What is Sahih al-Bukhari 4309 about?

This hadith from Sahih al-Bukhari (Book of Prophetic Commentary on the Qur'an (Tafseer of the Prophet (pbuh))), narrated by Narrated `Adi bin Hatim:, states: "I said, "O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)! What is the meaning of the white thread distinct from the black thread? Are these two threads?" He said, "You are not intelligent if you watch the two threads." He t…"

Is this hadith authentic?

This hadith is graded Sahih. Sahih hadiths are considered the most authentic grade in hadith classification.

Which collection is this hadith from?

This hadith is from Sahih al-Bukhari, which contains 7,277 hadiths across 97 books. It is hadith number 4309 in the Book of Prophetic Commentary on the Qur'an (Tafseer of the Prophet (pbuh)).

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#4308

#4309

Sahih al-Bukhari

#4310

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Sahih al-Bukhari #4309

Prophetic Commentary on the Qur'an (Tafseer of the Prophet (pbuh))

Sahih

The Arabic includes the chain of narration (sanad) and the collector's commentary; the English translation shows the Prophet's words only.

حَدَّثَنَا قُتَيْبَةُ بْنُ سَعِيدٍ، حَدَّثَنَا جَرِيرٌ، عَنْ مُطَرِّفٍ، عَنِ الشَّعْبِيِّ، عَنْ عَدِيِّ بْنِ حَاتِمٍ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ قَالَ قُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ مَا الْخَيْطُ الأَبْيَضُ مِنَ الْخَيْطِ الأَسْوَدِ أَهُمَا الْخَيْطَانِ قَالَ ‏"‏ إِنَّكَ لَعَرِيضُ الْقَفَا إِنْ أَبْصَرْتَ الْخَيْطَيْنِ ‏"‏‏.‏ ثُمَّ قَالَ ‏"‏ لاَ بَلْ هُوَ سَوَادُ اللَّيْلِ وَبَيَاضُ النَّهَارِ ‏"‏‏.‏

I said, "O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)! What is the meaning of the white thread distinct from the black thread? Are these two threads?" He said, "You are not intelligent if you watch the two threads." He then added, "No, it is the darkness of the night and the whiteness of the day.''

Narrated by Narrated `Adi bin Hatim:

Context

In this hadith, the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ clarifies the metaphorical meaning of the 'white thread' and 'black thread' in the context of fasting. He emphasizes that these threads represent the distinction between night and day, guiding Muslims on when to begin and end their fasts. This teaching illustrates the importance of clarity and understanding in religious observance.

Modern Application

This hadith reminds Muslims today to seek clarity in their religious practices. Understanding the principles behind fasting can enhance one's spiritual experience and ensure that observances are performed correctly.

Topics

This hadith is tagged with Fasting because it provides essential guidance on the timing and understanding of fasting practices.

Fasting

Related Ayahs

سُورَةُ لُقۡمَانَ

Luqman (Luqman)

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

1 ayah

أَلَمْ تَرَ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُولِجُ ٱلَّيْلَ فِى ٱلنَّهَارِ وَيُولِجُ ٱلنَّهَارَ فِى ٱلَّيْلِ وَسَخَّرَ ٱلشَّمْسَ وَٱلْقَمَرَ كُلٌّۭ يَجْرِىٓ إِلَىٰٓ أَجَلٍۢ مُّسَمًّۭى وَأَنَّ ٱللَّهَ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ خَبِيرٌۭ

Do you not see that Allah causes the night to enter the day and causes the day to enter the night and has subjected the sun and the moon, each running [its course] for a specified term, and that Allah, with whatever you do, is Acquainted?

سُورَةُ النُّورِ

An-Noor (The Light)

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

1 ayah

يُقَلِّبُ ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّيْلَ وَٱلنَّهَارَ ۚ إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَعِبْرَةًۭ لِّأُو۟لِى ٱلْأَبْصَٰرِ

Allah alternates the night and the day. Indeed in that is a lesson for those who have vision.

سُورَةُ القَصَصِ

Al-Qasas (The Stories)

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

2 ayahs

قُلْ أَرَءَيْتُمْ إِن جَعَلَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَيْكُمُ ٱلَّيْلَ سَرْمَدًا إِلَىٰ يَوْمِ ٱلْقِيَٰمَةِ مَنْ إِلَٰهٌ غَيْرُ ٱللَّهِ يَأْتِيكُم بِضِيَآءٍ ۖ أَفَلَا تَسْمَعُونَ

Say, "Have you considered: if Allah should make for you the night continuous until the Day of Resurrection, what deity other than Allah could bring you light? Then will you not hear?"

قُلْ أَرَءَيْتُمْ إِن جَعَلَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَيْكُمُ ٱلنَّهَارَ سَرْمَدًا إِلَىٰ يَوْمِ ٱلْقِيَٰمَةِ مَنْ إِلَٰهٌ غَيْرُ ٱللَّهِ يَأْتِيكُم بِلَيْلٍۢ تَسْكُنُونَ فِيهِ ۖ أَفَلَا تُبْصِرُونَ

Say, "Have you considered: if Allah should make for you the day continuous until the Day of Resurrection, what deity other than Allah could bring you a night in which you may rest? Then will you not see?"

سُورَةُ النَّحۡلِ

An-Nahl (The Bee)

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

1 ayah

وَلَا تَكُونُوا۟ كَٱلَّتِى نَقَضَتْ غَزْلَهَا مِنۢ بَعْدِ قُوَّةٍ أَنكَٰثًۭا تَتَّخِذُونَ أَيْمَٰنَكُمْ دَخَلًۢا بَيْنَكُمْ أَن تَكُونَ أُمَّةٌ هِىَ أَرْبَىٰ مِنْ أُمَّةٍ ۚ إِنَّمَا يَبْلُوكُمُ ٱللَّهُ بِهِۦ ۚ وَلَيُبَيِّنَنَّ لَكُمْ يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَٰمَةِ مَا كُنتُمْ فِيهِ تَخْتَلِفُونَ

And do not be like she who untwisted her spun thread after it was strong [by] taking your oaths as [means of] deceit between you because one community is more plentiful [in number or wealth] than another community. Allah only tries you thereby. And He will surely make clear to you on the Day of Resurrection that over which you used to differ.

Common Words

107 total70 unique21 repeated

ٱلله8x

ٱليل4x

من4x

فى3x

ٱلنهار3x

إلى3x

إن3x

يوم3x

ٱلقيمة3x

أن2x

قل2x

أرءيتم2x

جعل2x

عليكم2x

سرمدا2x

إله2x

غير2x

يأتيكم2x

أفلا2x

أمة2x

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About Sahih al-Bukhari

This hadith is #4309 from Sahih al-Bukhari, in the Book of Prophetic Commentary on the Qur'an (Tafseer of the Prophet (pbuh)). It is graded Sahih and narrated by Narrated `Adi bin Hatim:.

Browse all Sahih al-Bukhari All Hadith Collections

Sahih al-Bukhari #4309

Context

Modern Application

Topics

Related Ayahs

Common Words

Related Hadiths

About Sahih al-Bukhari

About This Hadith