"A man from Hadramawt and a man from Kindah came to the Prophet (ﷺ). The Hadrami said: 'O Messenger of Allah! This person took some land of mine.' The Kindi said:'It is my land, It is in my possession, and he has no right to it.' So the Prophet (ﷺ) said to the Hadrami:'Do you have proof?' He said: 'No.' He said: 'Then you will have the oath.' He said: 'O Messenger of Allah! This man is a liar, it makes not difference what he takes an oath for, he is not ashamed of doing anything!' He said: 'There is nothing you deserve from him except that.' He said: So the man was left to take an oath for it, and in the meantime, the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: 'If he takes an oath to wrongfully consume it, He will meet Allah while He is angry with him."
Narrated by 'Alqamah bin Wa'il narrated from his father who said:
Context
In this hadith, a man from Hadramawt approached the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) claiming that another man from Kindah had taken his land. The Kindi denied the claim, asserting ownership. The Prophet (ﷺ) asked the Hadrami for evidence, which he lacked, and thus instructed him that the Kindi's oath would suffice. The Prophet (ﷺ) warned that if the Kindi swore falsely, he would face divine wrath. This situation highlights the importance of evidence in disputes and the serious consequences of dishonesty.
Modern Application
In today's world, this hadith emphasizes the importance of honesty and integrity in personal and business dealings. It serves as a reminder to seek evidence and truth in conflicts, ensuring that justice prevails without resorting to deceit or false claims.
Topics
This hadith is tagged with Justice and Contracts & Agreements because it addresses the need for proof in ownership disputes and the implications of dishonesty in agreements.
O you who have believed, testimony [should be taken] among you when death approaches one of you at the time of bequest - [that of] two just men from among you or two others from outside if you are traveling through the land and the disaster of death should strike you. Detain them after the prayer and let them both swear by Allah if you doubt [their testimony, saying], "We will not exchange our oath for a price, even if he should be a near relative, and we will not withhold the testimony of Allah. Indeed, we would then be of the sinful."
It is not [attributable] to any prophet that he would act unfaithfully [in regard to war booty]. And whoever betrays, [taking unlawfully], will come with what he took on the Day of Resurrection. Then will every soul be [fully] compensated for what it earned, and they will not be wronged.
And if you are on a journey and cannot find a scribe, then a security deposit [should be] taken. And if one of you entrusts another, then let him who is entrusted discharge his trust [faithfully] and let him fear Allah, his Lord. And do not conceal testimony, for whoever conceals it - his heart is indeed sinful, and Allah is Knowing of what you do.
[The Prophet] has said, "My Lord, judge [between us] in truth. And our Lord is the Most Merciful, the one whose help is sought against that which you describe."
This hadith is #1353 from Jami` at-Tirmidhi, in the Book of The Chapters On Judgements From The Messenger of Allah. It is graded Sahih and narrated by 'Alqamah bin Wa'il narrated from his father who said:.