Chapters on Tafsir

Unreviewed translation. All hadiths in this collection are available in five languages. Titles and introductions may remain in Arabic.

Al-Nu‘man ibn Bashir reported that the Prophet said, regarding Allah’s words, “Your Lord says, ‘Call upon Me; I will answer you’” (Qur’an 40:60): “Supplication is worship.” The Prophet then recited the verse through the words, “in humiliation.” Abu ‘Isa graded this hadith hasan sahih.

Unreviewed translation. All hadiths in this collection are available in five languages. Titles and introductions may remain in Arabic.

‘Adi ibn Hatim reported: ‘When the verse “Until the white thread of dawn becomes distinct to you from the black thread” (Qur’an 2:187) was revealed, the Prophet said to me, “It means the daylight’s whiteness against the night’s darkness.”’ Abu ‘Isa graded this hadith hasan sahih. A second chain reports the same wording.

Unreviewed translation. All hadiths in this collection are available in five languages. Titles and introductions may remain in Arabic.

‘Adi ibn Hatim reported: ‘I asked the Messenger of Allah about fasting. He recited, “Until the white thread becomes distinct to you from the black thread” (Qur’an 2:187). I took two cords, one white and the other black, and looked at them. The Messenger of Allah said something to me that Sufyan did not retain, then said, “It is only the night and the day.”’ Abu ‘Isa graded this hadith hasan sahih.

Unreviewed translation. All hadiths in this collection are available in five languages. Titles and introductions may remain in Arabic.

Aslam ibn ‘Imran al-Tujibi reported: ‘We were in a Roman city when a large Roman force came out against us. An equal or larger number of Muslims went out to meet them. ‘Uqbah ibn ‘Amir commanded the Egyptians, and Fadalah ibn ‘Ubayd commanded the whole force. A Muslim charged the Roman ranks and penetrated them. The people cried, “Glory be to Allah! He is throwing himself into destruction!” Abu Ayyub al-Ansari stood and said, “People, you are interpreting this verse this way, but it was revealed about us, the Ansar. When Allah strengthened Islam and its supporters grew in number, some of us privately said, without the Messenger of Allah, ‘Our wealth has been neglected. Now that Allah has strengthened Islam and increased its supporters, perhaps we should stay with our property and restore what has been neglected.’ Then Allah revealed to His Prophet, correcting our words: ‘Spend in Allah’s cause, and do not throw yourselves into destruction’ (Qur’an 2:195). Destruction meant staying with our wealth to tend and repair it, and abandoning the military expedition.’ Abu Ayyub continued campaigning in Allah’s cause until he was buried in Roman territory.’ Abu ‘Isa graded this hadith hasan sahih gharib.

Unreviewed translation. All hadiths in this collection are available in five languages. Titles and introductions may remain in Arabic.

Mujahid reported that Ka‘b ibn ‘Ujrah said: ‘By the One in whose hand is my soul, this verse was revealed concerning me, and I was the one it meant: “Whoever among you is ill or has an ailment of the scalp must offer a ransom of fasting, charity, or sacrifice” (Qur’an 2:196).’ He said: ‘We were with the Prophet at al-Hudaybiyah, in ihram, and the polytheists had blockaded us. I had thick hair, and lice were falling onto my face. The Prophet passed me and said, “Do the lice on your head bother you?” I said, “Yes.” He said, “Then shave.” This verse was revealed.’ Mujahid explained: ‘The fast is three days, the feeding is for six needy people, and the sacrifice is a sheep or more.’

A second chain reports a similar account from Ka‘b ibn ‘Ujrah through the Prophet; Abu ‘Isa graded it hasan sahih. A third chain also reports a similar account. Abu ‘Isa graded that report hasan sahih and noted that ‘Abd al-Rahman ibn al-Asbahani also narrated it from ‘Abd Allah ibn Ma‘qil.

Unreviewed translation. All hadiths in this collection are available in five languages. Titles and introductions may remain in Arabic.

‘Abd al-Rahman ibn Abi Layla reported from Ka‘b ibn ‘Ujrah: ‘The Messenger of Allah came to me while I was tending a pot over the fire, and lice were falling onto my forehead—or, he said, my eyebrow. He asked, “Are the lice on your head bothering you?” I said, “Yes.” He said, “Shave your head and offer a sacrifice, or fast for three days, or feed six needy people.”’ Ayyub said, ‘I do not know which option he mentioned first.’ Abu ‘Isa graded this hadith hasan sahih.

Unreviewed translation. All hadiths in this collection are available in five languages. Titles and introductions may remain in Arabic.

‘Abd al-Rahman ibn Ya‘mar reported that the Messenger of Allah said: ‘Hajj is ‘Arafah; Hajj is ‘Arafah; Hajj is ‘Arafah. The days at Mina are three. Whoever departs after two days bears no sin, and whoever stays longer bears no sin’ (Qur’an 2:203). ‘Whoever reaches ‘Arafah before dawn has attained Hajj.’ Sufyan ibn ‘Uyaynah said, ‘This is the best hadith al-Thawri narrated.’ Abu ‘Isa graded this hadith hasan sahih. Shu‘bah also narrated it from Bukayr ibn ‘Ata’, and it is known only through Bukayr ibn ‘Ata’.

Unreviewed translation. All hadiths in this collection are available in five languages. Titles and introductions may remain in Arabic.

‘A’ishah reported that the Messenger of Allah said: ‘The most hateful of men to Allah is the one who is stubbornly contentious.’ Abu ‘Isa graded this hadith hasan.

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Anas reported: ‘When a Jewish woman menstruated, they would not eat or drink with her, nor share their homes with her. The Prophet was asked about this, and Allah revealed, “They ask you about menstruation. Say: It is a state of discomfort” (Qur’an 2:222). The Messenger of Allah instructed them to eat and drink with menstruating women, remain with them in their homes, and do everything with them except sexual intercourse. The Jews said, “He leaves nothing of our practices without opposing us.” ‘Abbad ibn Bishr and Usayd ibn Hudayr came to the Messenger of Allah and asked, “Messenger of Allah, should we then have intercourse with them during menstruation?” The Prophet’s face changed, and they thought he was angry with them. They left, and a gift of milk came to the Prophet. He sent some after them for the two men to drink, and then they knew he had not been angry with them.’ Abu ‘Isa graded this hadith hasan sahih.

Unreviewed translation. All hadiths in this collection are available in five languages. Titles and introductions may remain in Arabic.

A second chain reports the preceding account with the same meaning. Jabir reported: ‘The Jews used to say that if a man approached his wife from behind, entering her vagina, the child would be cross-eyed. Then this verse was revealed: “Your wives are a tilth for you, so approach your tilth however you wish” (Qur’an 2:223).’ Abu ‘Isa graded this hadith hasan sahih.

Unreviewed translation. All hadiths in this collection are available in five languages. Titles and introductions may remain in Arabic.

Umm Salamah reported that the Prophet, concerning Allah’s words, “Your wives are a tilth for you, so approach your tilth however you wish” (Qur’an 2:223), said: “Meaning, through one opening.” Abu ‘Isa graded this hadith hasan. He identified Ibn Khuthaym as ‘Abd Allah ibn ‘Uthman, Ibn Sabit as ‘Abd al-Rahman ibn ‘Abd Allah ibn Sabit al-Jumahi al-Makki, and Hafsah as the daughter of ‘Abd al-Rahman ibn Abi Bakr al-Siddiq. The wording is also transmitted as “through one orifice.”

Unreviewed translation. All hadiths in this collection are available in five languages. Titles and introductions may remain in Arabic.

Ibn ‘Abbas reported: ‘“Umar came to the Messenger of Allah and said, ‘Messenger of Allah, I am ruined!’ He asked, ‘What has ruined you?’ ‘Umar replied, ‘I changed my riding position last night.’’ The Messenger of Allah did not answer him. Then Allah revealed to the Messenger of Allah: “Your wives are a tilth for you, so approach your tilth however you wish” (Qur’an 2:223): from the front or the back, but avoid the anus and intercourse during menstruation.’ Abu ‘Isa graded this hadith hasan gharib and identified Ya‘qub ibn ‘Abd Allah al-Ash‘ari as Ya‘qub al-Qummi.

Unreviewed translation. All hadiths in this collection are available in five languages. Titles and introductions may remain in Arabic.

Al-Hasan reported from Ma‘qil ibn Yasar: ‘During the Messenger of Allah’s time, I married my sister to a Muslim man. She stayed with him for some time, then he divorced her once and did not take her back before her waiting period ended. They later wished to reunite, and he proposed to her along with other suitors. I said to him, “You wretch! I honored you by marrying her to you, but you divorced her. By Allah, she will never return to you!” Allah knew of his need for her and her need for a husband, so He revealed, “When you divorce women and they reach the end of their waiting period…” through “…while you do not know” (Qur’an 2:232). When Ma‘qil heard it, he said, “I hear and obey my Lord.” Then he called the man and said, “I will marry her to you and honor you.”’ Abu ‘Isa graded this hadith hasan sahih and said it was reported through several routes from al-Hasan.

Abu ‘Isa explained that this hadith indicates that marriage requires a guardian (wali): Ma‘qil’s sister had previously been married, yet Ma‘qil acted as her guardian. He reasoned that, had the decision rested with her alone, she could have married herself without him. He noted that the verse addresses guardians: “Do not prevent them from marrying their husbands” (Qur’an 2:232). He concluded that the guardian has authority in arranging marriage, with the woman’s consent.

Unreviewed translation. All hadiths in this collection are available in five languages. Titles and introductions may remain in Arabic.

Abu Yunus, ‘A’ishah’s freedman, reported: ‘‘A’ishah instructed me to write a copy of the Qur’an for her. She said, “When you reach this verse, tell me: ‘Guard the prayers, especially the middle prayer, and stand before Allah in devotion’” (Qur’an 2:238). When I reached it, I told her, and she dictated: “Guard the prayers, especially the middle prayer—and the afternoon prayer—and stand before Allah in devotion.” She said, “I heard this from the Messenger of Allah.” A report from Hafsah is also cited on this topic. Abu ‘Isa graded this hadith hasan sahih.

Unreviewed translation. All hadiths in this collection are available in five languages. Titles and introductions may remain in Arabic.

Samurah ibn Jundab reported that the Prophet of Allah said: ‘The middle prayer is the afternoon prayer.’ Abu ‘Isa graded this hadith hasan sahih.

Unreviewed translation. All hadiths in this collection are available in five languages. Titles and introductions may remain in Arabic.

‘Ubaydah al-Salmani reported from ‘Ali that, on the day of the Confederates, the Prophet said: ‘O Allah, fill their graves and homes with fire, just as they kept us occupied and caused us to miss the middle prayer until the sun had set.’ Abu ‘Isa graded this hadith hasan sahih and noted that it was transmitted through other routes from ‘Ali. He identified Abu Hassan al-A‘raj as Muslim.

Unreviewed translation. All hadiths in this collection are available in five languages. Titles and introductions may remain in Arabic.

‘Abd Allah ibn Mas‘ud reported that the Messenger of Allah said: ‘The middle prayer is the afternoon prayer.’ Reports from Zayd ibn Thabit, Abu Hashim ibn ‘Utbah, and Abu Hurayrah are also cited on this topic. Abu ‘Isa graded this hadith hasan sahih.

Unreviewed translation. All hadiths in this collection are available in five languages. Titles and introductions may remain in Arabic.

Zayd ibn Arqam reported: ‘In the time of the Messenger of Allah, we used to talk during prayer. Then the verse “Stand before Allah in devotion” (Qur’an 2:238) was revealed, and we were commanded to remain silent.’ A second chain reports similar wording, adding, ‘We were forbidden to speak.’ Abu ‘Isa graded this hadith hasan sahih and identified Abu ‘Amr al-Shaybani as Sa‘d ibn Iyas.

Unreviewed translation. All hadiths in this collection are available in five languages. Titles and introductions may remain in Arabic.

Al-Bara’ reported from Abu Malik concerning Allah’s words, “Do not aim to give what is bad” (Qur’an 2:267): ‘This was revealed about us, the Ansar. We owned date palms, and each man brought dates in proportion to what he had. A man might bring one or two clusters and hang them in the mosque. The people of the Suffah had no food, so when one of them became hungry, he would strike a cluster with his stick and eat the unripe and ripe dates that fell. Some people who did not seek goodness brought clusters containing poor-quality, hard dates, or broken clusters, and hung them there. Then Allah revealed: “Believers, give from the good things you have earned and from what We have brought forth for you from the earth. Do not choose the bad to give away, when you would not accept it yourselves except with closed eyes” (Qur’an 2:267). They said, “If one of you were given something like what he gave, he would accept it only reluctantly and with embarrassment.” After that, each of us brought the best of what he had.’ Abu ‘Isa graded this hadith hasan gharib sahih. He identified Abu Malik as al-Ghifari, also said to be named Ghazwan, and noted that Sufyan narrated some of this from al-Suddi.

Unreviewed translation. All hadiths in this collection are available in five languages. Titles and introductions may remain in Arabic.

‘Abd Allah ibn Mas‘ud reported that the Messenger of Allah said: ‘Satan has an influence over the son of Adam, and the angel has an influence too. Satan’s influence is to threaten evil and deny the truth, while the angel’s influence is to promise good and affirm the truth. Whoever experiences the latter should know that it is from Allah and praise Allah. Whoever experiences the other should seek refuge in Allah from Satan, the accursed.’ Then he recited, ‘Satan threatens you with poverty and commands you to indecency’ (Qur’an 2:268). Abu ‘Isa graded this hadith hasan gharib and said it is the report of Abu al-Ahwas; he knew it as a raised report only through Abu al-Ahwas.