Chapters on Tafsir

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

‘Ali reported: ‘The day of the Greater Pilgrimage is the Day of Sacrifice.’

Abu ‘Isa said: This report is more authentic than the report of Muhammad ibn Ishaq. It has been transmitted through more than one route from Abu Ishaq, from al-Harith, from ‘Ali, as a statement of ‘Ali. We know of no one who traced it back to the Prophet except through Muhammad ibn Ishaq. Shu‘bah transmitted it from Abu Ishaq, from ‘Abdullah ibn Murrah, from al-Harith, from ‘Ali, as a statement of ‘Ali.

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

Anas ibn Malik reported: ‘The Prophet sent Abu Bakr with the proclamation of Bara’ah. Then he summoned him and said, “No one should convey this except a man from my family.” He then called for ‘Ali and gave it to him.’

Abu ‘Isa said: This is a hasan gharib report from Anas ibn Malik.

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

Ibn ‘Abbas reported: ‘The Prophet sent Abu Bakr and instructed him to proclaim these words. Then he sent ‘Ali after him. While Abu Bakr was on part of the road, he heard the groaning of the Prophet’s she-camel, al-Qaswa’, and came out alarmed, thinking it was the Messenger of Allah. It was ‘Ali. Abu Bakr handed him the Prophet’s letter, and the Prophet had instructed ‘Ali to proclaim these words. They then set out and performed Hajj. During the Days of Tashriq, ‘Ali stood and announced: “Allah and His Messenger disclaim all obligations toward every polytheist. So travel freely in the land for four months. No polytheist may perform Hajj after this year, no one may circumambulate the House naked, and none shall enter Paradise except a believer.” When ‘Ali became tired from making the announcement, Abu Bakr stood and proclaimed it.

Abu ‘Isa said: This is a hasan gharib report through this route from Ibn ‘Abbas.

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

Zayd ibn Yuthay‘ reported: ‘We asked ‘Ali what he had been sent to announce during the Hajj. He said: “I was sent with four instructions: no one is to circumambulate the House naked; anyone who has a treaty with the Prophet may keep it until its term expires, while anyone without a treaty has four months; none shall enter Paradise except a believer; and polytheists and Muslims are not to gather for Hajj after this year.”

Abu ‘Isa said: This is a hasan report, transmitted by Sufyan ibn ‘Uyaynah from Abu Ishaq. Al-Thawri transmitted it from Abu Ishaq, from one of his companions, from ‘Ali. A report on this topic is also related from Abu Hurayrah.

Nصر ibn ‘Ali and others transmitted a similar report through Sufyan ibn ‘Uyaynah, from Abu Ishaq, from Zayd ibn Yuthay‘, from ‘Ali. ‘Ali ibn Khashram also transmitted a similar version, naming Zayd as Ibn Uthay‘. Abu ‘Isa said that both forms of Zayd’s name are reported from Ibn ‘Uyaynah, but the correct form is Zayd ibn Uthay‘. Shu‘bah transmitted another report from Abu Ishaq and mistakenly called him Zayd ibn Uthayl; no one corroborated that wording. A report on this topic is also related from Abu Hurayrah.

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

Abu Sa‘id reported that the Messenger of Allah said: ‘When you see a man regularly attending the mosque, bear witness to his faith.’ Then he recited: “Allah’s mosques are maintained only by those who believe in Allah and the Last Day” (Qur’an 9:18).

Another chain from Abu Sa‘id reports the same from the Prophet, with the wording “who regularly looks after the mosque.” Abu ‘Isa said: This is a hasan gharib report. Abu al-Haytham was Sulayman ibn ‘Amr ibn ‘Abd al-‘Utawari, an orphan who was in the care of Abu Sa‘id al-Khudri.

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

Thawban reported: ‘When the verse “Those who hoard gold and silver…” (Qur’an 9:34) was revealed, we were with the Prophet on one of his journeys. Some of his Companions said, “What has been revealed about gold and silver has been revealed. If only we knew which wealth is best, so that we could acquire it.” He replied, “The best of it is a tongue that remembers Allah, a grateful heart, and a believing wife who helps him in his faith.”’

Abu ‘Isa said: This is a hasan report. I asked Muhammad ibn Isma‘il whether Salim ibn Abi al-Ja‘d had heard from Thawban. He said, “No.” I asked him which Companions Salim had heard from, and he said, “Jabir ibn ‘Abdullah, Anas ibn Malik,” and he named several others among the Prophet’s Companions.

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

‘Adi ibn Hatim reported: ‘I came to the Prophet with a gold cross around my neck. He said, “’Adi, remove this idol from yourself!” I heard him recite from Surat Bara’ah: “They have taken their rabbis and monks as lords besides Allah” (Qur’an 9:31). He said, “They did not worship them; rather, when they declared something lawful for them, they treated it as lawful, and when they declared something forbidden, they treated it as forbidden.”’

Abu ‘Isa said: This is a gharib report. We know it only through the report of ‘Abd al-Salam ibn Harb, and Ghatif ibn A‘yan is not known in hadith.

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

Anas reported that Abu Bakr told him: ‘When we were in the cave, I said to the Prophet, “If one of them were to look at his feet, he would see us beneath them.” He replied, “Abu Bakr, what do you think of two, when Allah is their third?”’

Abu ‘Isa said: This is a hasan sahih gharib report. It is known only through Hammam, who alone transmitted it. Habbān ibn Hilal and others also transmitted a similar report from Hammam.

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

Ibn ‘Abbas reported: ‘I heard ‘Umar ibn al-Khattab say: When ‘Abdullah ibn Ubayy died, the Messenger of Allah was summoned to perform the funeral prayer for him. He stood over him, and as he was about to pray, I moved to stand in front of his chest and said, “Messenger of Allah, will you pray for Allah’s enemy, ‘Abdullah ibn Ubayy, who said such-and-such on such-and-such a day?” I listed his offenses. The Messenger of Allah kept smiling until I had said a great deal, then said, “Move aside, ‘Umar. I was given a choice, and I chose. I was told: ‘Whether you ask forgiveness for them or do not ask forgiveness for them—even if you ask forgiveness for them seventy times, Allah will never forgive them’ (Qur’an 9:80). If I knew that asking more than seventy times would lead to his forgiveness, I would do so.”’

‘Umar continued: ‘Then the Messenger of Allah prayed over him, walked with the funeral procession, and stood at his grave until the burial was finished. I was amazed at my own boldness toward the Messenger of Allah, when Allah and His Messenger know best. By Allah, it was not long before these two verses were revealed: “Never pray over any of them who dies, nor stand at his grave…” (Qur’an 9:84), through the end of the verse. After that, the Messenger of Allah never prayed over a hypocrite or stood at his grave until Allah took him.’

Abu ‘Isa said: This is a hasan sahih gharib report.

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

Ibn ‘Umar reported: ‘When ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Abdullah ibn Ubayy’s father died, he came to the Prophet and said, “Give me your shirt so I can shroud him in it, pray over him, and ask forgiveness for him.” The Prophet gave him his shirt and said, “When you have finished, let me know.” When the Prophet was about to pray, ‘Umar pulled him back and said, “Has Allah not forbidden you to pray over hypocrites?” He replied, “I have been given the choice between two: ‘Whether you ask forgiveness for them or do not ask forgiveness for them…’ (Qur’an 9:80).” Then he prayed over him. Allah then revealed, “Never pray over any of them who dies, nor stand at his grave…” (Qur’an 9:84), and the Prophet thereafter stopped praying over them.’

Abu ‘Isa said: This is a hasan sahih report.

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: ‘Two men disagreed about the mosque founded upon piety from the very first day. One said, “It is the Mosque of Quba’,” and the other said, “It is the Mosque of the Messenger of Allah.” The Messenger of Allah said, “It is this mosque of mine.”’

Abu ‘Isa said: This is a hasan sahih gharib report from ‘Imran ibn Abi Anas. It has also been transmitted from Abu Sa‘id through another route, by Unays ibn Abi Yahya, from his father, from 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 said: ‘This verse was revealed about the people of Quba’: “There are men there who love to purify themselves, and Allah loves those who purify themselves” (Qur’an 9:108). He said: ‘They used water to cleanse themselves after relieving themselves, and this verse was revealed about them.’

Abu ‘Isa said: This is a gharib report through this route. Reports on this topic are also related from Abu Ayyub, Anas ibn Malik, and Muhammad ibn ‘Abdullah ibn Salam.

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

‘Ali reported: ‘I heard a man asking forgiveness for his parents, who were polytheists. I said to him, “You are asking forgiveness for your parents when they are polytheists?” He replied, “Did Ibrahim not ask forgiveness for his father, when he was a polytheist?” I mentioned this to the Prophet, and the verse was revealed: “It is not for the Prophet and those who believe to ask forgiveness for the polytheists…” (Qur’an 9:113).’

Abu ‘Isa said: This is a hasan report. A related report is narrated from Sa‘id ibn al-Musayyab, from his father.

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

‘Abd al-Rahman ibn Ka‘b ibn Malik reported from his father: ‘I never stayed behind from an expedition the Prophet undertook until Tabuk, except for Badr. The Prophet did not reproach anyone who stayed behind from Badr, because he had set out intending to intercept the caravan, while Quraysh came out to protect it; they met without planning to, as Allah, Mighty and Sublime, says. Although Badr is considered the most distinguished of the Prophet’s battles, I would not have wished to attend it in place of my pledge of allegiance on the night of al-‘Aqabah, when we bound ourselves to Islam. After that I never stayed behind from the Prophet until Tabuk, his last expedition. The Prophet announced the departure.’ The report then recounts the full account. Ka‘b said: ‘I went to the Prophet and found him sitting in the mosque among the Muslims, his face shining like the moon; when he was pleased by something, his face would shine. I sat before him, and he said, “Rejoice, Ka‘b ibn Malik, in the best day that has come to you since your mother gave birth to you.” I asked, “Is this from Allah or from you?” He replied, “From Allah.” Then he recited the verses: “Allah has turned in mercy to the Prophet, the Emigrants, and the Helpers who followed him in the hour of hardship…” through “Indeed, Allah is the Accepter of repentance, the Merciful” (Qur’an 9:117–118). He also recited: “Be mindful of Allah and be with the truthful” (9:119), which was revealed concerning us. I said, “Messenger of Allah, part of my repentance is that I will speak only the truth and give all my wealth in charity for Allah and His Messenger.” The Prophet said, “Keep some of your wealth; that is better for you.” I said, “Then I will keep my share at Khaybar.”’

Ka‘b continued: ‘After Islam, Allah bestowed no greater favor on me than my telling the truth to the Messenger of Allah, when my two companions and I did not lie and perish as those who lied did. I hope Allah will not test anyone through truthfulness as He tested me. I have never deliberately told a lie since then, and I hope Allah will protect me for the rest of my life.’

The compiler notes that this report is also transmitted from al-Zuhri with differing chains: some say ‘Abd al-Rahman ibn ‘Abdullah ibn Ka‘b ibn Malik, from his uncle ‘Ubaydullah, from Ka‘b, while Yunus ibn Yazid transmits from al-Zuhri, from ‘Abd al-Rahman ibn ‘Abdullah ibn Ka‘b ibn Malik, that his father told him from Ka‘b.

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

Al-Zuhri reported from ‘Ubayd ibn al-Sabbaq that Zayd ibn Thabit told him: ‘After the people were killed at al-Yamamah, Abu Bakr al-Siddiq sent for me, while ‘Umar ibn al-Khattab was with him. Abu Bakr said that ‘Umar had come to him and said: “Many Qur’an reciters were killed at al-Yamamah, and I fear that more reciters will be killed in other battles, so that much of the Qur’an may be lost. I think you should order that the Qur’an be collected.” Abu Bakr said, “How can I do something the Messenger of Allah did not do?” ‘Umar replied, “By Allah, it is good.” He kept urging me until Allah opened my heart to what He had opened ‘Umar’s heart, and I saw the wisdom in it.”’

Zayd continued: ‘Abu Bakr said, “You are a young, intelligent man, and we have no reason to suspect you. You used to write down the revelation for the Messenger of Allah, so trace and collect the Qur’an.” By Allah, had they charged me with moving a mountain, it would not have been heavier for me than this task. I asked, “How can you do something the Messenger of Allah did not do?” Abu Bakr replied, “By Allah, it is good.” Abu Bakr and ‘Umar kept urging me until Allah opened my heart as He had opened theirs. So I searched for the Qur’an and collected it from written sheets, palm stalks, thin stones, and from men’s memories. I found the end of Surat Bara’ah with Khuzaymah ibn Thabit: “There has come to you a Messenger from among yourselves; your suffering is grievous to him, he is deeply concerned for you, and toward the believers he is compassionate and merciful. If they turn away, say, ‘Allah is sufficient for me; there is no deity except Him. In Him I place my trust, and He is Lord of the Mighty Throne’” (Qur’an 9:128–129).’

Abu ‘Isa said: This is a hasan sahih report.

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

Al-Zuhri reported from Anas: ‘Hudhayfah came to ‘Uthman while the people of Syria and Iraq were campaigning to conquer Armenia and Azerbaijan. Hudhayfah saw them differing in their recitation of the Qur’an and said, “Commander of the Faithful, save this community before they differ over the Book as the Jews and Christians differed.” ‘Uthman asked Hafsah to send him the written sheets so they could be copied into codices and then returned. She sent them, and ‘Uthman ordered Zayd ibn Thabit, Sa‘id ibn al-‘As, ‘Abd al-Rahman ibn al-Harith ibn Hisham, and ‘Abdullah ibn al-Zubayr to copy them. He told the three Qurashis: “If you and Zayd differ about anything, write it in the dialect of Quraysh, for it was revealed in their tongue.” Once they had copied the sheets into codices, ‘Uthman sent a copy to each region.’

Al-Zuhri continued: ‘Kharijah ibn Zayd ibn Thabit told me that Zayd said: I missed a verse from Surat al-Ahzab that I had heard the Messenger of Allah recite: “Among the believers are men who were true to the covenant they made with Allah; some have fulfilled their vow…” (Qur’an 33:23). I searched for it and found it with Khuzaymah ibn Thabit—or Abu Khuzaymah—and inserted it in its surah.’

Al-Zuhri said: ‘They then disagreed over whether the word should be written al-tabut or al-tabuh. The Qurashis said al-tabut, while Zayd said al-tabuh. They referred the disagreement to ‘Uthman, who ordered them to write al-tabut, since it was revealed in the tongue of Quraysh.’

Al-Zuhri continued: ‘I was informed by ‘Ubaydullah ibn ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Utbah that ‘Abdullah ibn Mas‘ud objected to Zayd ibn Thabit’s copying of the codices. He said, “O Muslims, am I to be excluded from copying the written codex, and it entrusted to a man who, by Allah, was still in the loins of a disbeliever when I embraced Islam?”—meaning Zayd ibn Thabit. For this reason Ibn Mas‘ud told the people of Iraq, “Keep and conceal the codices you have, and bring them with you to Allah, for He says: ‘Whoever embezzles something will bring what he embezzled on the Day of Resurrection’ (Qur’an 3:161).” Al-Zuhri said: ‘I was told that some of the most distinguished Companions of the Prophet disapproved of Ibn Mas‘ud’s statement.’

Abu ‘Isa said: This is a hasan sahih report. It is al-Zuhri’s report, and we know it only through him.

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

Suhaib reported from the Prophet, concerning Allah’s words, “For those who do good is the best reward and more” (Qur’an 10:26): ‘When the people of Paradise enter Paradise, a caller will call out, “You have a promise with Allah that He intends to fulfill for you.” They will say, “Has He not brightened our faces, saved us from the Fire, and admitted us into Paradise?” Then the veil will be lifted. By Allah, Allah will have given them nothing dearer than looking upon Him.’

Abu ‘Isa said: Several transmitters from Hammad ibn Salamah related this as a report traced to the Prophet. Sulayman ibn al-Mughirah transmitted it from Thabit, from ‘Abd al-Rahman ibn Abi Layla, as his own statement, without mentioning Suhaib or the Prophet.

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

A man from Egypt reported through ‘Ata’ ibn Yasar: ‘I asked Abu al-Darda’ about the verse “For them are glad tidings in the life of this world” (Qur’an 10:64). He said, “No one has asked me about it since I asked the Messenger of Allah. He said: ‘No one has asked me about it since it was revealed except you. It refers to the righteous dream that a Muslim sees or that is seen for him.’”’

A similar report is transmitted through another chain from ‘Ata’ ibn Yasar and the Egyptian man, from Abu al-Darda’. Another chain transmits it from Abu Salih, from Abu al-Darda’, from the Prophet, without ‘Ata’ ibn Yasar in the chain. A report on this topic is also narrated from ‘Ubadah ibn al-Samit.

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

Ibn ‘Abbas reported that the Prophet said: ‘When Allah drowned Pharaoh, he said, “I believe that there is no deity except the One in whom the Children of Israel believe.” Jibril said, “Muhammad, if only you had seen me taking mud from the sea and stuffing it into his mouth, for fear that mercy might reach him.”’

Abu ‘Isa said: This is a hasan report.

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

Shu‘bah reported from ‘Adi ibn Thabit and ‘Ata’ ibn al-Sa’ib, from Sa‘id ibn Jubayr, from Ibn ‘Abbas; one of the two transmitters attributed to the Prophet a report that Jibril kept pushing clay into Pharaoh’s mouth, fearing he might say, “There is no deity but Allah,” and Allah might show him mercy—or simply fearing that Allah might show him mercy.

Abu ‘Isa said: This is a hasan sahih gharib report through this route.