Hadith+
    Beta 2
Help
 
X
GO
Browse All Books    Browse All Topics
LiteView
 
Quick Search 
Sunan Abi Dawud 4399 (Book 40, Hadith 49) #24690
Mercy for the Unaccountable

SUMMARY: A lunatic woman who had committed adultery was brought to Umar, but Ali ibn AbuTalib intervened and reminded Umar that the actions of a lunatic, sleeper and boy are not recorded.

Narrated Ali ibn AbuTalib: Ibn Abbas said: A lunatic woman who had committed adultery was brought to Umar. He consulted the people and ordered that she should be stoned. Ali ibn AbuTalib passed by and said: What is the matter with this (woman)? They said: This is a lunatic woman belonging to a certain family. She has committed adultery. Umar has given orders that she should be stoned. He said: Take her back. He then came to him and said: Commander of the Faithful, do you not know that there are three people whose actions are not recorded: a lunatic till he is restored to reason, a sleeper till he awakes, and a boy till he reaches puberty? He said: Yes. He then asked: Why is it that this woman is being stoned? He said: There is nothing. He then said: Let her go. He (Umar) let her go and began to utter: Allah is most great.
حَدَّثَنَا عُثْمَانُ بْنُ أَبِي شَيْبَةَ، حَدَّثَنَا جَرِيرٌ، عَنِ الأَعْمَشِ، عَنْ أَبِي ظَبْيَانَ، عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ، قَالَ أُتِيَ عُمَرُ بِمَجْنُونَةٍ قَدْ زَنَتْ فَاسْتَشَارَ فِيهَا أُنَاسًا فَأَمَرَ بِهَا عُمَرُ أَنْ تُرْجَمَ فَمُرَّ بِهَا عَلَى عَلِيِّ بْنِ أَبِي طَالِبٍ رِضْوَانُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ فَقَالَ مَا شَأْنُ هَذِهِ قَالُوا مَجْنُونَةُ بَنِي فُلاَنٍ زَنَتْ فَأَمَرَ بِهَا عُمَرُ أَنْ تُرْجَمَ ‏.‏ قَالَ فَقَالَ ارْجِعُوا بِهَا ثُمَّ أَتَاهُ فَقَالَ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ أَمَا عَلِمْتَ أَنَّ الْقَلَمَ قَدْ رُفِعَ عَنْ ثَلاَثَةٍ عَنِ الْمَجْنُونِ حَتَّى يَبْرَأَ وَعَنِ النَّائِمِ حَتَّى يَسْتَيْقِظَ وَعَنِ الصَّبِيِّ حَتَّى يَعْقِلَ قَالَ بَلَى ‏.‏ قَالَ فَمَا بَالُ هَذِهِ تُرْجَمُ قَالَ لاَ شَىْءَ ‏.‏ قَالَ فَأَرْسِلْهَا ‏.‏ قَالَ فَأَرْسَلَهَا ‏.‏ قَالَ فَجَعَلَ يُكَبِّرُ

TOPICS
lunacy  *  adultery  *  accountability

QUICK LESSONS:
Show mercy towards those who cannot be held accountable due to certain conditions or circumstances beyond their control such as insanity or sleepiness .

EXPLANATIONS:
This hadith is about mercy and accountability. It tells us that Allah is merciful even to those who have done wrong. The story begins with a lunatic woman who has committed adultery being brought to Umar for punishment. However, Ali ibn AbuTalib intervenes and reminds Umar that the actions of a lunatic, sleeper and boy are not recorded by Allah so they should not be punished for their wrongdoings. Umar then lets her go free without any punishment as he realizes his mistake in trying to punish her without understanding her condition or circumstances. This hadith teaches us that we should always show mercy towards those who cannot be held accountable for their actions due to certain conditions or circumstances beyond their control such as insanity or sleepiness. We should also remember that Allah is most merciful even when we make mistakes ourselves.

Please use the feedback below to report any discrepancies or concerns.

Feedback           Discuss      Disclaimer     

haluk
  
Prev    Next