9th Hadith - Avoid Forbidden Things (Bukhari: 7288)
الحديث التاسع
[رواه البخاري ومسلم]
9th Hadith Translation
On the authority of Abu-Hurairah (R.A.): I
heard the Messenger of Allah (S.A.W.) say,
“What I have forbidden for you, avoid. What I have ordered you [to do], do as much of it as you can. For verily, it was only the excessive questioning and their disagreeing with their Prophets that destroyed [the nations] who were before you.” (Bukhari: 7288)
The Hadith is self-explanatory. In the Hadith, our Prophet (S.A.W.) has
told that all the forbidden things/acts must be totally avoided by a Muslim. By
refraining from acts that lead to a prohibited act, we are actually
safeguarding ourselves from falling into the forbidden.
Reasons and background of a hadith is very important for us understand
its meaning. It was related during an incident where the Prophet (S.A.W.) said:
"Allah has commanded you to perform Hajj. So perform Hajj, O servants of
Allah." Then a man stood up and said: "O Prophet of Allah, do we have
to do it every year?" Then the Prophet S.A.W.) said: "That whatever I
forbid you to do, avoid it and whatever I command you to do, do it as much as
you can." The incident above was at the time of revelation. Asking too
many questions about an obligation may lead to complications and confusions.
The Prophet (S.A.W.) was not happy with the question raised by the man for it
could have caused the Hajj to be performed every year by each Muslim if the
answer was yes to that question.
Understanding and practicing Hadits may lead us to live a better and
practical life, and help us fulfill our obligations in the right way. Applying
them will lead us to love, appreciate and continuously practice “Ibadah” (worshiping Allah and performing good deeds).
(Reference: Commentary of Forty Hadiths of An-Nawawi by Dr. Jamal Ahmed Badi)
Contact Us
