Bukhari

Hadith Commentary: Imam Bukhari rahimahullah has included this hadith under the chapter, in which the conversation between an Israelite man and an ox is mentioned. The Israelite was using the ox for riding, when Allah Ta’ala granted the ox the ability to speak in human language, and it said, “I have been created for tilling (the land), not for riding.” Since this incident of speaking is from the category of extraordinary occurrences (khariq al-‘adah), and Allah the Exalted is fully capable of granting an animal like an ox the power to converse in human language, therefore the beloved Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam expressed faith in it. In fact, he also included the two Shaykhs (Abu Bakr and Umar radi Allahu anhuma) in this affirmation, because he had complete trust in them, even though both of them were not present there at that time.

“And the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam only said this out of trust in them, due to his knowledge of the truthfulness of their faith, the strength of their certainty, and the perfection of their knowledge of Allah Ta’ala’s power.” (Ayni)

That is, the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said this because he had trust in both of them. He was aware of the truthfulness and strength of their faith and certainty, and he knew that they too possessed perfect knowledge of Allah’s power. Therefore, he included them in this affirmation of faith. Radi Allahu anhuma wa ardahuma.

The second part of the hadith concerns the wolf, which had seized a goat and was carrying it away, when the shepherd pursued it. Allah granted the wolf the ability to speak in human language, and it said to the shepherd, “Today you have snatched this goat from me, but who will snatch those goats from us on the day when Madinah will be deserted, and there will be no shepherd for the goats except us?”

Al-Qurtubi said: “It is as if he is alluding to the hadith of Abu Hurayrah radi Allahu anhu, marfu‘an: ‘They will leave Madinah in the best of states, and none will inhabit it except wild beasts and birds.’”

Qurtubi said that in this there is an allusion to the hadith narrated marfu‘an from Abu Hurayrah radi Allahu anhu, that people will leave Madinah in safety, and upon their return they will see that the entire city has become the dwelling place of wild beasts, animals, and birds.

Upon hearing the voice of this wolf, the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam also expressed faith, including the two Companions in this affirmation.

In summary, the chapter that Imam Bukhari rahimahullah established is proven by the part of the hadith concerning the conversation of the ox. It is also understood that ever since man entered the world of consciousness and turned towards agriculture, he has mostly used the ox to make the land cultivable. Although donkeys, horses, camels, and buffaloes are also yoked to ploughs in some countries, in general, it is the ox that nature has made worthy of this great service. Even in this mechanical age, there is no substitute for the ox, as is observed.

Hadith Commentary:
(1)
Imam Bukhari rahimahullah has established that oxen and cows can be used for agriculture, even though they have other benefits and advantages as well, such as: eating their meat, obtaining milk, etc. However, using them for agriculture is established by explicit text (nass). The statement of the ox that “I have been created for farming” does not imply exclusivity; rather, other benefits can also be derived from them, as we have mentioned. Mentioning one benefit does not negate the others. Although in this mechanical age their use has somewhat decreased, even now the profession of agriculture is incomplete without them.

(2)
It should be clear that there is nothing irrational in this hadith, because Allah ta‘ala has also given animals a language, and whenever He wills, He can grant them the power of speech; their speaking is not a difficult matter, although it is certainly against the usual order (khilaf ‘adat). Since the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam has informed us of this, we have faith and certainty in it. What the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said regarding the two Shaykhs (Abu Bakr and Umar radi Allahu anhuma) is an expression of his firm trust in their faith and the strength of their conviction. And Allah knows best.