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 عَلِيُّ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ، حَدَّثَنَا سُفْيَانُ، قَالَ الزُّهْرِيُّ حَدَّثَنَاهُ قَالَ حَدَّثَنِي أَبُو إِدْرِيسَ، سَمِعَ عُبَادَةَ بْنَ الصَّامِتِ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ قَالَ كُنَّا عِنْدَ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَقَالَ " أَتُبَايِعُونِي عَلَى أَنْ لاَ تُشْرِكُوا بِاللَّهِ شَيْئًا وَلاَ تَزْنُوا وَلاَ تَسْرِقُوا ". وَقَرَأَ آيَةَ النِّسَاءِ ـ وَأَكْثَرُ لَفْظِ سُفْيَانَ قَرَأَ الآيَةَ ـ " فَمَنْ وَفَى مِنْكُمْ فَأَجْرُهُ عَلَى اللَّهِ، وَمَنْ أَصَابَ مِنْ ذَلِكَ شَيْئًا فَعُوقِبَ فَهُوَ كَفَّارَةٌ لَهُ، وَمَنْ أَصَابَ مِنْهَا شَيْئًا مِنْ ذَلِكَ فَسَتَرَهُ اللَّهُ فَهْوَ إِلَى اللَّهِ، إِنْ شَاءَ عَذَّبَهُ وَإِنْ شَاءَ غَفَرَ لَهُ} ". تَابَعَهُ عَبْدُ الرَّزَّاقِ عَنْ مَعْمَرٍ فِي الآيَةِ.
While we were with the Prophet, he said, "Will you swear to me the pledge of allegiance that you will
not worship any thing besides Allah, will not commit illegal sexual intercourse, and will not steal?"
Then he recited the Verse concerning the women. (Sufyan, the subnarrator, often said that the Prophet:
added, "Whoever among you fulfills his pledge, will receive his reward from Allah, and whoever
commits any of those sins and receives the legal punishment (in this life), his punishment will be an
expiation for that sin; and whoever commits any of those sins and Allah screens him, then it is up to
Allah to punish or forgive them."
Narrated by Narrated 'Ubada bin As-Samit:
Context
In this hadith, the Prophet (ﷺ) outlines a pledge of allegiance that includes fundamental ethical principles such as avoiding shirk (associating partners with Allah), adultery, and theft. This pledge signifies the importance of moral integrity and accountability within the community, establishing a foundation for a just society.
Modern Application
Today, this hadith serves as a reminder of the ethical standards that Muslims are encouraged to uphold. It calls for personal accountability and integrity in all aspects of life, fostering a sense of responsibility towards oneself and the community.
Topics
This hadith is tagged with Prophetic Authority and Oaths and Vows because it emphasizes the significance of ethical commitments and the authority of the Prophet (ﷺ) in guiding moral conduct.
O Prophet, when the believing women come to you pledging to you that they will not associate anything with Allah, nor will they steal, nor will they commit unlawful sexual intercourse, nor will they kill their children, nor will they bring forth a slander they have invented between their arms and legs, nor will they disobey you in what is right - then accept their pledge and ask forgiveness for them of Allah. Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.
And those who do not invoke with Allah another deity or kill the soul which Allah has forbidden [to be killed], except by right, and do not commit unlawful sexual intercourse. And whoever should do that will meet a penalty.
Indeed, those who pledge allegiance to you, [O Muhammad] - they are actually pledging allegiance to Allah. The hand of Allah is over their hands. So he who breaks his word only breaks it to the detriment of himself. And he who fulfills that which he has promised Allah - He will give him a great reward.
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.
O wives of the Prophet, whoever of you should commit a clear immorality - for her the punishment would be doubled two fold, and ever is that, for Allah, easy.
This hadith is #4686 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 'Ubada bin As-Samit:.