Chapters on Tafsir

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: ‘People, Allah is good and accepts only what is good. Allah commanded the believers with what He commanded the messengers. He said, “Messengers, eat from the good things and do righteous deeds; I know well what you do” (Qur’an 23:51), and, “Believers, eat from the good things We have provided for you” (Qur’an 2:172).’ Then he mentioned a man who travels a long distance, disheveled and covered in dust, raising his hands to heaven and saying, ‘My Lord, my Lord!’ Yet his food is unlawful, his drink is unlawful, his clothing is unlawful, and he has been nourished by what is unlawful. ‘How, then, can his supplication be answered?’ Abu ‘Isa graded this hadith hasan gharib. He said it is known only through Fudayl ibn Marzuq and identified Abu Hazim as al-Ashja‘i, Salman, the freedman of ‘Azzah al-Ashja‘iyyah.

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

Al-Suddi said: ‘An unnamed person who had heard ‘Ali report that when this verse was revealed—“Whether you disclose what is within yourselves or conceal it, Allah will call you to account for it; then He will forgive whom He wills and punish whom He wills” (Qur’an 2:284)—we were distressed.’ He said, ‘We asked, “If one of us has a thought within himself, will he be called to account for it? We do not know what of it will be forgiven and what will not.” Then this verse was revealed after it, abrogating it: “Allah does not burden a soul beyond its capacity. It will have the good it has earned, and it will bear the evil it has acquired” (Qur’an 2:286).’

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

Umayyah reported that she asked ‘A’ishah about Allah’s words, “Whether you disclose what is within yourselves or conceal it, Allah will call you to account for it” (Qur’an 2:284), and, “Whoever does evil will be requited for it” (Qur’an 4:123). ‘A’ishah replied, “No one has asked me about this since I asked the Messenger of Allah. He said, ‘This is Allah’s admonition to His servant through whatever befalls him, such as fever or hardship—even a small item he puts in his shirt pocket, then loses and becomes distressed over—until the servant’s sins are removed, just as red gold is refined in a furnace.’” Abu ‘Isa graded this a hasan gharib report from ‘A’ishah, known only through the narration of Hammad ibn Salamah.

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

Ibn ‘Abbas reported: ‘When the verse “Whether you disclose what is within yourselves or conceal it, Allah will call you to account for it” (Qur’an 2:284) was revealed, it weighed heavily on their hearts as nothing before had. They told the Prophet, and he said, “Say, ‘We hear and obey.’” Allah then placed faith in their hearts and revealed, “The Messenger believes in what has been sent down to him from his Lord, and so do the believers…” through “Allah does not burden a soul beyond its capacity. It will have the good it has earned, and it will bear the evil it has acquired. Our Lord, do not hold us accountable if we forget or make a mistake” (Qur’an 2:285–286). Allah said, “I have done so.” They continued, “Our Lord, do not place on us a burden like the one You placed on those before us.” Allah said, “I have done so.” They said, “Our Lord, do not burden us with what we cannot bear. Pardon us, forgive us, and have mercy on us.” Allah said, “I have done so.”’ Abu ‘Isa graded this hadith hasan and noted that it is also reported through another route from Ibn ‘Abbas. Adam ibn Sulayman was the father of Yahya ibn Adam. A report from Abu Hurayrah is also cited on this topic.

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

‘A’ishah reported: ‘I asked the Messenger of Allah about Allah’s words, “As for those in whose hearts is deviation, they follow what is ambiguous in it, seeking discord and seeking its interpretation” (Qur’an 3:7). He said, “When you see them, recognize them.”’ Yazid, one of the transmitters, said that she repeated, “When you see them, recognize them,” two or three times. 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’ishah reported that the Messenger of Allah was asked about the verse, “It is He who sent down to you the Book; some of its verses are clear…” through the end of the verse (Qur’an 3:7). The Messenger of Allah said: “When you see those who follow what is ambiguous in it, they are the ones Allah has identified, so beware of them.” Abu ‘Isa graded this hadith hasan sahih.

The report is also transmitted from Ayyub through Ibn Abi Mulaykah from ‘A’ishah. Several narrators report it from Ibn Abi Mulaykah without mentioning al-Qasim ibn Muhammad; only Yazid ibn Ibrahim al-Tustari includes al-Qasim in this chain. Ibn Abi Mulaykah was ‘Abd Allah ibn ‘Ubayd Allah ibn Abi Mulaykah, who also heard from ‘A’ishah.

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

‘Abd Allah reported that the Messenger of Allah said: ‘Every prophet has a close ally among the prophets, and my close ally is my forefather Ibrahim, the close friend of my Lord.’ Then he recited, ‘The people closest to Ibrahim are those who followed him, and this Prophet and those who believe. Allah is the ally of the believers’ (Qur’an 3:68).’ A second chain reports the same wording without the intermediary Masruq. Abu ‘Isa said this chain is more sound than the version through Abu al-Duha from Masruq, and identified Abu al-Duha as Muslim ibn Subayh. A third chain also reports the hadith without Masruq.

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

‘Abd Allah reported that the Messenger of Allah said: ‘Whoever knowingly swears a false oath to seize a Muslim’s property will meet Allah while He is angry with him.’ Al-Ash‘ath ibn Qays said, ‘By Allah, this happened to me. There was a piece of land disputed between me and a Jewish man, who denied my claim. I brought the case to the Prophet, and the Messenger of Allah asked me, “Do you have proof?” I said, “No.” He said to the Jewish man, “Swear an oath.” I said, “Messenger of Allah, if he swears, he will take my property.” Then Allah revealed, “Those who sell Allah’s covenant and their oaths for a small price…” to the end of the verse (Qur’an 3:77).’ Abu ‘Isa graded this hadith hasan sahih. A report from Ibn Abi Awfa is also cited on this topic.

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

Anas reported: ‘When the verse “You will never attain righteousness until you spend from what you love” (Qur’an 3:92)—or, “Who is it that will offer Allah a goodly loan?” (Qur’an 2:245)—was revealed, Abu Talhah, who owned a garden, said, “Messenger of Allah, I dedicate my garden to Allah. If I could keep it private, I would not make it public.” He replied, “Give it to your relatives,” or “your close relatives.”’ Abu ‘Isa graded this hadith hasan sahih and noted that Malik ibn Anas also narrated it from Ishaq ibn ‘Abd Allah ibn Abi Talhah, from Anas ibn Malik.

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

Ibn ‘Umar reported: ‘A man stood and asked the Prophet, “Who is the pilgrim, Messenger of Allah?” He replied, “The disheveled, unkempt one.” Another man asked, “Which Hajj is best?” He replied, “The one with loud talbiyah and flowing sacrificial blood.” Another asked, “What is the provision for the journey, Messenger of Allah?” He replied, “Provisions and a mount.”’ Abu ‘Isa said this report from Ibn ‘Umar is known only through Ibrahim ibn Yazid al-Khuzi al-Makki, whose memory was criticized by some hadith scholars.

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

‘Amir ibn Sa‘d ibn Abi Waqqas reported from his father: ‘When Allah revealed the verse, “Let us call our sons and your sons…” (Qur’an 3:61), the Messenger of Allah called ‘Ali, Fatimah, Hasan, and Husayn and said, “O Allah, these are my family.”’ Abu ‘Isa graded this hadith hasan gharib sahih and described Bukayr ibn Mismar as a trustworthy Medinan narrator.

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

Abu Ghalib reported: ‘Abu Umamah saw heads displayed on the steps of the mosque in Damascus and said, “They are dogs of the Fire, the worst slain beneath the heavens; the best of those slain are the ones they killed.”’ Then he recited, “On the Day when some faces will turn white and some faces will turn black…” to the end of the verse (Qur’an 3:106). I asked Abu Umamah, “Did you hear this from the Messenger of Allah?” He replied, “If I had not heard it once, twice, three times, or even four times”—and he continued counting to seven—“I would not have narrated it to you.” Abu ‘Isa graded this hadith hasan. He said Abu Ghalib was reportedly named Hazawwar and identified Abu Umamah al-Bahili as Sudayy ibn ‘Ajlan, a chief of Bahilah.

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 he heard the Prophet say concerning Allah’s words, “You are the best community brought forth for mankind” (Qur’an 3:110): “You complete seventy communities; you are the best of them and the most honored of them by Allah.” Abu ‘Isa graded this hadith hasan. More than one narrator transmitted similar wording from Bahz ibn Hakim without mentioning the Qur’anic phrase “You are the best community brought forth for mankind.”

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

Anas reported: ‘On the day of Uhud, the Prophet’s front tooth was broken and his face was wounded at the forehead until blood ran down his face. He said, “How can a people who do this to their Prophet succeed, when he is calling them to Allah?” Then the verse was revealed: “You have no say in the matter—whether He turns to them in mercy or punishes them…” to the end (Qur’an 3:128).’ 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.

Anas reported: ‘The Messenger of Allah was wounded in the face, his front tooth was broken, and he was struck in the shoulder. As blood flowed down his face, he wiped it and said, “How can a people succeed when they do this to their Prophet while he is calling them to Allah?” Then Allah Most High revealed: “You have no say in the matter—whether He turns to them in mercy or punishes them, for they are wrongdoers” (Qur’an 3:128).’ ‘Abd ibn Humayd said, “Yazid ibn Harun made a mistake in this report.” 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.

Salim ibn ‘Abd Allah ibn ‘Umar reported from his father: ‘On the day of Uhud, the Messenger of Allah said, “O Allah, curse Abu Sufyan! O Allah, curse al-Harith ibn Hisham! O Allah, curse Safwan ibn Umayyah!” Then the verse was revealed: “You have no say in the matter—whether He turns to them in mercy or punishes them” (Qur’an 3:128). Allah then turned to them in mercy; they accepted Islam and became good Muslims.’ Abu ‘Isa graded this hadith hasan gharib. He said it is unusual through ‘Umar ibn Hamzah from Salim, from his father. Al-Zuhri also narrated it from Salim, from his father; Muhammad ibn Isma‘il did not recognize it through ‘Umar ibn Hamzah but did recognize it through al-Zuhri.

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

‘Abd Allah ibn ‘Umar reported: ‘The Messenger of Allah was supplicating against four men when Allah revealed, “You have no say in the matter—whether He turns to them in mercy or punishes them, for they are wrongdoers” (Qur’an 3:128). Allah then guided them to Islam.’ Abu ‘Isa graded this hadith hasan gharib sahih and said this route through Nafi‘ from Ibn ‘Umar is unusual. Yahya ibn Ayyub also narrated it from Ibn ‘Ajlan.

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

Asma’ ibn al-Hakam al-Fazari reported that he heard ‘Ali say: ‘When I hear a hadith from the Messenger of Allah, Allah lets me benefit from it as He wills. If a Companion narrates a hadith to me, I ask him to swear an oath; once he swears, I believe him. Abu Bakr narrated to me—and Abu Bakr spoke the truth—that he heard the Messenger of Allah say: “There is no one who commits a sin, then performs ablution, prays, and seeks Allah’s forgiveness, but Allah will forgive him.” Then he recited, “Those who, when they commit an indecency or wrong themselves, remember Allah and seek forgiveness…” to the end of the verse (Qur’an 3:135).’

Abu ‘Isa noted that Shu‘bah and several others transmitted this report as a saying of the Prophet, while Mis‘ar and Sufyan ibn ‘Uyaynah did not raise it beyond ‘Ali. Some transmitters from Mis‘ar reported it as a Companion’s statement and others as a Prophetic report; Sufyan al-Thawri transmitted it as a Companion’s statement. Abu ‘Isa said this is the only hadith known from Asma’ ibn al-Hakam.

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

Anas reported from Abu Talhah: ‘I raised my head on the day of Uhud and looked around. Every one of them was swaying beneath his shield from drowsiness.’ This is the meaning of Allah’s words, “Then after distress He sent down upon you a feeling of security: slumber…” (Qur’an 3:154).’ Abu ‘Isa graded this hadith hasan sahih. Another chain reports the same account from al-Zubayr, and Abu ‘Isa also graded that version hasan sahih.

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

Anas reported from Abu Talhah: ‘On the day of Uhud, while we were in our ranks, we were overcome by drowsiness. I was among those whom sleep overcame that day. My sword kept falling from my hand; I would pick it up, and it would fall again, and I would pick it up. The other group were the hypocrites, who cared only for themselves—the most cowardly and terrified of people, the ones who most abandoned the truth.’ Abu ‘Isa graded this hadith hasan sahih.