Chapters on Tafsir

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

Ibn ‘Abbas reported: ‘Some people came to the Prophet and asked, “Messenger of Allah, why may we eat what we kill, but not what Allah kills?” Then Allah revealed, “Eat from that over which Allah’s name has been mentioned, if you believe in His signs…” through “…and if you obey them, you will indeed be polytheists” (Qur’an 6:118–121).’ Abu ‘Isa graded this hadith hasan gharib. It is also reported from Ibn ‘Abbas through another route; some narrators report it from ‘Ata’ ibn al-Sa’ib, from Sa‘id ibn Jubayr, directly from the Prophet as a mursal report.

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: ‘Whoever wishes to see the testament bearing the seal of Muhammad, let him read these verses: “Say: Come, I will recite what your Lord has forbidden to you…” through “so that you may be mindful of Allah”’ (Qur’an 6:151–153). 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.

‘Atiyyah reported from Abu Sa‘id, attributing it to the Prophet, concerning Allah’s words, “or some of your Lord’s signs should come” (Qur’an 6:158): “The sun rising from its place of setting.” Abu ‘Isa graded this hadith hasan gharib and noted that some transmitters reported it without attributing it to the Prophet.

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: ‘There are three signs which, once they appear, will not benefit a soul that had not believed before: the Dajjal, the Beast, and the sun rising from its place of setting’—or, ‘from the west.’’ Abu ‘Isa graded this hadith hasan sahih. He identified Abu Hazim as al-Ashja‘i al-Kufi, 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.

Abu Hurayrah reported that the Messenger of Allah said: ‘Allah, Exalted and Mighty, whose word is true, says: “When My servant intends to do a good deed, record one good deed for him. If he does it, record it as ten good deeds. When he intends to do an evil deed, do not record it. If he does it, record one evil deed. If he leaves it”—or, he said, “does not do it”—“record one good deed for him.”’ Then the Prophet recited, “Whoever comes with a good deed will have ten like it” (Qur’an 6:160). 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 that the Prophet recited Allah’s words, “When his Lord manifested Himself to the mountain, He made it crumble…” (Qur’an 7:143). Hammad said, “Like this,” and Sulayman held the tip of his right thumb against the tip of his finger. Then the mountain collapsed, and Moses fell unconscious. Abu ‘Isa graded this hadith hasan gharib sahih and said it is known only through Hammad ibn Salamah.

A second chain from Hammad ibn Salamah, from Thabit, from Anas, reports similar wording from the Prophet. Abu ‘Isa graded that version hasan.

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

Muslim ibn Yasar al-Juhani reported that ‘Umar ibn al-Khattab was asked about Allah’s words, “When your Lord brought forth from the children of Adam, from their loins, their descendants, and made them testify about themselves, ‘Am I not your Lord?’ They said, ‘Yes indeed; we testify,’ lest you say on the Day of Resurrection, ‘We were unaware of this’” (Qur’an 7:172). ‘Umar said, “I heard the Messenger of Allah being asked about it. He said: ‘Allah created Adam, then wiped his back with His right hand and brought forth his descendants. He said, “I created these for Paradise, and they will do the deeds of the people of Paradise.” Then He wiped his back and brought forth more descendants, and said, “I created these for the Fire, and they will do the deeds of the people of the Fire.”’ A man asked, ‘Messenger of Allah, then what is the point of doing deeds?’ The Messenger of Allah replied: ‘When Allah creates a servant for Paradise, He enables him to do the deeds of the people of Paradise until he dies doing one of their deeds, and Allah admits him to Paradise. When He creates a servant for the Fire, He enables him to do the deeds of the people of the Fire until he dies doing one of their deeds, and Allah admits him to the Fire.’” Abu ‘Isa graded this hadith hasan. Muslim ibn Yasar did not hear from ‘Umar, and some narrators included an unnamed man between Muslim ibn Yasar and ‘Umar.

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: ‘When Allah created Adam, He wiped his back, and every soul among his descendants whom He would create until the Day of Resurrection emerged from it. He placed a gleam of light between each person’s eyes, then showed them to Adam. Adam asked, “My Lord, who are these?” He said, “They are your descendants.” Adam saw one man whose gleam between the eyes impressed him and asked, “My Lord, who is this?” He replied, “This is a man from the later generations of your descendants, called David.” Adam asked, “My Lord, how long is his lifespan?” He replied, “Sixty years.” Adam said, “My Lord, add forty years from my lifespan to his.” When Adam’s lifespan ended, the Angel of Death came to him. Adam asked, “Do I not still have forty years?” The angel replied, “Did you not give them to your son David?” The Prophet said, “Adam denied, so his descendants deny; Adam forgot, so his descendants forget; and Adam sinned, so his descendants sin.”’ Abu ‘Isa graded this hadith hasan sahih and noted that it is reported through other routes from Abu Hurayrah.

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 said: ‘When Eve became pregnant, Satan came around her. None of her children survived, so he said, “Name him ‘Abd al-Harith.” She named him ‘Abd al-Harith, and he lived. That was among Satan’s inspirations and commands.’ Abu ‘Isa graded this hadith hasan gharib and said it is known as a Prophetic report only through ‘Umar ibn Ibrahim, from Qatadah. Some narrators reported it from ‘Abd al-Samad without raising it to the Prophet. ‘Umar ibn Ibrahim was a Basran teacher.

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, “When Adam was created…”—then the narrator referred to the full hadith already cited above (Hadith 3076).

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

Mus‘ab ibn Sa‘d reported from his father: ‘On the day of Badr, I brought a sword and said, “Messenger of Allah, Allah has healed my heart of the polytheists”—or words to that effect—“so give me this sword.” He replied, “It is not mine to give, nor is it yours.” I thought, “Perhaps he will give it to someone who did not fight as I did.” Then a messenger came to me and said, “You asked me for it when it was not mine to give. Now it has become mine to give, and it is yours.”’ Then the verse was revealed: “They ask you about the spoils of war…” (Qur’an 8:1). Abu ‘Isa graded this hadith hasan sahih. Simak ibn Harb also narrated it from Mus‘ab ibn Sa‘d. A report from ‘Ubadah ibn al-Samit 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.

Ibn ‘Abbas reported: ‘When the Messenger of Allah had finished at Badr, someone said to him, “You should pursue the caravan; nothing less will do.” Al-‘Abbas called out while he was still bound, “That would not be right. Allah promised you one of the two groups, and He has already given you what He promised.” The Prophet said, “You have spoken the truth.”’ 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.

Ibn ‘Abbas reported from ‘Umar ibn al-Khattab: ‘The Prophet of Allah looked at the polytheists, who numbered one thousand, while his Companions numbered three hundred and ten and some. The Prophet faced the qiblah, stretched out his hands, and called fervently upon his Lord: “O Allah, fulfill what You promised me! O Allah, grant me what You promised me! O Allah, if You destroy this band of Muslims, You will not be worshipped on earth.” He continued calling upon his Lord with his hands outstretched and facing the qiblah until his cloak fell from his shoulders. Abu Bakr came, picked up the cloak, placed it back over his shoulders, embraced him from behind, and said, “Prophet of Allah, you have pleaded enough with your Lord; He will surely fulfill what He promised you.” Then Allah revealed: “When you called upon your Lord for help, He answered you: ‘I will reinforce you with a thousand angels, one after another’” (Qur’an 8:9). Allah reinforced them with angels.’ Abu ‘Isa graded this hadith hasan sahih gharib and said it is known from ‘Umar only through ‘Ikrimah ibn ‘Ammar, from Abu Zumayl. Abu Zumayl was named Simak al-Hanafi. This took place at Badr.

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

Abu Burdah ibn Abi Musa reported from his father that the Messenger of Allah said: ‘Allah sent down two protections for my community: “Allah would not punish them while you are among them,” and, “Allah would not punish them while they seek forgiveness” (Qur’an 8:33). When I have passed away, I will leave seeking forgiveness among them until the Day of Resurrection.’ Abu ‘Isa graded this hadith gharib and noted that Isma‘il ibn Ibrahim ibn Muhajir is considered weak in hadith.

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

‘Uqbah ibn ‘Amir reported that the Messenger of Allah recited from the pulpit, “Prepare against them whatever force you can” (Qur’an 8:60), then said: ‘Indeed, force is archery’—three times. ‘Allah will open lands for you and provide you with provisions, so none of you should neglect practicing with his arrows.’ Abu ‘Isa said that Abu Usamah and others narrated it from Usamah ibn Zayd, from Salih ibn Kaysan, from ‘Uqbah ibn ‘Amir, omitting the unnamed intermediary. He said Waki‘’s version is more sound. Salih ibn Kaysan did not meet ‘Uqbah ibn ‘Amir, though he did meet Ibn ‘Umar.

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: ‘On the day of Badr, when the captives were brought, the Messenger of Allah asked, “What do you say about these captives?” The report then mentions an account and continues: the Messenger of Allah said, “None of them is to be released except for ransom or execution.” I said, “Messenger of Allah, except for Suhayl ibn Bayda’, for I have heard him speak of Islam.” The Messenger of Allah remained silent. I had never feared stones falling from the sky upon me more than I did that day—until the Messenger of Allah said, “Except for Suhayl ibn Bayda’.”’ The Qur’an was then revealed in accordance with ‘Umar’s view: “It is not for a prophet to have captives until he has thoroughly subdued the land…” to the end of the verses (Qur’an 8:67–69). Abu ‘Isa graded this hadith hasan and noted that Abu ‘Ubaydah ibn ‘Abd Allah did not hear from his father.

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: ‘Spoils of war had not been made lawful to any black-haired people before you; a fire would descend from heaven and consume them.’ Sulayman al-A‘mash remarked, ‘Who would say this today other than Abu Hurayrah?’ At Badr, the Muslims took spoils before they had been made lawful for them, and Allah revealed: “Had it not been for a prior decree from Allah, a great punishment would have touched you for what you took” (Qur’an 8:68). Abu ‘Isa graded this hadith hasan sahih gharib through al-A‘mash.

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

Ibn ‘Abbas reported: ‘I asked ‘Uthman ibn ‘Affan, “What led you to place Surat al-Anfal, one of the shorter surahs, together with Surat Bara’ah, one of the hundred-verse surahs, without writing the line ‘In the name of Allah, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful’ between them, and to include them among the seven long surahs?” ‘Uthman replied: “At times, a long period would pass without revelation coming to the Messenger of Allah. Then several surahs would be revealed. When something was revealed, he would summon one of the scribes and say, ‘Place these verses in the surah that mentions such and such.’ When a single verse was revealed, he would say, ‘Place this verse in the surah that mentions such and such.’ Surat al-Anfal was among the first surahs revealed in Medina, and Surat Bara’ah was among the last parts of the Qur’an revealed. Their subject matter was similar, so I thought Bara’ah belonged with al-Anfal. The Messenger of Allah died without clarifying to us whether it belonged with it. For this reason I placed them together without writing the basmalah between them and included them among the seven long surahs.”’ Abu ‘Isa graded this hadith hasan and said it is known only through ‘Awf, from Yazid al-Farisi, from Ibn ‘Abbas. Yazid al-Farisi narrated more than one report from Ibn ‘Abbas and is said to be Yazid ibn Hurmuz. Abu ‘Isa distinguished him from Yazid al-Raqashi, who was Yazid ibn Aban al-Raqashi and did not meet Ibn ‘Abbas, narrating instead from Anas ibn Malik. Both were Basran Successors, and Yazid al-Farisi was earlier than Yazid al-Raqashi.

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

Sulayman ibn ‘Amr ibn al-Ahwas reported from his father, who attended the Farewell Pilgrimage with the Messenger of Allah: ‘The Prophet praised Allah, gave a reminder and exhortation, then asked three times, “Which day is most sacred?” The people replied, “The day of the Greater Pilgrimage, Messenger of Allah.” He said: “Your blood, property, and honor are sacred to one another, like the sanctity of this day, in this city, in this month. No one commits a crime except against himself; no father is responsible for his child’s crime, nor a child for his father’s. A Muslim is the brother of a Muslim, and nothing belonging to his brother is lawful for him except what his brother freely permits.

“Every usurious transaction from the Age of Ignorance is annulled. You are entitled to your principal: you neither wrong others nor are wronged. The usury owed to al-‘Abbas ibn ‘Abd al-Muttalib is annulled in full. Every blood claim from the Age of Ignorance is annulled. The first such claim I annul is the blood of al-Harith ibn ‘Abd al-Muttalib, who was nursed among Banu Layth and killed by Hudhayl.

“Treat women well. They are under your care, and you have no right over them beyond that, except if they commit a manifest indecency. If they do, then separate from them in their beds and strike them without causing injury. If they obey you, do not seek a way against them. You have rights over your wives, and they have rights over you. Your rights are that they not admit to your beds anyone you dislike or allow into your homes anyone you dislike. Their rights are that you provide them with good clothing and food.”’ Abu ‘Isa graded this hadith hasan sahih and noted that Abu al-Ahwas also narrated it from Shabib ibn Gharqadah.

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

‘Ali reported: ‘I asked the Messenger of Allah about the day of the Greater Pilgrimage, and he replied, “The Day of Sacrifice.”’