Sunan an-Nasa'i: The Book of the Etiquette of Judges

The Prophet [SAW] said: "Those who are just and fair will be with Allah, Most High, on thrones of light, at the right hand of the Most Merciful, those who are just in their rulings and in their dealings with their families and those of whom they are in charge." Muhammad (one of the narrators) said in his Hadith: "And both of His hands are right hands."

The Messenger of Allah [SAW] said: "There are seven whom Allah, the Mighty and Sublime, will shade with His shade on the Day of Resurrection, the Day when there will be no shade but His: A just ruler, a young man who grows up worshipping Allah, the Mighty and Sublime; a man who remembers Allah when he is alone and his eyes flow (with tears); a man whose heart is attached to the Masjid; two men who love each other for the sake of Allah, the Mighty and Sublime; a man who is called (to commit sin) by a woman of high status and beauty, but he says: 'I fear Allah'; and a man who gives charity and conceals it, so that his left hand does not know what his right hand is doing."

"The Messenger of Allah [SAW] said: 'If a judge passes judgment and strives to reach the right conclusion and gets it right, he will have two rewards; if he strives to reach the right conclusion but gets it wrong, he will still have one reward."

"Some people from among the Ash'aris came to me and said: 'Go with us to the Messenger of Allah [SAW], for we have something to ask him.' So I went with them, and they said: 'O Messenger of Allah, use us to do your work.'" Abu Musa said: "I apologized for what they said, and I told him that I did not know what they were going to ask. He believed me and excused me, and said: 'We do not appoint for our work anyone who asks for that.'"

A man from among the Ansar came to the Messenger of Allah [SAW] and said: "Will you not appoint me as you appointed so-and-so?" He said: "You will encounter selfishness after I am gone, so be patient until you meet me at the cistern (Al-Hawd)."

"The Messenger of Allah [SAW] said: 'Do not ask for governorship. For if it is given to you because of asking, you will be left to your own devices, but if it is given to you without asking, you will be helped (by Allah).'"

The Prophet [SAW] said: "You will be keen for governorship but it will be regret and loss on the Day of Resurrection. What a good position it is when they are alive, but how miserable their state when they die (and leave it behind)."

A group from Banu Tamim came to the Prophet [SAW]. Abu Bakr said: "Appoint Al-Qa'qa' bin Ma'bad (as commander or governor)," and 'Umar said: "No, (appoint) Al-Aqra' bin Habis." They argued until they began to raise their voices, then the words were revealed: "O you who believe! Make not (a decision) in advance before Allah and His Messenger..." until the end of the Verse: "And if they had patience till you could come out to them, it would have been better for them."

When he came to the Messenger of Allah [SAW] and he heard them calling Hani' by the nickname of Abu Al-Hakam, the Messenger of Allah [SAW] called him and said to him: "Allah is Al-Hakam (the Judge) and judgment is His. Why are you known as Abu Al-Hakam?" He said: "If my people differ concerning something, they come to me, and I pass judgment among them, and both sides accept it." He said: "How good this is. Do you have any children?" He said: "I have Shuraih, and 'Abdullah, and Muslim." He said: "Who is the eldest of them?" He said: "Shuraih." He said: "Then you are Abu Shuraih," and he supplicated for him and his son.

"Allah protected me with something that I heard from the Messenger of Allah [SAW]. When Chosroes died, he said: 'Whom have they appointed as his successor?' They said: 'His daughter.' He said: 'No people will ever prosper who entrust their leadership to a woman.'"

He was riding behind the Messenger of Allah [SAW] on the morning of the Day of Sacrifice, when a woman from Khath'am came to him and said: "O Messenger of Allah, the command of Allah, the Mighty and Sublime, to His slaves to perform Hajj has come while my father is an old man and cannot ride unless he is tied crossways on a mount; can I perform Hajj on his behalf?" He said: "Yes, perform Hajj on his behalf, for if he owed a debt you would pay it off for him."

"A woman from Khath'am asked the Messenger of Allah [SAW] a question when Al-Fadl was riding behind the Messenger of Allah [SAW]. She said: 'O Messenger of Allah, the command of Allah, the Mighty and Sublime, to His slaves to perform Hajj has come while my father is an old man, he cannot sit upright in the saddle. Will it suffice if I perform Hajj on his behalf?' He said: 'Yes.'"

"Al-Fadl bin 'Abbas was riding behind the Messenger of Allah [SAW] when a woman from Khath'am came to ask him a question. Al-Fadl started looking at her, and she at him, and the Messenger of Allah [SAW] turned the face of Al-Fadl the other way. She said: 'O Messenger of Allah, the command of Allah, the Mighty and Sublime, to His slaves to perform Hajj has come while my father is an old man, and he cannot sit firmly in the saddle; can I perform Hajj on his behalf?' He said: 'Yes.' That was during the Farewell Pilgrimage."

A woman from Khath'am said: "O Messenger of Allah, the command of Allah, the Mighty and Sublime, to His slaves to perform Hajj has come while my father is an old man, and he cannot sit upright in the saddle. Will it discharge his duty if I perform Hajj on his behalf?" The Messenger of Allah [SAW] said to her: "Yes." Al-Fadl starting turning toward her, for she was a beautiful woman, and the Messenger of Allah [SAW] turned Al-Fadl's face to the other side.

A man asked the Messenger of Allah [SAW]: "The (command to perform) Hajj has come while my father is an old man and cannot sit firmly in the saddle, and if I tie him, I fear that he may die. Can I perform Hajj on his behalf?" He said: "Do you think that if he owed a debt you would pay it off for him?" He said: "Yes." He said: "Then perform Hajj on behalf of your father."

He was riding behind the Messenger of Allah [SAW], when a man came and said: "O Messenger of Allah, my mother is an old woman; if I put her on a mount she cannot sit firmly, and if I tie her, I fear that I may kill her." He said: "Do you think that if your mother owed a debt you would pay it off for her?" He said: "Yes." He said: "Then perform Hajj on behalf of your mother."

"A man came to the Prophet [SAW] and said: 'O Prophet of Allah, my father is an old man and cannot perform Hajj. If I put him on a mount he cannot sit firm. Can I perform Hajj on his behalf?' He said: 'Perform Hajj on behalf of your father.'"

A man came to the Prophet [SAW] and said: "My father is an old man, can I perform Hajj on his behalf?" He said: "Yes. Don't you think that if he owed a debt and you paid it off, that would suffice him?"

"The people asked 'Abdullah too many questions one day, and 'Abdullah said: 'There was a time when we did not pass so many judgments, but now that time is over. Now Allah, the Mighty and Sublime, has decreed that we reach a time when, as you see, (we are asked to pass many judgments). Whoever among you is asked to pass a judgment after this day, let him pass judgment according to what is in the Book of Allah. If he is faced with a matter that is not mentioned in the Book of Allah, let him pass judgment according to the way His Prophet [SAW] passed judgment. If he is faced with a matter that is not mentioned in the Book of Allah and concerning which His Prophet did not pass judgment, then let him pass judgment according to the way the righteous passed judgment. If he is faced with a matter that is not mentioned in the Book of Allah, and concerning which His Prophet and the righteous did not pass judgment, then let him strive to work it out, and let him not say 'I am afraid, I am afraid.' For that which is lawful is clear and that which is unlawful is clear, and between them are matters which are not as clear. Leave that which makes you doubt for that which does not make you doubt.'"

"There was a time when we did not pass so many judgments, but now that time is over. Now Allah, the Mighty and Sublime, has decreed that we reach a time when, as you see, (we are asked to pass many judgments). Whoever among you is asked to pass a judgment after this day, let him pass judgment according to what is in the Book of Allah. If he is faced with a matter that is not mentioned in the Book of Allah, let him pass judgment according to the way His Prophet [SAW] passed judgment. If he is faced with a matter that is not mentioned in the Book of Allah, and concerning which His Prophet did not pass judgment, then let him pass judgment according to the way the righteous passed judgment. And let him not say 'I am afraid, I am afraid.' For that which is lawful is clear and that which is unlawful is clear, and between them are matters which are not as clear. Leave that which makes you doubt for that which does not make you doubt."

He wrote to 'Umar, to ask him (a question), and 'Umar wrote back to him telling him: "Judge according to what is in the Book of Allah. If it is not (mentioned) in the Book of Allah, then (judge) according to the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah [SAW]. If it is not (mentioned) in the Book of Allah or the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah [SAW], then pass judgment according to the way the righteous passed judgment. If it is not (mentioned) in the Book of Allah, or the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah [SAW], and the righteous did not pass judgment concerning it, then if you wish, go ahead (and try to work it out by yourself) or if you wish, leave it. And I think that leaving it is better for you. And peace be upon you."

"There were kings after 'Isa bin Mariam who altered the Tawrah and the Injil, but there were among them believers who read the Tawrah. It was said to their kings: 'We have never heard of any slander worse than that of those (believers) who slander us and recite: "And whosoever does not judge by what Allah has revealed, such are the disbelievers." In these Verses, they are criticizing us for our deeds when they recite them.' So he called them together and gave them the choice between being put to death, or giving up reading the Tawrah and Injil, except for what had been altered. They said: 'Why do you want us to change? Leave us alone.' Some of them said: 'Build us a tower and let us go up there, and give us something to lift up our food and drink so we do not have to mix with you.' Others said: 'Let us go and wander throughout the land, and we will drink as the wild animals drink, and if you capture us in your land, you may kill us.' Others said: 'Build houses for us in the wilderness, and we will dig wells and grow vegetables, and we will not mix with you or pass by you, for there is no one of the tribes among whom we do not have close relatives.' So they did that, and Allah revealed the words: 'But the monasticism which they invented for themselves, We did not prescribe for them, but (they sought it) only to please Allah therewith, but that they did not observe it with the right observance.' Then others said: 'We will worship as so-and-so worshipped, and we will wander as so-and-so wandered, and we will adopt houses (in the wilderness) as so-and-so did.' But they were still following their Shirk with no knowledge of the faith of those whom they claimed to be following. When Allah sent the Prophet [SAW], and they were only a few of them left, a man came down from his cell, and a wanderer came from his travels, and a monk came from his monastery, and they believed in him. And Allah said: 'O you who believe! Fear Allah, and believe in His Messenger (Muhammad), He will give you a double portion of His mercy - meaning, two rewards, because of their having believed in 'Isa and in the Tawrah and Injil, and for having believing in Muhammad [SAW]; and He will give you a light by which you shall walk (straight), - meaning, the Qur'an, and their following the Prophet [SAW]; and He said: 'So that the people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians) may know that they have no power whatsoever over the Grace of Allah.'"

The Messenger of Allah [SAW] said: "You refer your disputes to me, but I am only human, and some of you may be more eloquent in arguing their case than others. If I pass judgment in favor of one of you, against his brother's rights, let him not take it, for it is a piece of fire that I am giving him."

The Messenger of Allah [SAW] said: "There were two woman who had two children, and the wolf came and took away the son of one of them. She said to her companion: 'It took away your son.' The other one said: 'No, it took away your son.' They referred the matter to Dawud, peace be upon him, for judgment (about the remaining child) and he ruled in favor of the older one. Then they went out to Sulaiman bin Dawud and told him (about that). He said: 'Give me a knife and I will cut him in half (to be shared) between you.' The younger one said: 'Do not do that, may Allah have mercy on you; he is her son.' So he ruled that (the child) belonged to the younger woman." Abu Hurairah said: "By Allah! I never heard 'Sikkin' used until that day. We would only say: 'Mudyah.'"

The Messenger of Allah [SAW] said: "Two women went out with two children of theirs, and the wolf attacked one of them and took her child. The next day they referred their dispute over the remaining child to Dawud, peace be upon him, and he ruled that (the child) belonged to the older woman. Then they passed by Sulaiman and he said: 'What is your story?' So they told him. He said: 'Bring me a knife and I will cut him in half (to be shared) between you.' The younger one said: 'Will you cut him in half?' He said: 'Yes.' She said: 'Do not do that; I will give my share of him to her.' He said: 'He is your child' and he ruled that he belonged to her."

The Prophet [SAW] said: "Two women went out with their two children, and the wolf took one of the children from them. They referred their dispute to Prophet Dawud, peace be upon him, and he ruled that (the remaining child) belonged to the older woman. Then they passed by Sulaiman, peace be upon him, and he said: 'How did he judge between you?' She said: 'He ruled that (the child) belongs to the older woman.' Sulaiman said: 'Cut him in half, and give half to one and half to the other.' The older woman said: 'Yes, cut him in half.' The younger woman said: 'Do not cut him, he is her child.' So he ruled that the child belonged to the woman who refused to let him be cut."

"The Prophet [SAW] sent Khalid bin Al-Walid to Banu Jadhimah. He called them to Islam, but they could not say Aslamna (we submitted, i.e., became Muslim) so they started to say Saba'na (we changed our religion). Khalid started killing and taking prisoners, and he gave a prisoner to each man. The next day Khalid bin Al-Walid issued orders that each man among us kill his prisoner." Ibn 'Umar said: "I said: 'By Allah, I will not kill my prisoner, and no one (among my companions) will kill his prisoner.' We came to the Prophet [SAW], and he was told of what Khalid had done. The Prophet [SAW] said: 'I disavow what Khalid has done,' twice."

"My father wrote to 'Ubaidullah bin Abi Bakrah - who was the judge of Sijistan - saying: 'Do not pass judgment between two people when you are angry, for I heard the Messenger of Allah [SAW] say: No one should pass judgment between two people when he is angry.'"

He disputed with a man among Ansar who had been present at Badr with the Messenger of Allah [SAW], concerning a stream in Al-Harrah from which they both used to water their date palm trees. The Ansari said: "Let the water flow." But he (Az-Zubair) refused. The Messenger of Allah [SAW] said: "Irrigate (your land), O Zubair! Then let the water flow to your neighbor." The Ansari became angry and said, "O Messenger of Allah, is it because he is your cousin?" The face of the Messenger of Allah [SAW] changed color (because of anger) and he said: "O Zubair! Irrigate (your land) then block the water, until it flows back to the walls." So the Messenger of Allah [SAW] allowed Az-Zubair to take his rights in full, although before that he had suggested to Az-Zubair a middle way that benefited both him and the Ansari. But when the Ansari made the Messenger of Allah [SAW] angry, he gave Az-Zubair his rights in full, as stated clearly in his ruling. Az-Zubair said: "I think that this Verse was revealed concerning this matter: 'But no, by your Lord, they can have no faith, until they make you (O Muhammad) judge in all disputes between them.'"

He asked Ibn Abi Hadrad to pay off a debt that he owed him. Their voices grew so loud that the Messenger of Allah [SAW] heard them when he was inside his house. He came out to them, drew back the curtain of his room and called out: "O Ka'b!" He said: "Here I am, O Messenger of Allah." He said: "Drop his debt to half." He said: "I will do that." He said (to the debtor): "Go and pay it off."

"I came to Al-Madinah with my paternal uncles and entered one of its gardens, where I rubbed an ear of grain (to take some grains). The owner of the garden came, took my cloak and hit me. I came to the Messenger of Allah [SAW] and sought his help against him. He sent for the man and they brought him. He said: 'What made you do that?' He said: 'O Messenger of Allah, he entered my garden and took one of the ears of grain and rubbed it.' The Messenger of Allah [SAW] said: 'You did not teach him if he was ignorant, nor feed him if he was hungry. Give him back his cloak.' And the Messenger of Allah [SAW] ordered me with a Wasq or half a Wasq."

Two men referred a dispute to the Messenger of Allah [SAW]. One of them said: "O Messenger of Allah, pass judgment between us according to the Book of Allah." The other, who was wiser, said: "Yes, O Messenger of Allah, and allow me to speak." He said: "My son was a laborer serving this man, and he committed Zina with his wife. They told me that my son was to be stoned to death, but I ransomed him with one hundred sheep and a slave girl of mine. Then I asked the people of knowledge, who told me that my son was to be given one hundred lashes and exiled for a year, and that his (the man's) wife was to be stoned to death." The Messenger of Allah [SAW] said: "By the One in Whose hand is my soul, I will pass judgment between you according to the Book of Allah. As for your sheep and your slave girl, take them back." Then he gave his son one hundred lashes, and exiled him for one year, and he ordered Unais to go to the wife of the other man and if she confessed, to stone her to death. She did confess, so he stoned her to death.

"We were with the Prophet [SAW] when a man stood up and said: 'I adjure you, by Allah, pass judgment between us according to the Book of Allah.' His opponent, who was wiser than him, stood up and said: 'He is right, pass judgment between us according to the Book of Allah.' He said: 'Speak.' He said: 'My son was a laborer serving this man, and he committed Zina with his wife. I ransomed him with one hundred sheep and a servant.' It is as if he was told that his son was to be stoned to death but he ransomed him from that. 'Then I asked some knowledgeable men and they told me that my son was to be given one hundred lashes and exiled for a year.' The Messenger of Allah [SAW] said to him: 'By the One in Whose hand is my soul, I will pass judgment between you according to the Book of Allah, the Mighty and Sublime. As for the one hundred sheep and the servant, take them back, and your son is to be given one hundred lashes and exiled for a year. O Unais, go tomorrow to the wife of this man and if she confesses, then stone her to death.' She did confess, so he stoned her to death."

A woman who had committed Zina was brought to the Prophet [SAW]. He said: "With whom?" She said: "With the paralyzed man who lives in the garden of Sa'd." He was brought and placed before (the Prophet [SAW]) and he confessed. The Messenger of Allah [SAW] called for a bunch of palm leaves and hit him. He took pity on him because of his disability and was lenient with him.

"Words were exchanged between two clans of the Ansar, to the point that they began to throw rocks at one another. The Prophet [SAW] went to reconcile between them. The time for prayer came, so Bilal called Adhan and waited for the Messenger of Allah [SAW], but he was delayed. He said the Iqamah and Abu Bakr, may Allah be pleased with him, went forward (to lead the prayer). Then the Prophet [SAW] came while Abu Bakr was leading the people in prayer, and when the people saw him they clapped. Abu Bakr would not turn around when he was praying, but when he heard them clapping, he turned around and saw the Messenger of Allah [SAW]. He wanted to step back but (the Prophet [SAW]) gestured to him to stay where he was. Abu Bakr, may Allah be pleased with him, raised his hands, then he moved backward and the Messenger of Allah [SAW] came forward and led (the rest of) the prayer. When the Messenger of Allah [SAW] finished praying, he said: 'What prevented you from staying where you were?' He said: 'I would not like Allah to see the son of Abu Quhafah standing in front of His Prophet.' Then he (the Prophet [SAW]) turned to the people and said: 'If you noticed something while you were praying, why did you clap? That is for women. Whoever notices something while he is praying, let him say: "Subhan Allah."

He owed a debt by 'Abdullah bin Abi Hadrad Al-Aslami. He met him, and asked him to pay it off. They exchanged words until their voices became loud. The Messenger of Allah [SAW] passed by them and said: "O Ka'b!" and he gestured with his hand to say half. So he took half of what was owed and let him off the other half.

"I saw the Messenger of Allah [SAW] when a killer was brought by the heir of the victim by a string. The Messenger of Allah [SAW] said to the heir of the victim: 'Will you forgive him?' He said: 'No.' He said: 'Will you accept the Diyah?' He said: 'No.' He said: 'Will you kill him?' He said: 'Yes.' He said: 'Take him away.' When he went and turned away from him, he called him back and said: 'Will you forgive him?' He said: 'No.' He said: 'Will you accept the Diyah?' He said: 'No.' He said: 'Will you kill him?' He said: 'Yes.' He said: 'Take him away.' When he went and turned away from him, he called him back and said: 'Will you forgive him?' He said: 'No.' He said: 'Will you accept the Diyah?' He said: 'No.' He said: 'Will you kill him?' He said: 'Yes.' He said: 'Take him away.' At that point the Messenger of Allah [SAW] said: 'But if you forgive him, he will carry his own sin and the sin of your companion.' So he forgave him, and I saw him dragging his string."

A man among the Ansar disputed with Az-Zubair concerning a stream in Al-Harrah from which they both used to water their date palm trees. The Ansari said: "Let the water flow," but he (Az-Zubair) refused. They brought their dispute to the Messenger of Allah [SAW]. The Messenger of Allah [SAW] said: "Irrigate (your land), O Zubair, then let the water flow to your neighbor." The Ansari became angry and said: "O Messenger of Allah, is it because he is your cousin?" The face of the Messenger of Allah [SAW] changed color (because of anger) and he said: "O Zubair, irrigate (your land) then block the water until it flows back to the walls." Az-Zubair said: "I think that this Verse was revealed concerning this matter: 'But no, by your Lord, they can have no faith.'"

The husband of Barirah was a slave called Mughith. It is as if I can see him walking behind her weeping, with the tears running down onto his beard. The Prophet [SAW] said to Al-'Abbas: "O 'Abbas, are you not amazed by the love of Mughith for Barirah and the hatred of Barirah for Mughith?" The Messenger of Allah [SAW] said to her: "Why don't you take him back, for he is the father of your child?" She said: "O Messenger of Allah, are you commanding me (to do so)?" He said: "I am just interceding." She said: "I have no need of him."

"A man among the Ansar stated that his salve was to be set free after he died; he was in need, and he owed a debt. The Messenger of Allah [SAW] sold him (the slave) for eight hundred Dirhams, and he gave (the money) to him and said: 'Pay off your debt and spend on your dependents.'"

The Messenger of Allah [SAW] said: "Whoever seizes the wealth of a Muslim unlawfully by means of his (false) oath, Allah makes the Fire required for him, Paradise unlawful for him." A man said to him: "O Messenger of Allah, even if it is something small?" He said: "Even if it is a twig of an Arak tree."

"Hind came to the Messenger of Allah [SAW] and said : 'O Messenger of Allah, Abu Sufyan is a stingy man who does not spend enough on my child and I. Can I take from his wealth without him realizing?' He said: 'Take what is sufficient for you and your child on a reasonable basis.'"

"Abu Bakrah wrote to me, saying: 'I heard the Messenger of Allah [SAW] say: No one should pass two judgments on one issue, and no one should pass judgment between two disputing parties while he is angry.'"

"The Messenger of Allah [SAW] said: 'You refer your disputes to me, but I am only human. And some of you may be more eloquent in arguing their case than others, and I may pass judgment on the basis of what I hear. If I pass judgment in favor of one of you against his brother's rights, then it is a piece of the fire that I am giving him.'"

"The Messenger of Allah [SAW] said: 'The most hated of men to Allah is the most quarrelsome of opponents.'"

That two men referred a dispute to the Prophet [SAW] concerning an animal, and neither of them had any evidence, so he ruled that it be shared equally between them.

"There were two female neighbors who used to do leatherwork (with an awl) in At-Ta'if. One of them came out with her hand bleeding and claimed that her companion had injured her, but the other one denied it. I wrote to Ibn 'Abbas concerning that. He wrote, (saying) that the Messenger of Allah [SAW] ruled that the person against whom the claim was made should swear an oath. For if people were to be given what they claimed was theirs, then people would make claims against the wealth and blood of others." So he called her and recited this Verse to her: "Verily, those who purchase a small gain at the cost of Allah's Covenant and their oaths, they shall have no portion in the Hereafter..." until the end of the Verse. He called her and recited that to her, and she confessed to that. News of that reached him and he was happy.

"Mu'awiyah, (may Allah be pleased with him,) said: 'The Messenger of Allah [SAW] went out to a circle - meaning, of his Companions - and said: 'What are you doing?' They said: 'We have come together to pray to Allah and praise Him for guiding us to His religion, and blessing us with you.' He said: 'I ask you, by Allah, is that the only reason?' They said: 'By Allah, we have not come together for any other reason.' He said: 'I am not asking you to swear to an oath because of any suspicion; rather Jibril came to me and told me that Allah, the Mighty and Sublime, is boasting of you to the angels.'"

"The Messenger of Allah [SAW] said: 'Isa bin Mariam, peace be upon him, saw a man stealing, and said to him: Are you stealing? He said: No, by Allah besides Whom there is no other God! 'Isa, peace be upon him, said: I believe in Allah and I disbelieve my eyes.'"