Regarding Surat At-Tawbah Jami` at-Tirmidhi 3092

Jami` at-Tirmidhi 3092
Arabic hadith text
حَدَّثَنَا ابْنُ أَبِي عُمَرَ، حَدَّثَنَا سُفْيَانُ، عَنْ أَبِي إِسْحَاقَ، عَنْ زَيْدِ بْنِ يُثَيْعٍ، قَالَ سَأَلْنَا عَلِيًّا بِأَىِّ شَيْءٍ بُعِثْتَ فِي الْحَجَّةِ قَالَ بُعِثْتُ بِأَرْبَعٍأَنْ لاَ يَطُوفَ بِالْبَيْتِ عُرْيَانٌ وَمَنْ كَانَ بَيْنَهُ وَبَيْنَ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم عَهْدٌ فَهُوَ إِلَى مُدَّتِهِ وَمَنْ لَمْ يَكُنْ لَهُ عَهْدٌ فَأَجَلُهُ أَرْبَعَةُ أَشْهُرٍ وَلاَ يَدْخُلُ الْجَنَّةَ إِلاَّ نَفْسٌ مُؤْمِنَةٌ وَلاَ يَجْتَمِعُ الْمُشْرِكُونَ وَالْمُسْلِمُونَ بَعْدَ عَامِهِمْ هَذَا ‏.‏قَالَ أَبُو عِيسَى هَذَا حَدِيثٌ حَسَنٌ وَهُوَ حَدِيثُ سُفْيَانَ بْنِ عُيَيْنَةَ عَنْ أَبِي إِسْحَاقَ وَرَوَاهُ الثَّوْرِيُّ عَنْ أَبِي إِسْحَاقَ عَنْ بَعْضِ أَصْحَابِهِ عَنْ عَلِيٍّ ‏.‏ وَفِي الْبَابِ عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ ‏.‏ حَدَّثَنَا نَصْرُ بْنُ عَلِيٍّ، وَغَيْرُ، وَاحِدٍ، قَالُوا حَدَّثَنَا سُفْيَانُ بْنُ عُيَيْنَةَ، عَنْ أَبِي إِسْحَاقَ، عَنْ زَيْدِ بْنِ يُثَيْعٍ، عَنْ عَلِيٍّ، نَحْوَهُ ‏.‏ حَدَّثَنَا عَلِيُّ بْنُ خَشْرَمٍ، حَدَّثَنَا سُفْيَانُ بْنُ عُيَيْنَةَ، عَنْ أَبِي إِسْحَاقَ، عَنْ زَيْدِ بْنِ أُثَيْعٍ، عَنْ عَلِيٍّ، نَحْوَهُ ‏.‏ قَالَ أَبُو عِيسَى وَقَدْ رُوِيَ عَنِ ابْنِ عُيَيْنَةَ، كِلْتَا الرِّوَايَتَيْنِ يُقَالُ عَنْهُ عَنِ ابْنِ أُثَيْعٍ، وَعَنِ ابْنِ يُثَيْعٍ، وَالصَّحِيحُ، هُوَ زَيْدُ بْنُ أُثَيْعٍ وَقَدْ رَوَى شُعْبَةُ، عَنْ أَبِي إِسْحَاقَ، عَنْ زَيْدٍ، غَيْرَ هَذَا الْحَدِيثِ فَوَهِمَ فِيهِ وَقَالَ زَيْدُ بْنُ أُثَيْلٍ وَلاَ يُتَابَعُ عَلَيْهِ ‏.‏ وَفِي الْبَابِ عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ
Translation
Narrated Zaid bin Yuthai'

"We asked 'Ali what he had been dispatched with during the Hajj. He said: 'I was sent with four: That there shall be no Tawaf around the House while naked, that if there is a treaty between someone and the Prophet (ﷺ), then the treaty remains until its expiration, and whoever does not have a treaty, then he has the span of four months, none shall enter Paradise except a believer, and the idolaters and Muslims shall not congregate (for Hajj) after this year.'"[Abu 'Eisa said:] This Hadith is Hasan Sahih. It is the narration of [Sufyan] bin 'Uyainah from Abu Ishaq. Sufyan Ath-Thawri reported it from Abu Ishaq, from some of his companions, from 'Ali, and there is something about it from Abü Hurairah. (Another chain) from Zaid bin Yuthai' from 'Ali with similar wordings.(Another chain) Zaid bin Uthal' from 'Ali with similar wordings.[Abu 'Eisa said:] Both narrations have been reported from Ibn 'Uyainah; from Ibn Uthai' and from Ibn Yuthai'. What is correct is that he is Zaid bin Yuthai'. Shu'bah reported a different narration from Abu Ishaq [from Zaid], and he was mistaken in it, he said: "From Zaid bin Uthail" and no one corroborated him in that. [There is something on this topic from Abu Hurairah].

Commentary

Overview & Central Theme

This hadith, recorded by Imam At-Tirmidhi in the Chapters on Tafsir (Jami` at-Tirmidhi 3092), narrates the mission of 'Ali ibn Abi Talib (may Allah be pleased with him) during the Hajj season of the 9th year after Hijrah (the "Year of Deputations"). The Prophet ﷺ dispatched him with four decisive proclamations, marking a watershed in the transition from the pre-Islamic era (Jahiliyyah) to the final, purified rites of Islam. The central theme is the absolute supremacy of Tawhid (monotheism), the sanctity of the believer, the inviolability of treaties, and the definitive end of polytheistic practices in the Sacred House. It underscores the Prophet's ﷺ comprehensive message—combining legal rulings, diplomatic protocol, and spiritual exclusivity—all delivered with clarity and authority during the most sacred gathering of the Arabs.

Context & Linguistic Insights

The historical context is the 9th year AH, following the conquest of Makkah, when the Prophet ﷺ sent Abu Bakr as Amir of the Hajj, and later dispatched 'Ali to recite Surah Bara'ah (At-Tawbah) to the people. Linguistically, the hadith contains key terms: Tawaf (circumambulation), naked (which refers to the pre-Islamic practice of circumambulating the Ka'bah without clothes, as the Quraysh had forbidden wearing garments they deemed "unworthy" for the House), treaty (al-'ahd, a binding agreement), four months (the grace period given to the polytheists, as mentioned in Surah At-Tawbah, verse 2), and none shall enter Paradise except a believer (a decisive declaration of the necessity of Iman). The phrase "idolaters and Muslims shall not congregate (for Hajj) after this year" establishes the permanent prohibition of polytheists from the Sacred Mosque, fulfilling the divine command in Surah At-Tawbah (9:28). The variant narrations regarding Zaid bin Yuthai' (vs. Uthail) highlight the meticulous care of hadith scholars in verifying names and chains.

Key Scholarly Insights & Legal Benefits

  • Sanctity of the Sacred Rites: The prohibition of Tawaf while naked establishes the principle of modesty (satr) as a prerequisite for the validity of worship near the Ka'bah, abrogating all pre-Islamic customs and affirming that Allah honors dignity and decency in all acts of devotion.
  • Diplomatic Integrity: The command to honor treaties until their expiration, while granting a four-month reprieve to those without treaties, demonstrates the Islamic principle of fulfilling covenants (al-wafa' bil-'ahd) and providing fair notice—a cornerstone of justice in international relations.
  • Exclusivity of Salvation: The declaration that none shall enter Paradise except a believer reinforces the fundamental creed of Ahlus-Sunnah: salvation is contingent upon sincere faith (Iman) in Allah and His Messenger ﷺ, coupled with righteous deeds, and that no polytheist or disbeliever will inherit Paradise.
  • Purity of the Sacred Sanctuary: The permanent ban on idolaters and Muslims congregating for Hajj together establishes the legal ruling that the Sacred Mosque is exclusively for believers, as derived from Quran 9:28, ensuring the spiritual purity of the holiest site on earth.
"Imam Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani (may Allah have mercy on him) stated in Fath al-Bari: 'This hadith contains the abrogation of the pre-Islamic practice of naked Tawaf, and the affirmation that the polytheists are barred from the Sacred Mosque—a ruling that remains until the Day of Judgment. It also highlights the wisdom of the Prophet ﷺ in delegating these proclamations to 'Ali, who was known for his eloquence and courage, to ensure the message was delivered with full authority and clarity.'"

Daily Life & Spiritual Application

This hadith teaches the believer to uphold purity in worship—both outwardly (in dress and conduct) and inwardly (in sincerity and intention). It calls us to honor our commitments, whether in personal relationships, business dealings, or community responsibilities, reflecting the prophetic model of trustworthiness. The exclusivity of Paradise for believers should inspire us to constantly renew our Iman through knowledge, prayer, and righteous action, while also reminding us of the importance of da'wah—inviting others to the truth with wisdom and gentleness, as the Prophet ﷺ did through structured, compassionate proclamation. In our daily lives, we can embody these principles by ensuring our acts of worship are free from ostentation, by being people of integrity in our promises, and by striving to keep our hearts and homes pure from anything that displeases Allah. The hadith also encourages us to respect the sanctity of sacred spaces and times, and to approach our faith with the same seriousness and devotion that 'Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) demonstrated in delivering this momentous message.