I and Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) happened to pass by people near the date-palm trees. He (the Holy Prophet) said: What are these people doing? They said: They are grafting, i. e. they combine the male with the female (tree) and thus they yield more fruit. Thereupon Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said: I do not find it to be of any use. The people were informed about it and they abandoned this practice. Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) (was later) on informed (that the yield had dwindled), whereupon he said: If there is any use of it, then they should do it, for it was just a personal opinion of mine, and do not go after my personal opinion; but when I say to you anything on behalf of Allah, then do accept it, for I do not attribute lie to Allah, the Exalted and Glorious.
The Book of Virtues - Sahih Muslim 2361
This narration from Sahih Muslim demonstrates the profound distinction between the Prophet's ﷺ role as a recipient of divine revelation and his human judgment in worldly matters. The incident occurred when the Prophet ﷺ and his companion passed by people grafting date palms.
Scholarly Commentary
The initial opinion expressed by the Prophet ﷺ regarding palm grafting was based on his personal reasoning (ijtihad) rather than divine revelation. When the yield decreased after people abandoned the practice, the Prophet ﷺ clarified this crucial distinction.
This hadith establishes several important principles: The Prophet's ﷺ statements in mundane matters are subject to human judgment, while his religious pronouncements are binding revelation. It teaches Muslims to distinguish between prophetic infallibility in conveying revelation and his fallibility in worldly expertise.
Classical scholars emphasize that this incident demonstrates the Prophet's ﷺ humility and honesty in correcting his personal opinion, reinforcing his truthfulness in matters of religion. The companions' immediate compliance shows their understanding of this distinction.
Legal and Theological Implications
This narration serves as foundational evidence for the permissibility of independent reasoning (ijtihad) in Islam and clarifies that the Prophet's ﷺ personal opinions in worldly matters are not part of religious legislation unless confirmed by revelation.
Scholars derive from this that expertise in specialized fields should be sought from qualified professionals, as even the Prophet ﷺ deferred to practical experience in agricultural matters once its benefit was demonstrated.