Chapters on Tafsir

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

‘Umar ibn al-Khattab used to pray: ‘O Allah, make the ruling on wine clear to us in a healing, decisive way.’ Then the verse in al-Baqarah was revealed: “They ask you about wine and gambling…” (Qur’an 2:219). ‘Umar was summoned and it was recited to him. He prayed again, “O Allah, make the ruling on wine clear to us in a healing, decisive way.” Then the verse in al-Nisa’ was revealed: “Believers, do not approach prayer while intoxicated…” (Qur’an 4:43). ‘Umar was summoned and it was recited to him. He prayed again, “O Allah, make the ruling on wine clear to us in a healing, decisive way.” Then the verse in al-Ma’idah was revealed: “Satan only seeks to sow enmity and hatred among you through wine and gambling…” through “Will you not then abstain?” (Qur’an 5:91). ‘Umar was summoned, it was recited to him, and he said, “We abstain! We abstain!” Abu ‘Isa noted that this report is also transmitted as mursal.

A second chain through Abu Maysarah (‘Amr ibn Shurahbil) reports ‘Umar’s supplication and a similar account; Abu ‘Isa said this version is more sound than the one through Muhammad ibn Yusuf.

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Al-Bara’ reported: ‘Some of the Prophet’s Companions died before wine was prohibited. When it was prohibited, people asked, “What about our companions who died while drinking wine?” Then this verse was revealed: “There is no blame upon those who believe and do righteous deeds for what they consumed, if they are mindful of Allah, believe, and do righteous deeds” (Qur’an 5:93).’ Abu ‘Isa graded this hadith hasan sahih and noted that Shu‘bah also narrated it from Abu Ishaq, from al-Bara’.

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

Al-Bara’ ibn ‘Azib reported: ‘Some of the Prophet’s Companions died while they had been drinking wine. When its prohibition was revealed, some Companions asked, “What about our companions who died while drinking it?” Then the verse was revealed: “There is no blame upon those who believe and do righteous deeds for what they consumed…” (Qur’an 5:93).’ Abu ‘Isa graded this hadith hasan sahih and noted that Shu‘bah also narrated it from Abu Ishaq, from al-Bara’.

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

Ibn ‘Abbas reported: ‘They asked, “Messenger of Allah, what of those who died drinking wine, now that the prohibition of wine has been revealed?” Then this verse was revealed: “There is no blame upon those who believe and do righteous deeds for what they consumed, if they are mindful of Allah, believe, and do righteous deeds” (Qur’an 5:93).’ 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 Allah reported: ‘When the verse “There is no blame upon those who believe and do righteous deeds for what they consumed, if they are mindful of Allah, believe, and do righteous deeds” (Qur’an 5:93) was revealed, the Messenger of Allah said to me, “You are among them.”’ Abu ‘Isa graded this hadith hasan sahih.

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‘Ikrimah reported from Ibn ‘Abbas: ‘A man came to the Prophet and said, “Messenger of Allah, when I eat meat, I become aroused around women and my desire overcomes me, so I have forbidden meat to myself.” Then Allah revealed: “Believers, do not forbid the good things Allah has made lawful for you, and do not transgress; Allah does not love transgressors. Eat from what Allah has provided for you, lawful and good” (Qur’an 5:87–88).’ Abu ‘Isa graded this hadith hasan gharib. Some narrators reported it from ‘Uthman ibn Sa‘d as mursal, without Ibn ‘Abbas; Khalid al-Hadhdha’ also narrated it from ‘Ikrimah as mursal.

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Abu al-Bakhtari reported from ‘Ali: ‘When the verse “Pilgrimage to the House is a duty owed to Allah by all people who are able to make the journey” (Qur’an 3:97) was revealed, they asked, “Messenger of Allah, every year?” He remained silent. They asked again, “Messenger of Allah, every year?” He replied, “No. If I said yes, it would become obligatory.” Then Allah revealed, “Believers, do not ask about things which, if made clear to you, would trouble you” (Qur’an 5:101).’ Abu ‘Isa graded this report from ‘Ali hasan gharib. Reports from Abu Hurayrah and Ibn ‘Abbas are also cited on this topic.

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Anas ibn Malik reported: ‘A man asked, “Messenger of Allah, who is my father?” He replied, “Your father is so-and-so.” Then the verse was revealed: “Believers, do not ask about things which, if made clear to you, would trouble you” (Qur’an 5:101).’ Abu ‘Isa graded this hadith hasan gharib sahih.

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Abu Bakr al-Siddiq said: ‘People, you recite this verse: “Believers, take care of yourselves. Those who stray cannot harm you if you are guided” (Qur’an 5:105). I heard the Messenger of Allah say, “When people see a wrongdoer and do not restrain him, it is likely that Allah will soon encompass them all with punishment from Him.”’ Abu ‘Isa graded this hadith hasan sahih. More than one narrator reported similar wording from Isma‘il ibn Abi Khalid as a Prophetic report, while some narrated it from Isma‘il, from Qays, from Abu Bakr, as Abu Bakr’s own statement, without attributing it to the Prophet.

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Abu Umayyah al-Sha‘bani reported: ‘I went to Abu Tha‘labah al-Khushani and asked, “How do you understand this verse?” He asked, “Which verse?” I said, “Allah’s words: ‘Believers, take care of yourselves. Those who stray cannot harm you if you are guided’” (Qur’an 5:105). He said, “By Allah, you have asked someone who knows. I asked the Messenger of Allah about it. He said: ‘Rather, encourage one another to do what is right and forbid what is wrong, until you see greed being obeyed, desires being followed, worldly life being preferred, and everyone admiring his own opinion. At that time, attend to your own responsibility and leave the general public. Ahead of you are days when patience will be like holding a burning coal. Whoever acts righteously in those days will have the reward of fifty men who do deeds like yours.’” ‘Abd Allah ibn al-Mubarak added that someone other than ‘Utbah reported they asked, “Fifty men from among us, Messenger of Allah, or from among them?” He replied, “No, the reward of fifty from among you.”’ Abu ‘Isa graded this hadith hasan gharib.

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Ibn ‘Abbas reported from Tamim al-Dari concerning the verse, “Believers, when death approaches one of you, let there be testimony between you…” (Qur’an 5:106): ‘Only I and ‘Adi ibn Badda knew what happened. We were Christians who used to travel to Syria before Islam. We went there on business, and a freedman of Banu Sahm named Budayl ibn Abi Maryam arrived with merchandise. He had a silver cup, the most valuable part of his trade. He fell ill, entrusted his belongings to us, and asked us to deliver what he left to his family. When he died, we took the cup, sold it for one thousand dirhams, and divided the money between ‘Adi and me. When we returned to his family and handed over what we had, they asked about the missing cup. We said, “He left nothing else and entrusted nothing else to us.”’

Tamim continued: ‘After the Messenger of Allah came to Medina, I accepted Islam and felt guilty. I went to the man’s family, told them what had happened, and paid them five hundred dirhams. I told them my companion had the other five hundred. They brought him to the Messenger of Allah, who asked them for proof, but they had none. He instructed them to have ‘Adi swear by what was revered in his religion, and ‘Adi swore. Then Allah revealed, “Believers, when death approaches one of you, let there be testimony between you…” through “or else they may fear that oaths will be given after their oaths” (Qur’an 5:106–107). ‘Amr ibn al-‘As and another man stood and swore, and the five hundred dirhams were taken from ‘Adi ibn Badda.’ Abu ‘Isa graded this hadith gharib and said its chain is not sound. He identified Abu al-Nadr, from whom Muhammad ibn Ishaq narrated it, as Muhammad ibn al-Sa’ib al-Kalbi, known by the kunya Abu al-Nadr, whom hadith scholars abandoned. Muhammad ibn Isma‘il also said Muhammad ibn al-Sa’ib al-Kalbi was known as Abu al-Nadr. Abu ‘Isa said he knew no report from Salim Abu al-Nadr al-Madani from Abu Salih, the freedman of Umm Hani. A shortened version of part of this account is also reported from Ibn ‘Abbas by another route.

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

Ibn ‘Abbas reported: ‘A man from Banu Sahm travelled with Tamim al-Dari and ‘Adi ibn Badda. The man from Banu Sahm died in a land where there were no Muslims. When the two men returned with his estate, a silver cup inlaid with gold was missing. The Messenger of Allah had them swear an oath. Later the cup was found in Mecca, and someone said, “We bought it from ‘Adi and Tamim.” Two men among the heirs of the man from Banu Sahm stood and swore by Allah, “Our testimony is more rightful than theirs, and the cup belongs to our companion.”’ Ibn ‘Abbas said that the verse “Believers, let there be testimony between you…” (Qur’an 5:106) was revealed concerning them. Abu ‘Isa graded this report hasan gharib and identified it as the narration of Ibn Abi Za’idah.

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

‘Ammar ibn Yasir reported that the Messenger of Allah said: ‘The table spread with food was sent down from heaven with bread and meat. They were commanded not to betray the trust or save any of it for the next day. But they betrayed the trust, stored some for the next day, and were transformed into apes and pigs.’ Abu ‘Isa graded this report gharib. Abu ‘Asim and several others narrated it from Sa‘id ibn Abi ‘Arubah, from Qatadah, from Khilas, from ‘Ammar, as a Companion’s statement, not as a Prophetic report. Abu ‘Isa knew it as a marfu‘ report only through al-Hasan ibn Qaza‘ah. A second chain through Sufyan ibn Habib from Sa‘id ibn Abi ‘Arubah gives similar wording without attributing it to the Prophet. Abu ‘Isa said this version is more sound than al-Hasan ibn Qaza‘ah’s and that the raised version has no basis.

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 said: ‘Jesus was given his argument, and Allah guided him to it in His words, “And when Allah will say, ‘Jesus, son of Mary, did you tell the people, “Take me and my mother as gods besides Allah”?’” Jesus will answer, “Glory be to You! It was not for me to say what I had no right to say…”’ (Qur’an 5:116), through the end of the verse. 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 Allah ibn ‘Amr reported: ‘The last surah revealed was Surat al-Ma’idah.’ Abu ‘Isa graded this hadith hasan gharib. It is also reported from Ibn ‘Abbas that he said the last surah revealed was “When Allah’s help and victory come” (Surat al-Nasr, Qur’an 110).

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‘Ali reported that Abu Jahl said to the Prophet: ‘We do not call you a liar, but we reject what you have brought.’ Then Allah revealed, “It is not you they reject; rather, it is Allah’s signs that the wrongdoers deny” (Qur’an 6:33).’ A second chain reports similar wording from Najiya without mentioning ‘Ali; this is the more sound version.

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Jabir ibn ‘Abd Allah reported: ‘When the verse “Say: He is able to send punishment upon you from above you or from beneath your feet…” (Qur’an 6:65) was revealed, the Prophet said, “I seek refuge in Your Face.” When the words “or divide you into factions and make some of you taste the violence of others” were revealed, the Prophet said, “These two are less severe”—or, “these two are easier.”’ Abu ‘Isa graded this hadith hasan sahih.

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Sa‘d ibn Abi Waqqas reported that the Prophet said regarding Allah’s words, “Say: He is able to send punishment upon you from above you or from beneath your feet…” (Qur’an 6:65): “It will indeed happen, though its fulfillment has not yet come.” Abu ‘Isa graded this hadith hasan gharib.

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

‘Abd Allah reported: ‘When the verse “Those who believe and do not mix their faith with wrongdoing…” (Qur’an 6:82) was revealed, it troubled the Muslims. They asked, “Messenger of Allah, who among us has not wronged himself?” He replied, “That is not what it means; it means associating partners with Allah. Have you not heard what Luqman said to his son: ‘My son, do not associate partners with Allah; associating partners is indeed a great injustice’?” (Qur’an 31:13).’ 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.

Masruq reported: ‘I was reclining beside ‘A’ishah when she said, “Abu ‘A’ishah, whoever says any of three things has uttered a grave lie against Allah. Whoever claims that Muhammad saw his Lord has uttered a grave lie against Allah. Allah says, ‘Vision cannot encompass Him, while He encompasses all vision; He is the Subtle, the All-Aware’ (Qur’an 6:103), and, ‘It is not for a human being that Allah should speak to him except by revelation or from behind a veil’ (Qur’an 42:51).”

I sat up and said, “Mother of the Believers, give me time and do not rush me. Does Allah not say, ‘He saw him another time’ (Qur’an 53:13) and, ‘He saw him on the clear horizon’ (Qur’an 81:23)?” She said, “By Allah, I was the first to ask the Messenger of Allah about this. He said, ‘That was only Gabriel. I saw him in the form in which he was created only on these two occasions. I saw him descending from heaven, and his immense form filled the space between heaven and earth.’”

She continued: “Whoever claims that Muhammad concealed anything Allah revealed to him has uttered a grave lie against Allah. Allah says, ‘Messenger, proclaim what has been sent down to you from your Lord’ (Qur’an 5:67). Whoever claims that he knows what will happen tomorrow has uttered a grave lie against Allah. Allah says, ‘Say: None in the heavens or earth knows the unseen except Allah’ (Qur’an 27:65).” Abu ‘Isa graded this hadith hasan sahih and identified Masruq ibn al-Ajda‘, whose kunya was Abu ‘A’ishah, as Masruq ibn ‘Abd al-Rahman, the name recorded in the official register.