Bukhari

Hadith Commentary:
In the narration, the mention of the Prophet ﷺ being the distributor (Qasim) is present; this is the point of relevance to the chapter.
Religious understanding (fiqh) is undoubtedly a gift from Allah; whoever receives it is truly fortunate.
The understanding based on personal opinion and analogy (ra’y and qiyas), and the understanding of religion in the light of the Book and Sunnah, are two entirely separate things.
The best example of religious understanding is the book "Hujjat Allah al-Baligha" by the esteemed teacher Shah Waliullah Muhaddith Dehlawi rahimahullah, in which religious insight is as clear as daylight in every line. In it, there is also a warning for the literalists who, with only a superficial glance, are accustomed to issuing religious verdicts; such people are no less harmful to the community than those addicted to personal opinion and analogy.
A famous saying is: "For one measure of knowledge, ten measures of intellect are needed."
Shaytan was knowledgeable but devoid of intellect; that is why he prioritized his own opinion and raised the slogan "I am better than him (ana khayrun minhu)" and was declared accursed in the Divine Court.
This hadith has also been mentioned in the Book of Knowledge, though there is a slight difference in wording.
As for the statement that the Muslim Ummah will always prevail over its opponents, this refers to absolute dominance, whether political or in terms of proof and argument. It is possible that Muslims may become politically weak at some point in time, but due to their religious virtues, they will always surpass the nations of the world in practice.
Today, in this most delicate era, all kinds of decline have overtaken the Muslims.
Yet, due to many virtues, even today all the nations of the world acknowledge the superiority of the Muslims, and this will remain so until the Day of Judgment.
In the past fourteen centuries, Muslims have faced various declines, but the Ummah has confronted them all, and Islam, due to its unique virtues, still prevails over the religions of the world.
By "understanding" is meant comprehension of the Qur’an and Hadith, which Allah the Exalted grants to His chosen servants.
Just as Allah the Exalted granted such understanding to Imam Bukhari rahimahullah that he was able to derive numerous rulings from a single hadith.

Hadith Commentary:
➊
In this hadith as well, there is mention of the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) being the distributor (Qasim).
And the basis of Imam Bukhari’s (rahimahullah) argument is precisely this word: that the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) is not the owner of the khums, but rather the one who distributes it.

➋
It should be clear that religious understanding (fiqh) and analogical reasoning (qiyas) are two separate things.
Religious insight is undoubtedly a gift from Allah.
The dominance of the Muslim Ummah is absolute, whether it be political or in terms of proofs and evidences.
It is possible that Muslims may, at times, become politically weak, but due to their moral and religious virtues, they will always remain superior to the nations of the world in action and character.
Even today, in this delicate era when Muslims are afflicted by all kinds of decline, yet because of many virtues, all the nations of the world still acknowledge their worth; and this will remain the case until the Day of Judgment.
And Allah is the One whose help is sought.

Explanation:
Foolish people who become claimants of knowledge and assume the roles of preachers and spiritual guides—“a half-doctor is a danger to life, a half-mullah is a danger to faith”—this has been said precisely about such individuals.

Hadith Commentary:
1.
Three points are mentioned in this hadith:
(1)
The greatness of understanding (fiqh) in the religion.
(2)
Understanding in the religion (tafaqquh fi al-din) is a divine gift.
(3)
Its bearers will remain until the Day of Resurrection.
As for its greatness, it is self-evident, for its meaning is that a person who is ignorant of religious matters and unfamiliar with the principles of Islam is deprived of goodness and blessings.

2.
In one hadith it is stated that whoever does not acquire understanding in religious matters, Allah does not care about him.
Although its chain of narration is weak, its meaning is correct. Furthermore, understanding in the religion (tafaqquh fi al-din) is a divine gift; it is not attained by effort and striving alone.
The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) himself said that the knowledge which has been given to me, I am the one who distributes it.
There is no withholding or miserliness on my part.
The more yearning a person has in his heart to attain it,
the more he will benefit from this knowledge.

3.
Its greatness is also evident in that those who benefit from this knowledge will remain until the Day of Resurrection.
Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal (rahimahullah) said that if the victorious group (ta’ifah mansurah) is not the people of hadith (Ahl al-Hadith), then I do not know which group it could be.
From this, too, the greatness of the eminent hadith scholars is established.
(Fath al-Bari: 1/216)
By “the command of Allah” is meant the wind that will blow near the end of time and will seize the souls of the believers.
After that, only the wicked and disbelievers will remain, and then the Hour will be established upon them.

Hadith Commentary:
It is understood that Allah's religion, Islam, will remain established until the Day of Judgment. No matter how much the enemies of Islam strive, this lamp cannot be extinguished by their mere blowing.

Hadith Commentary:
➊
In one hadith it is stated:
“There will always remain a group in my Ummah who will uphold the religion of Allah.
The opposition of others will not harm them in any way.
They will always continue to defend the truth.”
(Sahih Muslim, Al-Imarah, Hadith: 4957(1924))
This hadith establishes the authority of consensus (ijma‘).
Imam Nawawi rahimahullah states:
Various hadiths mention different characteristics of this group, from which it is understood that this group will consist of various types of believers.
Among them will be the mujahid (striver) on the battlefield, the master of knowledge such as the hadith scholar (muhaddith), jurist (faqih), and commentator (mufassir), the vanguard in ethics, the devout worshipper, those who spend the night in prayer, those who guide towards good, those who forbid evil—in short, people of every kind who will serve Islam from every aspect.
It is not necessary for them to be gathered in one place; rather, even while residing in different corners of the earth, they will continue to defend the religion.
It is possible that near the end of times, as their numbers dwindle, they may gather in one place.
When they cease to exist, the Hour will be established.

➋
Imam Bukhari rahimahullah means that this group will firmly adhere to the Book and the Sunnah.
They will guide people solely through the Qur’an and Hadith.
They will not indulge in excessive use of analogy (qiyas) and personal opinion (ra’y).
And this group will consist of the noble hadith scholars (muhaddithin) and the mujahidin of Islam.
And Allah knows best.

Hadith Commentary:

Benefits and Issues:

➊ By the era of Muawiyah (radi Allahu anhu), various regions had been conquered, and in these lands, the learned among the Jews and Christians would narrate the traditions of their books among the people. As a result, the narrations of the People of the Book began to spread widely. During the era of Umar (radi Allahu anhu), narrations were conveyed with great caution and strictness by his order. However, due to the general mingling with non-Arabs, this caution had diminished. Therefore, Amir Muawiyah (radi Allahu anhu) said: Rely on the narrations from the era of Umar (radi Allahu anhu).

➋ Understanding of the religion (fiqh) is a special favor from Allah Ta’ala, which is granted only to those whom Allah Ta’ala intends good for, that is, great goodness. Those who are deprived of understanding and deep knowledge of the religion are deprived of this great goodness.

➌ (Innama ana khazin) — “I am only a guardian and protector; the Owner is Allah Ta’ala. I only give in compliance with His command.” It is further mentioned: (wa innama ana qasimun wallahu yu‘ti) — “My task is only to distribute the knowledge of jurisprudence (fiqh) and wealth that comes from Allah, according to His command. Each person receives according to the ability and capacity granted by Allah. I do not act with miserliness in distribution, nor do I deprive anyone. Knowledge and understanding are based on the ability and capability granted by Allah Ta’ala, and the distribution of wealth is also according to Allah’s command. I am only bound to follow the command.”

➍ Asking without need or necessity, or taking by compelling or insisting, becomes a cause of deprivation from goodness and blessing. If someone gives to another considering him deserving, with a happy heart and eagerness, then it becomes a cause of goodness and blessing for the recipient.

Hadith Commentary:
Vocabulary of the Hadith:
yufaqihhu fi ad-din:
He will be granted understanding and depth in religion; he will comprehend the reality and essence of the religion,
and within him will be established a firm aptitude for understanding the religion.

(2)
‘ala man nawa’ahum:
Whoever shows enmity towards them.

Takhrij:
[صحيح بخاري 71],
[صحيح مسلم 2389]

Fiqh al-Hadith:
➊ Fiqh in essence means understanding and insight. In this hadith, there is great virtue for «تفقه فى الدين». Who are the people meant by those possessing this understanding, i.e., the fuqaha? In explanation of this, Hafiz Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani has written:
«وقد جزم البخاري بأن المراد بهم أهل العلم بالآثار، وقال أحمد بن حنبل : إن لم يكونوا أهل الحديث فلا أدري من هم. . .»
“(Imam) Bukhari has stated decisively that what is meant by them are the scholars who know the traditions (ahadith).”
And Ahmad ibn Hanbal said:
“If these people are not the Ahl al-Hadith (muhaddithin), then I do not know who they are.” [فتح الباري ج1 ص164 تحت ح71] Also see ‘Umdat al-Qari [ج2 ص52]
◄ For Imam Bukhari’s statement, see [مسألة الاحتجاج بالشافعي للخطيب: ص47 وسنده صحيح]
◄ For the statement of Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal, see: [معرفة علوم الحديث للحاكم :ص2 وسنده حسن]
◄ To say that the noble muhaddithin were not fuqaha is a great lie.
◄ Regarding Imam Bukhari, Hafiz Ibn Hajar said:
«وإمام الدنيا فى فقه الحديث»
“And he was the Imam of the world in the fiqh of hadith.” [تقريب التهذيب : 5725]
◄ Regarding Imam Muslim, he said:
«. . . عالم بالفقه» “A scholar of fiqh.” [تقريب التهذيب : 6623]
➋ «وإنما أنا قاسم» “And I am the distributor” — in explanation of this, Qastallani wrote:
«أي أقسم بينكم تبليغ الوحي من غير تخصيص»
“That is, ‘I am distributing the revelation among you without any specification.’” [ارشاد الساري ج1 ص170]
◄ It is thus understood that by “distributor” is meant distributing and spreading the knowledge of the Qur’an and hadith among the people. Some people have taken this to mean the distribution of wealth (i.e., the distribution of war booty among the people), and this meaning is also correct.
➌ This hadith was narrated by our master Mu‘awiyah radi Allahu anhu in a sermon, which is evidence that the caliphs of Islam considered hadith as proof and would openly propagate it among the public. Therefore, the denial of authentic hadith by the rejecters of hadith is imitation of the Khawarij and Mu‘tazilah and a non-Arab conspiracy.
➍ This distribution was during the lifetime of the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, and after his passing, all understanding is now only in following his authentic ahadith.

Benefits: The aforementioned hadith establishes the virtue of understanding in the religion (fiqh).
By "fiqh" is meant comprehension of the Qur’an and Hadith, not the prevalent and specific jurisprudence (fiqh) as is commonly understood among people.
Sayyiduna Abdullah ibn Mas’ud radi Allahu anhu narrates that the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said:
«نَضَّرَ اللَّهُ امْرَأً سَمِعَ مَقَالَتِي فَوَعَاهَا وَحَفِظَهَا وَبَلَّغَهَا فَرُبَّ حَامِلِ فِقْهٍ إِلَى مَنْ هُوَ أَفْقَهُ مِنْهُ» [ترمذي: 2658، مسند أحمد: 1/ 436]
“May Allah keep fresh the one who hears my statement, memorizes it, and then conveys it to others. Many carriers of fiqh are not themselves jurists (fuqaha), and many carriers of fiqh convey it to those who are more learned in jurisprudence than themselves.”
In this, the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam referred to his own hadith as "fiqh."
But unfortunately, today a jurist (faqih) is considered to be one who, turning away from the texts of the Qur’an and Hadith, possesses knowledge only of the statements of the imams and the deductions based upon them.
As the poet says:
They have called reason madness, and madness reason;
Your beauty, O beloved, may create whatever marvels it wishes.