Adl bin Hatim said: A speaker gave sermon before the prophet ﷺ. He said: he who obeys Allah and his Prophet will follow the right course, and he who disobeys them. He (The prophet) said: get up; he said: go away, a bad speaker you are.
Explanation & Benefits
Shaykh Umar Farooq Saeedi
Benefits and Issues:
To combine Allah and His Messenger sallallahu alayhi wa sallam in a single word or with a dual pronoun, such as saying: (wa man ya'sihuma) "whoever disobeys both of them," is considered contrary to proper etiquette.
They should be mentioned separately, such as by saying (wa rasuluhu) "and His Messenger."
Source: Sunan Abu Dawood – Commentary by Shaykh Umar Farooq Saeedi, Page: 4981
Hafiz Muhammad Ameen
“You are a bad preacher.” Your (the Prophet’s) indication is towards combining Allah and His Messenger in a single pronoun (the “himā” in “yaʿṣihimā”). As is explicitly mentioned in the narration of Sahih Muslim, you (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) had said: [وَمَنْ يَعْصِ اللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ ] “Whoever disobeys Allah and His Messenger (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam).” (Sahih Muslim, al-Jumuʿah, Hadith: 870) Similarly, in one of your sermons, these exact words are found: [ومن يعصِهِما فإنَّه لا يضرُّ إلّا نفسَهُ ] (Sunan Abi Dawud, al-Salat, Hadith: 1097) Also, in the Noble Qur’an: ﴿إِنَّ اللَّهَ وَمَلائِكَتَهُ يُصَلُّونَ﴾, there is also a shared pronoun, yet here you expressed displeasure at the use of the dual pronoun. The reason for this is that, in the context of admonition and speech, there is a need for clarity and explanation rather than ambiguity. This preacher demonstrated ambiguity here, which you did not approve of. From this, it is understood that although brevity is not impermissible, when addressing the general public, one should speak in clear words rather than in brief terms, even if it results in some length, so that the public does not fall into misunderstanding. See also: (Sharh Sahih Muslim by al-Nawawi, Hadith: 870)
Source: Sunan Nasa'i: Translation and Benefits by Shaykh Hafiz Muhammad Amin Hafizullah, Page: 3281
Shaykh Maulana Abdul Aziz Alvi
Hadith Commentary:
Vocabulary of the Hadith:
The word "ghawi" has been recited with both a fatha (zabar) and a kasra (zair) on the letter waw, but according to the most eloquent usage, the fatha is correct. Its meaning is to be engrossed and occupied in evil and wickedness.
Benefits and Issues:
A sermon (khutbah) is generally longer than a lesson (ta’leem).
And it includes all kinds of people.
Therefore, clarification becomes necessary, and for this reason, the preacher should use separate pronouns for Allah and His Messenger.
Moreover, if the pronoun is combined in the context of disobedience, it may give the impression that the disobedience referred to is only that which is committed against both at the same time,
whereas disobedience to Allah and His Messenger can also occur separately. Just as disobedience to Allah is a crime and a sin,
likewise, disobedience to the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) is also, in itself, a crime and a sin.
However, in obedience and love for them, separation is not possible.
Love and obedience to one necessitate love and obedience to the other.
Therefore, etiquette, respect, and reverence demand that, in the context of disobedience to Allah and His Messenger, they be mentioned separately.
However, in the context of teaching, or in such a setting where there is no risk of misunderstanding,
then it is permissible to use a singular pronoun (one pronoun for both).
As the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said while teaching the Khutbat al-Hajah:
(وَمَنْ يَعْصِهِمَا فَإِنَّهُ لَا يَضُرُّ إِلَّا نَفْسَهُ، وَلَا يَضُرُّ اللَّهَ شَيْئًا)
Whoever disobeys them both will only harm himself;
he will not harm Allah in the least.
This style was adopted by the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) in the context of teaching,
and he addressed such people who could not possibly fall into any doctrinal error or misunderstanding regarding Allah and His Messenger.
Source: Tuhfat al-Muslim: Commentary on Sahih Muslim, Page: 2010
Shaykh Umar Farooq Saeedi
1099. Commentary:
The Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam did not approve of mentioning Allah and His Messenger together using a dual pronoun; this is contrary to proper etiquette. There is a possibility of implying equality in this. If this meaning needs to be conveyed, then «من يعص الله ورسوله» should be said.
Source: Sunan Abu Dawood – Commentary by Shaykh Umar Farooq Saeedi, Page: 1099