Sunan Abu Dawud #2213
Divorce (Kitab Al-Talaq)
The Arabic includes the chain of narration (sanad) and the collector's commentary; the English translation shows the Prophet's words only.
حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ الْمُثَنَّى، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الْوَهَّابِ، حَدَّثَنَا هِشَامٌ، عَنْ مُحَمَّدٍ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم " أَنَّ إِبْرَاهِيمَ صلى الله عليه وسلم لَمْ يَكْذِبْ قَطُّ إِلاَّ ثَلاَثًا ثِنْتَانِ فِي ذَاتِ اللَّهِ تَعَالَى قَوْلُهُ { إِنِّي سَقِيمٌ } وَقَوْلُهُ { بَلْ فَعَلَهُ كَبِيرُهُمْ هَذَا } وَبَيْنَمَا هُوَ يَسِيرُ فِي أَرْضِ جَبَّارٍ مِنَ الْجَبَابِرَةِ إِذْ نَزَلَ مَنْزِلاً فَأُتِيَ الْجَبَّارُ فَقِيلَ لَهُ إِنَّهُ نَزَلَ هَا هُنَا رَجُلٌ مَعَهُ امْرَأَةٌ هِيَ أَحْسَنُ النَّاسِ قَالَ فَأَرْسَلَ إِلَيْهِ فَسَأَلَهُ عَنْهَا فَقَالَ إِنَّهَا أُخْتِي . فَلَمَّا رَجَعَ إِلَيْهَا قَالَ إِنَّ هَذَا سَأَلَنِي عَنْكِ فَأَنْبَأْتُهُ أَنَّكِ أُخْتِي وَإِنَّهُ لَيْسَ الْيَوْمَ مُسْلِمٌ غَيْرِي وَغَيْرُكِ وَإِنَّكِ أُخْتِي فِي كِتَابِ اللَّهِ فَلاَ تُكَذِّبِينِي عِنْدَهُ " . وَسَاقَ الْحَدِيثَ . قَالَ أَبُو دَاوُدَ رَوَى هَذَا الْخَبَرَ شُعَيْبُ بْنُ أَبِي حَمْزَةَ عَنْ أَبِي الزِّنَادِ عَنِ الأَعْرَجِ عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم نَحْوَهُ .
Abu Hurairah reported the Prophet(ﷺ) as saying Abraham(peace be upon him) never told a lie except on three occasions twice for the sake of Allaah. Allaah quoted his words (in the Qur’an) “I am indeed sick” and “Nay, this was done by - this is their biggest one”. Once he was passing through the land of a tyrant (king). He stayed there in a place. People went to the tyrant and informed him saying “A man has come down here; he has a most beautiful woman with him.” So he sent for him (Abraham) and asked about her. He said she is my sister. When he returned to her, he said “he asked me about you and I informed him that you were my sister. Today there is no believer except me and you. You are my sister in the Book of Allaah (i.e., sister in faith). So do not belie me before him. The narrator then narrated the rest of the tradition.
Abu Dawud said “A similar tradition has also been narrated by Shu’aib bin Abi Hamza from Abi Al Zinad from Al A’raj on the authority of Abu Hurairah from the Prophet (ﷺ).
Context
In this narration, the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) speaks about the truthfulness of Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him), noting that he only lied on three occasions, two of which were for the sake of Allah. This highlights the value of honesty and the context in which one might find themselves compelled to speak differently. It serves as a reminder of the complexities surrounding truthfulness.
Modern Application
This hadith encourages individuals to reflect on the importance of honesty in their lives while also understanding the nuances of difficult situations. It promotes a culture of truthfulness and integrity in personal and communal interactions.
Topics
This hadith is tagged with Prophets and Truthfulness because it illustrates the significance of honesty and the context of truth in the lives of the Prophets.
Related Ayahs
سُورَةُ النَّحۡلِ
An-Nahl (The Bee)
بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
1 ayah
إِنَّ إِبْرَٰهِيمَ كَانَ أُمَّةًۭ قَانِتًۭا لِّلَّهِ حَنِيفًۭا وَلَمْ يَكُ مِنَ ٱلْمُشْرِكِينَ
Indeed, Abraham was a [comprehensive] leader, devoutly obedient to Allah, inclining toward truth, and he was not of those who associate others with Allah.
سُورَةُ مَرۡيَمَ
Maryam (Mary)
بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
1 ayah
وَٱذْكُرْ فِى ٱلْكِتَٰبِ إِبْرَٰهِيمَ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ صِدِّيقًۭا نَّبِيًّا
And mention in the Book [the story of] Abraham. Indeed, he was a man of truth and a prophet.
سُورَةُ التَّوۡبَةِ
At-Tawba (The Repentance)
1 ayah
وَمَا كَانَ ٱسْتِغْفَارُ إِبْرَٰهِيمَ لِأَبِيهِ إِلَّا عَن مَّوْعِدَةٍۢ وَعَدَهَآ إِيَّاهُ فَلَمَّا تَبَيَّنَ لَهُۥٓ أَنَّهُۥ عَدُوٌّۭ لِّلَّهِ تَبَرَّأَ مِنْهُ ۚ إِنَّ إِبْرَٰهِيمَ لَأَوَّٰهٌ حَلِيمٌۭ
And the request of forgiveness of Abraham for his father was only because of a promise he had made to him. But when it became apparent to Abraham that his father was an enemy to Allah, he disassociated himself from him. Indeed was Abraham compassionate and patient.
سُورَةُ هُودٍ
Hud (Hud)
بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
1 ayah
إِنَّ إِبْرَٰهِيمَ لَحَلِيمٌ أَوَّٰهٌۭ مُّنِيبٌۭ
Indeed, Abraham was forbearing, grieving and [frequently] returning [to Allah].
سُورَةُ البَقَرَةِ
Al-Baqara (The Cow)
بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
1 ayah
۞ وَإِذِ ٱبْتَلَىٰٓ إِبْرَٰهِۦمَ رَبُّهُۥ بِكَلِمَٰتٍۢ فَأَتَمَّهُنَّ ۖ قَالَ إِنِّى جَاعِلُكَ لِلنَّاسِ إِمَامًۭا ۖ قَالَ وَمِن ذُرِّيَّتِى ۖ قَالَ لَا يَنَالُ عَهْدِى ٱلظَّٰلِمِينَ
And [mention, O Muhammad], when Abraham was tried by his Lord with commands and he fulfilled them. [Allah] said, "Indeed, I will make you a leader for the people." [Abraham] said, "And of my descendants?" [Allah] said, "My covenant does not include the wrongdoers."
Common Words
65 total54 unique5 repeated
إبرهيم5x
إن3x
كان3x
قال3x
لله2x
أمة1x
قانتا1x
حنيفا1x
ولم1x
يك1x
من1x
ٱلمشركين1x
وٱذكر1x
فى1x
ٱلكتب1x
إنه1x
صديقا1x
نبيا1x
وما1x
ٱستغفار1x
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About Sunan Abu Dawud
This hadith is #2213 from Sunan Abu Dawud, in the Book of Divorce (Kitab Al-Talaq). It is graded Sahih.