Mishkat al-Masabih

Muhammad b. ‘Amr, on the authority of Abu Salama, said Abu Huraira told that God’s Messenger gave judgment that a male or female slave of the best quality, or a horse, or a mule should be paid for a miscarriage. Abu Dawud transmitted it, saying this tradition is transmitted by Hammad b. Salama and Khalid al-Wasiti on the authority of Muhammad b. ‘Amr, but he did not mention “or a horse or a mule.”

‘Amr b. Shu'aib, on his father’s authority, said his grandfather reported God’s Messenger as saying, “Anyone who practices medicine when he is not known as a practitioner will be held responsible.”* Abu Dawud and Nasa’i transmitted it. *He will have to pay blood wit if the patient dies.

‘Imran b. Husain told that when the slave of some poor people cut off the ear of a slave of some rich people, and his people came to the Prophet telling him that they were poor, he imposed no compensation on them. Abu Dawud and Nasa’i transmitted it.

thirty-three she-camels in their fourth year, thirty- three she-camels in their fifth year, and thirty-four she-camels in the sixth year up to the ninth, all pregnant. In a version he said that the blood wit for unintentional murder was in four parts: twenty-five she-camels in their fourth year, twenty-five she-camels in their fifth year, twenty-five she-camels in their third year, and twenty-five she-camels in their second year. Abu Dawud transmitted it.

Mujahid said ‘Umar gave judgment that the blood wit for what resembled intentional murder should be thirty she-camels in their fourth year, thirty she-camels in their fifth year, and forty pregnant she-camels in their sixth year up to the ninth. Abu Dawud transmitted it.

Sa'id b. al-Musayyib said God’s Messenger gave judgment that a male or girl slave of the best quality should be paid for a child which is killed in its mother’s womb. When the one against whom this judgment was given asked, “How should I be fined for one who has not eaten or drunk, or spoken, or raised his voice?” adding that compensation is not to be paid for such, God’s Messenger said, “This man simply belongs to the kahins.”* Malik and Nasa’i transmitted it in mursal form, but Abu Dawud transmitted it on his authority (i.e. Sa'id’s) on the authority of Abu Huraira with a fully connected isnad. * There is a suggestion of rhyme in the Arabic used by the man who asked the question, so he is compared to the kahins who made their utterances in this form.

Abu Huraira reported God’s Messenger as saying, “No retaliation is payable for a wound caused by a dumb animal, for a mine, or for a well.”* (Bukhari and Muslim.) * A longer form is given on p. 380. The reference is said to be an animal which is not at the time under anyone's charge. No responsibility attaches to anyone who has dug a mine or a well in a place where he is entitled to do so if someone falls in.

I went with God’s Messenger on the expedition of the army of distress,* and I had a hired servant who fought with a man, one of whom bit the other’s hand. The one who was bitten drew away his hand from the mouth of the one who bit him, dislodging his front tooth which fell out. He went to the Prophet, but he imposed no retaliation for his front tooth, saying, ‘Could he be expected to leave his hand in your mouth when you were crunching it like a male camel?” (Bukhari and Muslim.) * This refers to the expedition to Tabuk in 9 A H. Cf. Al-Qur'an, 9:117.

‘Abdallah b. 'Amr told of hearing God’s Messenger say, “He who is killed protecting his property is a martyr.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

Abu Huraira told that a man came and asked God’s Messenger to tell him what he should do if a man came wanting to take his property. He replied, “Do not give him your property.” He asked him to tell him what to do if the man fought with him, and he replied, “Fight with him.” He asked him to tell him what would happen if the man killed him, and he replied, “You will be a martyr.” He asked him to tell him what would happen if he killed the man, and he replied, “He will go to hell.” Muslim transmitted it.

He told that he heard God’s Messenger say, “If anyone were to look into your house without receiving your permission and you were to throw a pebble at him and put out his eye, you would be guilty of no offence.” (Bukhari and Muslim)

Sahl b. Sa'd said that a man looked through a hole in God’s Messenger’s door when God’s Messenger had a spike with which he was scratching his head, so he said, “If I knew that you were seeing me I would poke it in your eyes, for asking permission has been appointed only on account of what people may see.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

'Abdallah b. Mughaffal told that he saw a man throwing pebbles and told him not to do so, for God’s Messenger had forbidden it, saying, “Game is not caught by such means, neither is an enemy injured, but you may sometimes break a tooth or put out an eye.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

Abu Musa reported God’s Messenger as saying, “When one of you passes along in our mosque or in our market having arrows with him he should grasp their points lest he cause any injury by them to a Muslim.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

Abu Huraira reported God’s Messenger as saying, “None of you must point a weapon at his brother, for he does not know whether perhaps the devil may draw it out while it is in his hand as a result of which he will fall into a pit in hell.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

He reported God’s Messenger as saying, “If anyone points a piece of iron at his brother the angels will curse him till he puts it down, even if he is his brother who has the same father and mother.” Bukhari transmitted it.

Ibn ‘Umar and Abu Huraira reported the Prophet as saying, “He who points a weapon at us does not belong to us.” Bukhari transmitted it, and Muslim added, “And he who treats us dishonestly does not belong to us.”

Salama b. al-Akwa' reported God’s Messenger as saying, “He who draws a sword against us does not belong to us.” Muslim transmitted it.

Hisham b. ‘Urwa, on his father’s authority, told that Hisham b. Hakim came upon some Nabataeans in Syria who had been made to stand in the sun with olive-oil poured over their heads. On his asking what the meaning of that was and being told that they were suffering punishment concerning the land-tax, Hisham said he could testify to having heard God’s Messenger say, “God will punish those who punish people in this world.” Muslim transmitted it.

Abu Huraira reported God’s Messenger as saying, “If you live long you will soon see people with things like ox-tails in their hands going out in the morning subject to God’s anger and coming back in the evening subject to God’s displeasure.” A version has, “coming back in the evening subject to God’s curse.” Muslim transmitted it.

people with whips like ox-tails with which they strike people; and women with such clothing as to be virtually naked, who incite men and are inclined towards men, whose heads are like the swaying humps of Bactrian camels. Such women will not enter paradise or experience its fragrance, though its fragrance can be experienced at such and such a distance.” Muslim transmitted it.

He reported God’s Messenger as saying, “When any of you fights he must avoid the face, for God created Adam in His own image.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

Abu Dharr reported God’s Messenger as saying, “If anyone removes a curtain and looks into a house before receiving permission and sees anything in those within which should not be seen, he has committed an offence which it is not lawful for him to commit. If a man confronted him when he looked in and put out his eye, I would not blame him; but if a man passes a door which has no curtain and is not shut and looks in, he has committed no sin, for the sin pertains only to the people inside.” Tirmidhi transmitted it, saying this is a gharib tradition.

Jabir said God’s Messenger forbade that a sword which has been drawn should be handed to anyone. Tirmidhi and Abu Dawud transmitted it.

Al-Hasan said on Samura’s authority that God’s Messenger forbade that a thong of a sandal should be cut off between two toes. Abu Dawud transmitted it.

Sa'id b. Zaid reported God’s Messenger as saying, “He who is killed in defence of his religion is a martyr, he who is killed in self-defence is a martyr, he who is killed in defence of his property is a martyr, and he who is killed in defence of his family is a martyr.” Tirmidhi, Abu Dawud and Nasa’i transmitted it.

Ibn ‘Umar reported the Prophet as saying, ‘‘Jahannam has seven gates, one of which is for those who draw a sword against my people,” or he said, "against Muhammad’s people.” Tirmidhi transmitted it, saying this is a gharib tradition.

Rafi' b. Khadij and Sahl b. Abu Hathma told that ‘Abdallah b. Sahl and Muhayyisa b. Mas'ud came to Khaibar and when they had separated among the palm-trees ‘Abdallah b. Sahl was killed. ‘Abd ar-Rah¬man b. Sahl and Huwayyisa, and Muhayyisa, the sons of Mas'ud, came to the Prophet and spoke about what had happened to their friend. ‘Abd ar-Rahman who was the youngest spoke first, but the Prophet said to him kabbir al-kubr, which was said by Yahya b. Sa'id to mean “Let the oldest take charge of speaking." They then spoke and the Prophet said, “Make your demand regarding your dead man (or he said, your friend) by the oaths of fifty of you." They replied, “Messenger of God, it is a matter which we did not see." He said, “The Jews will exonerate themselves by the oaths of fifty of them," but they replied, “Messenger of God, they are a people who are infidels." So God’s Messenger paid them the blood wit himself. A version has, “You must swear fifty oaths and make your claim regarding your slain man (or, your friend)." Then God’s Messenger himself paid his blood wit consisting of a hundred she- camels. (Bukhari and Muslim.)

Rafi‘ b. Khadij said that one of the Ansar was killed at Khaibar and his relatives went to the Prophet and mentioned that to him. He asked, “Have you two witnesses who can testify to the murderer of your friend?" They replied, “Messenger of God, there was not a single Muslim present, but only Jews who sometimes have the audacity to do even greater crimes than this “He said, “Then choose fifty of them and demand that they take an oath;" but they refused and God’s Messenger paid his blood wit himself. Abu Dawud transmitted it.

‘Ikrima told that when some heretics were brought to ‘Ali he had them burned, and that when Ibn ‘Abbas heard of it he said that if it had been he, he would not have had them burned because of God’s Messenger's prohibition, “Do not inflict God’s punishment on anyone”, but would have had them killed on account of the statement made by God’s Messenger, “Kill those who change their religion.” Bukhari transmitted it.

‘Abdallah b. ‘Abbas reported God’s Messenger as saying, “Only God punishes with fire.” Bukhari transmitted it.

‘Ali told that he heard God’s Messenger say, “In the last time people will come forth, young and foolish, speaking the finest words men speak, but their faith will not pass their throats. They will come out from the religion as an arrow does from the animal it is aimed at. Wherever you meet them kill them, for a reward for killing them will be given on the day of resurrection to those who kill them.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

Abu Sa'id al-Khudri reported God’s Messenger as saying, “My people will be in two sections from among whom a seceding party will go out, and those who are nearest to the truth will undertake the killing of them.” Muslim transmitted it.

Jarir reported God’s Messenger as saying at the Farewell Pilgrimage, “You must never revert to infidelity after my death and cut off one another’s heads.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

Abu Bakra reported the Prophet as saying, “When two Muslims meet and one of them bears arms against his brother, they are both on the brink of hell, and if one of them kills the other they will both enter it.” In a version on Abu Bakra's authority he said, “When two Muslims meet with their swords, the one who kills and the one who is killed will go to hell." When he (i.e. Abu Bakr) remarked that one was the killer and asked what was wrong with the one who was killed, he replied, “He was eager to kill his companion." (Bukhari and Muslim.)

Anas told that some people of ‘Ukl who had come to the Prophet and accepted Islam found Medina unhealthy, so he ordered them to go to the camels of the sadaqa and drink some of their urine and their milk. They did so and became well, after which they apostatised, killed the herdsmen and drove off the camels. So he sent people in pursuit of them, and when they were brought he had their hands and feet cut off and their eyes put out and left them to die without cauterising them to stop the flow of blood. A version says nails were driven into their eyes. Another says he ordered nails to be heated and after having them blinded with them he had them thrown out on the harra, and although they begged for water they were left to die without being given any. (Bukhari and Muslim.)

‘Imran b. Husain said God's Messenger used to urge them to give sadaqa and forbid them to mutilate anyone. Aba Dawud transmitted it and Nasa’i transmitted it on the authority of Anas.

When I we were on a journey with God’s Messenger and he had gone to relieve himself we saw a hummara* with two young ones and took the young ones, whereupon the hummara came and began to spread out its wings. Then when the Prophet came he said, “Who has pained this one by the loss of her young? Give her young ones back to her." He also saw an anthill which we had burned, and when he asked who had burned it and we replied that we had, he said, “It is not fitting that anyone but the Lord of the fire should punish with fire” Abu Dawud transmitted it. * A small bird like a sparrow, or a lark.

Abu Sa'id al-Khudri and Anas b Malik reported God’s Messenger as saying, “Disagreement and division will arise among my people. Some will speak well but do evil; they will recite the Qur’an but it will go no farther than their throats; they will swerve from the religion as an arrow goes through the animal shot at and will not return till an arrow comes back to the place where it was strung. They are the worst of men and animals. Blessed are they who kill them and are killed by them! They summon people to God’s Book, but they have no part with us. He who fights with them is nearer to God than they.” God’s Messenger was asked what mark they had, and said it was shaving.* Abu Dawud transmitted it. * Tahliq is here explained as going to extremes in shaving the head and taking the hair out by the roots.

fornication after marriage, in which case he should be stoned; one who goes forth to fight with God and His Messenger,* in which case he should be killed, or crucified, or made a fugitive; or one which commits murder for which he is killed.” Abu Dawud transmitted it. * Mirqat iv. 53 refers this to such things as highway robbery.

Ibn Abu Laila said he was told by Muhammad’s companions that during a journey with God’s Messenger while one of them was asleep another went to a rope he had with him and seized him,* with the result that he was startled. God’s Messenger then said, “It is not lawful for a Muslim to frighten another.” Abu Dawud transmitted it. * The meaning is that he tied the rope round him while he was asleep, presumably as a joke.

Abud Darda’ reported God’s Messenger as saying, “He who gets land on which tax is due 1 has sought to rescind his emigration,2 and he who takes an infidel’s lowliness from his neck and puts it on his own 3 has turned his back on Islam.” Abu Dawud transmitted it. 1. The word for "tax" here is jizya. Eventually a distinction was made between jizya and kharaj, the former being used for poll-tax and the latter for land-tax. 2. i.e. to make himself like a dhimmi. 3. i.e. undertakes the responsibility of paying his tax for him.

Jarir b. ‘Abdillah told that when God’s Messenger sent an expedition to Khath'am some of them sought God’s protection by having recourse to prostration* and were quickly killed. When the Prophet heard that, he ordered half the blood wit to be paid for them, saying, “I am not responsible for any Muslim who stays among polytheists.” On being asked why that was, he replied, “Their fires should not be visible to one another.” Abu Dawud transmitted it. * Some members of Khath'am who were Muslims prostrated themselves in prayer to God thinking that this would make it clear to the attackers that they were Muslims.

Abu Huraira reported the Prophet as saying, “Faith is an assurance of safety from being killed unawares. A believer does not kill another unawares.” Abu Dawud transmitted it.

Jarir reported the Prophet as saying, “When a slave runs away and reverts to polytheism he may lawfully be killed.” Abu Dawud transmitted it.

‘Ali told that a Jewess who was reviling the Prophet and speaking evil of him was strangled to death by a man and the Prophet allowed no payment to be made for her death. Abu Dawud transmitted it.

Jundub reported God’s Messenger as saying, “The punishment given to a magician is a stroke with the sword.” Tirmidhi transmitted it.

Usama b. Sharik reported God’s Messenger as saying, “Cut off the head of any man who goes out and causes division among my people.” Nasa’i transmitted it.

I wanted to meet one of the Prophet’s companions to ask him about the Kharijites. Meeting Abu Barza al-Aslami along with some of his companions on a festival day, I asked him whether he had heard God’s Messenger mentioning the Kharijites, and he replied that he had both heard him with his ears and seen him with his eyes. He told that God’s Messenger was brought some property and divided it, giving something to those on his right and those on his left, but giving nothing to those who were behind him. One of those behind him, a black man whose hair was completely cut off and who was wearing two white garments, then said, "You have not divided justly, Muhammad.” God's Messenger became very angry and said, “I swear by God that after my death you will not find a man more just than I am,” adding, “At the end of time people looking like this man will come forth, reciting the Qur'an, but it will not pass their throats. They will swerve from Islam as an arrow passes through the game at which is it shot, and their distinguishing mark will be shaving. They will continue to come forth till the last of them comes forth with the antichrist. When you meet them they will be the worst of men and beasts.” Nasa’i transmitted it.

Abu Ghalib told that when Abu Umama saw some heads set up on the road to Damascus he said, “The dogs of hell, the worst people killed under the sky. The best who have been killed are those killed by them.” He then recited, “On the day when some faces will be white and some faces will be black (Al-Qur’an, 3:106). Abu Umama was asked whether he had heard it from God’s Messenger and replied, “If I had heard it only once, twice, or thrice (counting up to seven times) I would not have told you.” Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah transmitted it, Tirmidhi saying this is a hasan tradition.