Jami' at-Tirmidhi
Chapters on Tafsir
كتاب تفسير القرآن عن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم
Chapter 17
وَمِنْ سُورَةِ النَّحْلِ
Unreviewed translation. All hadiths in this collection are available in five languages. Titles and introductions may remain in Arabic.
Ubayy ibn Ka‘b reported: ‘On the day of Uhud, sixty-four men of the Helpers and six Emigrants were killed, including Hamzah, and their bodies were mutilated. The Helpers said, “If we ever get the chance to do the same to them, we will inflict even more on them.” On the day of the Conquest of Makkah, Allah revealed: “If you retaliate, then retaliate only to the extent of the harm done to you; but if you are patient, that is better for the patient” (Qur’an 16:126). A man said, “There will be no Quraysh left after today.” The Messenger of Allah said, “Leave the people alone, except for four.”’
Abu ‘Isa said: This is a hasan gharib report from Ubayy ibn Ka‘b.
Notes and open questions — unreviewed
Preserved the casualty figures and the exact exception of four people in the Prophet’s instruction.
Chapter 18
وَمِنْ سُورَةِ بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ
Unreviewed translation. All hadiths in this collection are available in five languages. Titles and introductions may remain in Arabic.
Abu Hurayrah reported that the Messenger of Allah said: ‘On the night I was taken on the Night Journey, I met Musa.’ He described him: ‘He was a man—if I recall correctly, he said “slender”—with straight hair, as though he were from the men of Shanū’ah.’ He said, ‘I met ‘Isa,’ and described him as ‘of medium build, ruddy, as if he had just come out of a bathhouse.’ He said, ‘And I saw Ibrahim. Of his descendants, I most closely resemble him.’ Then he was brought two vessels, one containing milk and the other wine, and told, ‘Choose whichever you wish.’ He chose the milk and drank it. He was told, ‘You were guided to the natural disposition’—or, ‘You chose the natural disposition. Had you chosen the wine, your community would have gone astray.’’
Abu ‘Isa said: This is a hasan sahih report.
Notes and open questions — unreviewed
Kept the narrator’s uncertainty about Musa’s build and the two alternative wordings for the natural disposition. Rendered dimas as bathhouse, as explained in the source.
Unreviewed translation. All hadiths in this collection are available in five languages. Titles and introductions may remain in Arabic.
Anas reported that on the night of the Night Journey, al-Buraq was brought to the Prophet bridled and saddled, but it balked at him. Jibril said to it, ‘Is this how you behave with Muhammad? By Allah, no one who has ever ridden you is more honored by Allah than he is.’ Then al-Buraq broke into a sweat.’
Abu ‘Isa said: This is a hasan gharib report. We know it only through the report of ‘Abd al-Razzaq.
Notes and open questions — unreviewed
Addressed Jibril’s rebuke to al-Buraq, as indicated by the preceding pronouns in the Arabic.
Unreviewed translation. All hadiths in this collection are available in five languages. Titles and introductions may remain in Arabic.
Ibn Buraydah reported from his father that the Messenger of Allah said: ‘When we reached Jerusalem, Jibril pointed with his finger and made a hole in the rock, then tethered al-Buraq to it.’
Abu ‘Isa said: This is a hasan gharib report.
Notes and open questions — unreviewed
Bait al-Maqdis rendered as Jerusalem; retained the detail that Jibril made a hole in the rock to tether al-Buraq.
Unreviewed translation. All hadiths in this collection are available in five languages. Titles and introductions may remain in Arabic.
Jabir ibn ‘Abdullah reported that the Messenger of Allah said: ‘When Quraysh called me a liar, I stood in the Hijr, and Allah made Jerusalem visible to me. I began telling them about its signs while looking at it.’
Abu ‘Isa said: This is a hasan sahih report. Reports on this topic are also narrated from Malik ibn Sa‘sa‘ah, Abu Sa‘id, Ibn ‘Abbas, Abu Dharr, and Ibn Mas‘ud.
Notes and open questions — unreviewed
Hijr refers to the semicircular enclosure beside the Ka‘bah; Bait al-Maqdis rendered as Jerusalem.
Unreviewed translation. All hadiths in this collection are available in five languages. Titles and introductions may remain in Arabic.
Ibn ‘Abbas explained Allah’s words, “We made the vision We showed you only as a trial for people” (Qur’an 17:60), as follows: ‘It was a vision seen with the eyes, shown to the Prophet on the night he was taken on the Night Journey to Jerusalem.’ He said that ‘the accursed tree in the Qur’an’ (17:60) is the tree of Zaqqūm.
Abu ‘Isa said: This is a hasan sahih report.
Notes and open questions — unreviewed
The Arabic explicitly explains the vision as something seen with the Prophet’s eyes during the Night Journey, and identifies the accursed tree as Zaqqūm.
Unreviewed translation. All hadiths in this collection are available in five languages. Titles and introductions may remain in Arabic.
Abu Hurayrah reported that the Prophet, explaining Allah’s words “and the recitation at dawn” (Qur’an 17:78), said: ‘The angels of the night and the angels of the day witness it.’
Abu ‘Isa said: This is a hasan sahih report. ‘Ali ibn Mushir transmitted a similar report from al-A‘mash, from Abu Salih, from Abu Hurayrah and Abu Sa‘id, from the Prophet. ‘Ali ibn Hujr related that route from ‘Ali ibn Mushir and al-A‘mash.
Notes and open questions — unreviewed
The Arabic says the dawn recitation is witnessed by angels of both night and day; the alternate chain also includes Abu Sa‘id.
Unreviewed translation. All hadiths in this collection are available in five languages. Titles and introductions may remain in Arabic.
Abu Hurayrah reported that the Prophet, explaining Allah’s words “The Day We will call every people with their record” (Qur’an 17:71), said: ‘A person will be summoned and given his record in his right hand. His body will be made sixty cubits tall, his face will be brightened, and a crown of glittering pearls will be placed on his head. He will go to his companions, who will see him from afar and say, “O Allah, bring this one to us and bless us through him!” When he reaches them, he will say, “Rejoice: each of you will have the like of this.”’
‘As for the disbeliever, his face will be darkened, and his body will be made sixty cubits tall in the form of Adam. He will be crowned, and his companions will see him and say, “We seek refuge in Allah from the evil of this one. O Allah, do not bring him to us!” When he comes to them, they will say, “O Allah, disgrace him!” He will say, “May Allah drive you away! Each of you has the like of this.”’
Abu ‘Isa said: This is a hasan gharib report. Al-Suddi’s name was Isma‘il ibn ‘Abd al-Rahman.
Notes and open questions — unreviewed
Rendered dhira‘ as cubits and preserved the contrasting scenes for the believer and disbeliever.
Unreviewed translation. All hadiths in this collection are available in five languages. Titles and introductions may remain in Arabic.
Abu Hurayrah reported that the Messenger of Allah was asked about Allah’s words, “It may be that your Lord will raise you to a praiseworthy station” (Qur’an 17:79). He replied: ‘It is intercession.’
Abu ‘Isa said: This is a hasan report. Dawud al-Za‘fari was Dawud al-Awdi, son of Yazid ibn ‘Abd al-Rahman, and he was the uncle of ‘Abdullah ibn Idris.
Notes and open questions — unreviewed
The report identifies the praised station as intercession; the compiler supplies the narrator’s full name and relation.
Unreviewed translation. All hadiths in this collection are available in five languages. Titles and introductions may remain in Arabic.
Ibn Mas‘ud reported: ‘In the year of the Conquest, the Messenger of Allah entered Makkah while 360 idols stood around the Ka‘bah. He began striking them with a staff he held—or, according to another wording, a stick—while reciting: “Truth has come and falsehood has vanished; falsehood is bound to vanish” (Qur’an 17:81), and “Truth has come, and falsehood can neither begin anything nor restore it” (34:49).’
Abu ‘Isa said: This is a hasan sahih report. A similar report is also related from Ibn ‘Umar.
Notes and open questions — unreviewed
The Arabic says 360 ansab (idols/stone figures); preserved both the stated number and the wording variant for the object used to strike them.
Unreviewed translation. All hadiths in this collection are available in five languages. Titles and introductions may remain in Arabic.
Ibn ‘Abbas reported: ‘The Prophet was in Makkah, then he was commanded to emigrate. Thereupon this verse was revealed to him: “Say, ‘My Lord, let me enter with truth and leave with truth, and grant me from Yourself a supporting authority’” (Qur’an 17:80).’
Abu ‘Isa said: This is a hasan sahih report.
Notes and open questions — unreviewed
Translated the supplication’s entry and departure wording naturally while preserving ‘truth’ in both clauses.
Unreviewed translation. All hadiths in this collection are available in five languages. Titles and introductions may remain in Arabic.
Ibn ‘Abbas reported: ‘Quraysh said to the Jews, “Give us something to ask this man.” They said, “Ask him about the Spirit.” They asked him, and Allah revealed: “They ask you about the Spirit. Say, ‘The Spirit is of my Lord’s command, and you have been given only a little knowledge’” (Qur’an 17:85). They said, “We have been given much knowledge: the Torah. Whoever has been given the Torah has been given abundant good.” Then this was revealed: “Say, ‘If the sea were ink for the words of my Lord, the sea would run out…’” (Qur’an 18:109).’
Abu ‘Isa said: This is a hasan sahih gharib report through this route.
Notes and open questions — unreviewed
Kept the exchange’s sequence and its shift from the question about the Spirit to the Torah and the abundance of Allah’s words.
Unreviewed translation. All hadiths in this collection are available in five languages. Titles and introductions may remain in Arabic.
‘Abdullah reported: ‘I was walking with the Prophet through a cultivated area in Madinah, and he was leaning on a palm stalk, when we passed a group of Jews. Some said, “Why don’t you ask him?” Others said, “Do not ask him; he may tell you something you dislike.” They said to him, “Abu al-Qasim, tell us about the Spirit.” The Prophet stood for a while and raised his head toward the sky. I realized that revelation was coming to him. When it had ended, he said: “The Spirit is of my Lord’s command, and you have been given only a little knowledge” (Qur’an 17:85).’
Abu ‘Isa said: This is a hasan sahih report.
Notes and open questions — unreviewed
Rendered harth as a cultivated field/orchard and preserved the pause while revelation came.
Unreviewed translation. All hadiths in this collection are available in five languages. Titles and introductions may remain in Arabic.
Abu Hurayrah reported that the Messenger of Allah said: ‘On the Day of Resurrection, people will be gathered in three groups: some walking, some riding, and some on their faces.’ They asked, ‘Messenger of Allah, how will they walk on their faces?’ He replied, ‘The One who made them walk on their feet is able to make them walk on their faces. They will shield their faces from every rise in the ground and every thorn.’
Abu ‘Isa said: This is a hasan report. Wuhayb also transmitted part of this report from Ibn Tawus, from his father, from Abu Hurayrah, from the Prophet.
Notes and open questions — unreviewed
Kept the three groups and the description of protecting their faces from uneven ground and thorns.
Unreviewed translation. All hadiths in this collection are available in five languages. Titles and introductions may remain in Arabic.
Bahz ibn Hakim reported from his father, from his grandfather, that the Messenger of Allah said: ‘You will be gathered walking, riding, and being dragged on your faces.’
Abu ‘Isa said: This is a hasan report.
Notes and open questions — unreviewed
Preserved the concise three-part description of the gathering.
Unreviewed translation. All hadiths in this collection are available in five languages. Titles and introductions may remain in Arabic.
Safwan ibn ‘Assal al-Muradi reported: ‘One Jew said to his companion, “Let us go to this prophet and ask him.” The other said, “Do not call him a prophet, for if he hears us say that, he will have four eyes.” They came to the Prophet and asked him about Allah’s words, “We gave Moses nine clear signs” (Qur’an 17:101). The Messenger of Allah said: “Do not associate anything with Allah; do not commit adultery; do not kill a soul Allah has forbidden except with right; do not steal; do not practice magic; do not bring an innocent person before a ruler so that he kills him; do not consume usury; do not accuse a chaste woman; and do not flee from battle”—Shu‘bah was uncertain about this wording. “And you Jews in particular, do not violate the Sabbath.”’
They kissed his hands and feet and said, ‘We testify that you are a prophet.’ He asked, ‘What prevents you from becoming Muslims?’ They said, ‘David prayed to Allah that there would always be a prophet among his descendants. We fear that if we become Muslims, the Jews will kill us.’
Abu ‘Isa said: This is a hasan sahih report. The wording is from Yazid ibn Harun; the meaning in the other versions is the same.
Notes and open questions — unreviewed
Kept Shu‘bah’s uncertainty attached to the instruction about fleeing from battle, and preserved the Jews’ stated reason for not converting.
Unreviewed translation. All hadiths in this collection are available in five languages. Titles and introductions may remain in Arabic.
Sa‘id ibn Jubayr, from Ibn ‘Abbas, explained Allah’s words, “Do not recite your prayer aloud, nor make it inaudible” (Qur’an 17:110): ‘It was revealed in Makkah. When the Messenger of Allah raised his voice reciting the Qur’an, the polytheists would insult him, the One who revealed it, and the one who brought it. So Allah revealed, “Do not recite your prayer aloud,” lest they insult the Qur’an, its Revealer, and the one who brought it; “nor make it inaudible,” so that your Companions can hear it and learn the Qur’an from you.’
Abu ‘Isa said: This is a hasan sahih report. Shu‘bah transmitted it from Abu Bishr, from Sa‘id ibn Jubayr, without mentioning Ibn ‘Abbas; Hushaym transmitted it with Ibn ‘Abbas in the chain.
Notes and open questions — unreviewed
The report explains both sides of the instruction: avoid a volume that provokes insults, but recite audibly enough for the Companions to learn.
Unreviewed translation. All hadiths in this collection are available in five languages. Titles and introductions may remain in Arabic.
Sa‘id ibn Jubayr, from Ibn ‘Abbas, explained Allah’s words, “Do not recite your prayer aloud, nor make it inaudible, but seek a way between those” (Qur’an 17:110): ‘It was revealed while the Messenger of Allah was in hiding in Makkah. When he led his Companions in prayer, he raised his voice reciting the Qur’an, and when the polytheists heard him they insulted the Qur’an, its Revealer, and the one who brought it. So Allah said to His Prophet, “Do not recite your prayer aloud”—that is, your recitation—lest the polytheists hear and insult the Qur’an; “nor make it inaudible” to your Companions; “but seek a way between those.”’
This is a hasan sahih report.
Notes and open questions — unreviewed
This version includes the middle course explicitly and identifies the Prophet as being in hiding in Makkah at the time.
Unreviewed translation. All hadiths in this collection are available in five languages. Titles and introductions may remain in Arabic.
Zirr ibn Hubaysh reported: ‘I asked Hudhayfah ibn al-Yaman, “Did the Messenger of Allah pray in Jerusalem?” He said, “No.” I said, “He did.” He replied, “You say that, bald one! On what basis do you say so?” I said, “The Qur’an is the judge between us.” Hudhayfah said, “Whoever argues from the Qur’an has succeeded”—Sufyan explained: “has made his case,” though he may have said, “has prevailed.”’
Zirr said: ‘I recited, “Glory be to the One who took His servant by night from the Sacred Mosque to the Farthest Mosque” (Qur’an 17:1). Hudhayfah asked, “Do you take that to mean he prayed there?” I said, “No.” He said, “Had he prayed there, prayer there would have been prescribed for you just as prayer in the Sacred Mosque was prescribed.”’
Hudhayfah continued: ‘A mount with a long back was brought to the Messenger of Allah, its stride stretching as far as the eye could see. The two of them remained on al-Buraq until they saw Paradise, the Fire, and all that was promised in the Hereafter, then returned the way they had come.’ Hudhayfah said: ‘People say it was tethered. Why? Was it feared that it would run away? The Knower of the unseen and the seen had subjected it.’
Abu ‘Isa said: This is a hasan sahih report.
Notes and open questions — unreviewed
The hadith denies that the Prophet prayed in Jerusalem during the Night Journey; it does not deny the journey there. Preserved the distinction made in the dialogue.
Unreviewed translation. All hadiths in this collection are available in five languages. Titles and introductions may remain in Arabic.
Abu Sa‘id al-Khudri reported that the Messenger of Allah said: ‘On the Day of Resurrection I will be the chief of the children of Adam—without boasting. The Banner of Praise will be in my hand—without boasting. Every prophet, from Adam onward, will be beneath my banner. I will be the first for whom the earth opens—without boasting.’
‘People will be struck with terror three times. They will go to Adam and say, “You are our father, Adam; intercede for us with your Lord.” He will say, “I committed a sin for which I was sent down to earth. Go to Noah.” They will go to Noah, who will say, “I prayed against the people of the earth, and they were destroyed. Go to Abraham.” They will go to Abraham, who will say, “I told three untruths.”’ The Messenger of Allah then said: ‘Each of those was spoken in defense of Allah’s religion. But go to Moses.’ They will go to Moses, who will say, ‘I killed a person. Go to Jesus.’ They will go to Jesus, who will say, ‘I was worshipped besides Allah. Go to Muhammad.’ They will come to me, and I will go with them.’
Ibn Jud‘an said: ‘Anas said: It is as though I can see the Messenger of Allah saying, “I will take hold of the ring on the gate of Paradise and rattle it. It will be said, ‘Who is there?’ It will be said, ‘Muhammad.’ They will open it for me and welcome me. I will fall down prostrating, and Allah will inspire me with words of praise and gratitude. I will be told, ‘Raise your head; ask, and you will be given; intercede, and your intercession will be accepted; speak, and your words will be heard.’ This is the Praiseworthy Station of which Allah says, ‘It may be that your Lord will raise you to a Praiseworthy Station’” (Qur’an 17:79).’ Sufyan said: ‘Of this report, only the words “I will take hold of the ring on the gate of Paradise and rattle it” are from Anas.’
Abu ‘Isa said: This is a hasan report. Some transmitters related the whole report from Abu Nadr, from Ibn ‘Abbas.
Notes and open questions — unreviewed
Preserved the threefold fear, the sequence of intercession requests, and Sufyan’s note that only the final phrase about the gate ring is attributed to Anas in this route.