"Why don't you pledge to me upon that which the women have pledged: That you will not associate anything with Allah, that you will not steal, that you will not have unlawful sexual relations, that you will not utter slander, fabricating from between your hands and feet, and that you will not disobey me in goodness (Ma'ruf)?" We said: "yes, O Messenger of Allah." So we gave him our pledge, on that basis. The Messenger of Allah said: "Whoever commits any of these actions after that, and is punished, that will be an expiation. Whoever is not punished, then his affair is up to Allah; if He wills, He will forgive him, and if He wills, He will punish him."
Narrated by It was narrated from 'Ubadah bin As-Samit that the Messenger of Allah said:
Context
In this hadith, the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ calls upon his followers to pledge their commitment to fundamental ethical principles, including the prohibition of associating partners with Allah, stealing, unlawful sexual relations, and killing one's children. This pledge emphasizes the importance of adhering to moral conduct and obedience to the Prophet ﷺ in matters of goodness. The Prophet ﷺ reassures that any transgressions will be met with divine justice, either through punishment or forgiveness.
Modern Application
In today's society, this hadith encourages individuals to uphold ethical standards in their personal and communal lives. It serves as a reminder to avoid actions that harm oneself or others, fostering a sense of responsibility and accountability within communities.
Topics
This hadith is tagged with Community and Prophetic Command because it emphasizes the collective commitment to ethical behavior and obedience to the Prophet's ﷺ guidance.
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.
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.
Allah will not impose blame upon you for what is meaningless in your oaths, but He will impose blame upon you for [breaking] what you intended of oaths. So its expiation is the feeding of ten needy people from the average of that which you feed your [own] families or clothing them or the freeing of a slave. But whoever cannot find [or afford it] - then a fast of three days [is required]. That is the expiation for oaths when you have sworn. But guard your oaths. Thus does Allah make clear to you His verses that you may be grateful.
And remember the favor of Allah upon you and His covenant with which He bound you when you said, "We hear and we obey"; and fear Allah. Indeed, Allah is Knowing of that within the breasts.
And do not take your oaths as [means of] deceit between you, lest a foot slip after it was [once] firm, and you would taste evil [in this world] for what [people] you diverted from the way of Allah, and you would have [in the Hereafter] a great punishment.
This hadith is #4172 from Sunan an-Nasa'i, in the Book of The Book of al-Bay'ah. It is graded Sahih and narrated by It was narrated from 'Ubadah bin As-Samit that the Messenger of Allah said:.