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 4542 in the Book of Prophetic Commentary on the Qur'an (Tafseer of the Prophet (pbuh)).

I searched for a different number — is this the right hadith?

Hadith numbering varies across editions and translations (USC-MSA, Dar as-Salam, Fath al-Bari, and others). If you followed a link citing a different number but landed here, you may have been redirected to the canonical version in our library. If you were looking for a different hadith entirely, use the search bar to find it by text.

‹

#4541

#4542

Sahih al-Bukhari

#4543

›

Sahih al-Bukhari #4542

Q: What is Sahih al-Bukhari 4542 about?

This hadith from Sahih al-Bukhari (Book of Prophetic Commentary on the Qur'an (Tafseer of the Prophet (pbuh))), narrated by Narrated Ibn `Umar:, states: "A man accused his wife of illegal sexual intercourse and denied his paternity to her (conceived) child during the lifetime of Allah's Messenger (ﷺ). Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) ordered them both to do Mula…"

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 مُقَدَّمُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ يَحْيَى، حَدَّثَنَا عَمِّي الْقَاسِمُ بْنُ يَحْيَى، عَنْ عُبَيْدِ اللَّهِ، وَقَدْ سَمِعَ مِنْهُ، عَنْ نَافِعٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ ـ رضى الله عنهما ـ أَنَّ رَجُلاً، رَمَى امْرَأَتَهُ فَانْتَفَى مِنْ وَلَدِهَا فِي زَمَانِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَأَمَرَ بِهِمَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَتَلاَعَنَا كَمَا قَالَ اللَّهُ، ثُمَّ قَضَى بِالْوَلَدِ لِلْمَرْأَةِ وَفَرَّقَ بَيْنَ الْمُتَلاَعِنَيْنِ‏.‏

A man accused his wife of illegal sexual intercourse and denied his paternity to her (conceived) child during the lifetime of Allah's Messenger (ﷺ). Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) ordered them both to do Mula'ana as Allah decreed and then gave his decision that the child would be for the mother, and a divorce decree was issued for the couple involved in a case of Mula'ana.

Narrated by Narrated Ibn `Umar:

Context

This hadith recounts a situation where a man accused his wife of infidelity and denied paternity of their child during the time of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ). The Prophet (ﷺ) ordered both parties to engage in Mula'ana, a process of mutual cursing to establish the truth. Ultimately, he ruled in favor of the mother, granting her custody of the child and issuing a divorce. This illustrates the Prophet's role in resolving disputes and upholding justice.

Modern Application

In contemporary society, this hadith underscores the importance of fair legal processes and the need for clear evidence in matters of family law. It serves as a reminder that accusations should be handled with care and that justice must be pursued through established legal frameworks.

Topics

This hadith is tagged with Divine Revelation and Punishments (Hudud) because it reflects the application of divine laws in resolving personal disputes and emphasizes the seriousness of accusations within marital relationships.

Divine Revelation Punishments (Hudud)

Related Ayahs

سُورَةُ البَقَرَةِ

Al-Baqara (The Cow)

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

2 ayahs

وَٱلْمُطَلَّقَٰتُ يَتَرَبَّصْنَ بِأَنفُسِهِنَّ ثَلَٰثَةَ قُرُوٓءٍۢ ۚ وَلَا يَحِلُّ لَهُنَّ أَن يَكْتُمْنَ مَا خَلَقَ ٱللَّهُ فِىٓ أَرْحَامِهِنَّ إِن كُنَّ يُؤْمِنَّ بِٱللَّهِ وَٱلْيَوْمِ ٱلْءَاخِرِ ۚ وَبُعُولَتُهُنَّ أَحَقُّ بِرَدِّهِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ إِنْ أَرَادُوٓا۟ إِصْلَٰحًۭا ۚ وَلَهُنَّ مِثْلُ ٱلَّذِى عَلَيْهِنَّ بِٱلْمَعْرُوفِ ۚ وَلِلرِّجَالِ عَلَيْهِنَّ دَرَجَةٌۭ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ عَزِيزٌ حَكِيمٌ

Divorced women remain in waiting for three periods, and it is not lawful for them to conceal what Allah has created in their wombs if they believe in Allah and the Last Day. And their husbands have more right to take them back in this [period] if they want reconciliation. And due to the wives is similar to what is expected of them, according to what is reasonable. But the men have a degree over them [in responsibility and authority]. And Allah is Exalted in Might and Wise.

وَإِنْ عَزَمُوا۟ ٱلطَّلَٰقَ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ سَمِيعٌ عَلِيمٌۭ

And if they decide on divorce - then indeed, Allah is Hearing and Knowing.

سُورَةُ الأَحۡزَابِ

Al-Ahzaab (The Clans)

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

1 ayah

وَإِذْ تَقُولُ لِلَّذِىٓ أَنْعَمَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَأَنْعَمْتَ عَلَيْهِ أَمْسِكْ عَلَيْكَ زَوْجَكَ وَٱتَّقِ ٱللَّهَ وَتُخْفِى فِى نَفْسِكَ مَا ٱللَّهُ مُبْدِيهِ وَتَخْشَى ٱلنَّاسَ وَٱللَّهُ أَحَقُّ أَن تَخْشَىٰهُ ۖ فَلَمَّا قَضَىٰ زَيْدٌۭ مِّنْهَا وَطَرًۭا زَوَّجْنَٰكَهَا لِكَىْ لَا يَكُونَ عَلَى ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ حَرَجٌۭ فِىٓ أَزْوَٰجِ أَدْعِيَآئِهِمْ إِذَا قَضَوْا۟ مِنْهُنَّ وَطَرًۭا ۚ وَكَانَ أَمْرُ ٱللَّهِ مَفْعُولًۭا

And [remember, O Muhammad], when you said to the one on whom Allah bestowed favor and you bestowed favor, "Keep your wife and fear Allah," while you concealed within yourself that which Allah is to disclose. And you feared the people, while Allah has more right that you fear Him. So when Zayd had no longer any need for her, We married her to you in order that there not be upon the believers any discomfort concerning the wives of their adopted sons when they no longer have need of them. And ever is the command of Allah accomplished.

سُورَةُ النُّورِ

An-Noor (The Light)

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

1 ayah

ٱلزَّانِيَةُ وَٱلزَّانِى فَٱجْلِدُوا۟ كُلَّ وَٰحِدٍۢ مِّنْهُمَا مِا۟ئَةَ جَلْدَةٍۢ ۖ وَلَا تَأْخُذْكُم بِهِمَا رَأْفَةٌۭ فِى دِينِ ٱللَّهِ إِن كُنتُمْ تُؤْمِنُونَ بِٱللَّهِ وَٱلْيَوْمِ ٱلْءَاخِرِ ۖ وَلْيَشْهَدْ عَذَابَهُمَا طَآئِفَةٌۭ مِّنَ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ

The [unmarried] woman or [unmarried] man found guilty of sexual intercourse - lash each one of them with a hundred lashes, and do not be taken by pity for them in the religion of Allah, if you should believe in Allah and the Last Day. And let a group of the believers witness their punishment.

سُورَةُ النِّسَاءِ

An-Nisaa (The Women)

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

1 ayah

وَٱلَّٰتِى يَأْتِينَ ٱلْفَٰحِشَةَ مِن نِّسَآئِكُمْ فَٱسْتَشْهِدُوا۟ عَلَيْهِنَّ أَرْبَعَةًۭ مِّنكُمْ ۖ فَإِن شَهِدُوا۟ فَأَمْسِكُوهُنَّ فِى ٱلْبُيُوتِ حَتَّىٰ يَتَوَفَّىٰهُنَّ ٱلْمَوْتُ أَوْ يَجْعَلَ ٱللَّهُ لَهُنَّ سَبِيلًۭا

Those who commit unlawful sexual intercourse of your women - bring against them four [witnesses] from among you. And if they testify, confine the guilty women to houses until death takes them or Allah ordains for them [another] way.

Common Words

143 total113 unique18 repeated

ٱلله8x

فى6x

إن3x

عليهن3x

ولا2x

لهن2x

أن2x

ما2x

بٱلله2x

وٱليوم2x

ٱلءاخر2x

أحق2x

وٱلله2x

عليه2x

وطرا2x

ٱلمؤمنين2x

من2x

فإن2x

وٱلمطلقت1x

يتربصن1x

Scroll to explore ayah details

Related Hadiths

About Sahih al-Bukhari

This hadith is #4542 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 Ibn `Umar:.

Browse all Sahih al-Bukhari All Hadith Collections

Sahih al-Bukhari #4542

Context

Modern Application

Topics

Related Ayahs

Common Words

Related Hadiths

About Sahih al-Bukhari

About This Hadith