Which collection is this hadith from?

This hadith is from Sunan Abu Dawud, which contains 5,276 hadiths across 43 books. It is hadith number 4342 in the Book of Battles (Kitab Al-Malahim).

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#4341

#4342

Sunan Abu Dawud

#4343

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Sunan Abu Dawud #4342

Q: What is Sunan Abu Dawud 4342 about?

This hadith from Sunan Abu Dawud (Book of Battles (Kitab Al-Malahim)), narrated by Abu sa’Id al-Khudri said:, states: "I head the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) say: If any one you sees something objectionable, he should change it with his hand if he can change it with his hand. (The narrator Hammad broke the rest of the trad…"

Battles (Kitab Al-Malahim)

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 الْعَلاَءِ، وَهَنَّادُ بْنُ السَّرِيِّ، قَالاَ حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو مُعَاوِيَةَ، عَنِ الأَعْمَشِ، عَنْ إِسْمَاعِيلَ بْنِ رَجَاءٍ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ أَبِي سَعِيدٍ، وَعَنْ قَيْسِ بْنِ مُسْلِمٍ، عَنْ طَارِقِ بْنِ شِهَابٍ، عَنْ أَبِي سَعِيدٍ الْخُدْرِيِّ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقُولُ ‏"‏ مَنْ رَأَى مُنْكَرًا فَاسْتَطَاعَ أَنْ يُغَيِّرَهُ بِيَدِهِ فَلْيُغَيِّرْهُ بِيَدِهِ ‏"‏ ‏.‏ وَقَطَعَ هَنَّادٌ بَقِيَّةَ الْحَدِيثِ - وَفَّاهُ ابْنُ الْعَلاَءِ - ‏"‏ فَإِنْ لَمْ يَسْتَطِعْ فَبِلِسَانِهِ فَإِنْ لَمْ يَسْتَطِعْ بِلِسَانِهِ فَبِقَلْبِهِ وَذَلِكَ أَضْعَفُ الإِيمَانِ ‏"‏ ‏.‏

I head the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) say: If any one you sees something objectionable, he should change it with his hand if he can change it with his hand. (The narrator Hammad broke the rest of the tradition which was completed by Ibn al-‘Ala’.) But if he cannot (do so), he should do it with his tongue, and if he cannot (do so with) his tongue he should do it in his heart, that being the weakest form of faith.

Narrated by Abu sa’Id al-Khudri said:

Context

This hadith emphasizes the importance of taking action against wrongdoing. The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) instructs that if someone sees something objectionable, they should change it with their hand if possible, then with their tongue, and if unable, then in their heart. This hierarchy of response highlights the responsibility individuals have to address moral issues.

Modern Application

In everyday life, this principle encourages proactive engagement in community issues. Whether it's speaking out against injustice or supporting positive change, individuals are reminded of their role in fostering a better environment.

Topics

This hadith is tagged with Enjoining Good & Forbidding Evil because it outlines the steps one should take to address wrongdoing, emphasizing the importance of moral responsibility.

Enjoining Good & Forbidding Evil