to Divine Will. The man's omission, though likely unintentional, resulted in his oath being unfulfilled, demonstrating that human capability is entirely dependent on Allah's decree.
Scholars explain that the phrase "Insha'Allah" embodies the believer's recognition of their ultimate reliance upon Allah, preventing arrogance in one's plans. The hadith also serves as a legal principle that vows concerning future events must be conditioned with this phrase to be valid, as absolute certainty about the future belongs to Allah alone.
Spiritual Lessons
This teaching instills humility, reminding Muslims that despite our efforts and intentions, success is granted solely by Allah's permission. It cautions against presumptuousness in speech and action, encouraging constant remembrance of our dependence on the Creator in all matters.