Toggle above to switch between keyword search and direct hadith lookup
سنن ابن ماجه
Ibn Majah
كتاب الأحكامThe Chapters on Rulings
بَابُ : لاَ يَحْكُمُ الْحَاكِمُ وَهُوَ غَضْبَانُChapter: The judge Should Not Pass A Judgment When He Is Angry
Hadith 2316
اُردوEn
حَدَّثَنَا هِشَامُ بْنُ عَمَّارٍ ، وَمُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ يَزِيدَ ، وَأَحْمَدُ بْنُ ثَابِتٍ الْجَحْدَرِيُّ ، قَالُوا : حَدَّثَنَا سُفْيَانُ بْنُ عُيَيْنَةَ ، عَنْ عَبْدِ الْمَلِكِ بْنِ عُمَيْرٍ ، أَنَّهُ سَمِعَ عَبْدَ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنَ أَبِي بَكْرَةَ ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ : " لَا يَقْضِي الْقَاضِي بَيْنَ اثْنَيْنِ وَهُوَ غَضْبَانُ " ، قَالَ هِشَامٌ فِي حَدِيثِهِ : لَا يَنْبَغِي لِلْحَاكِمِ أَنْ يَقْضِيَ بَيْنَ اثْنَيْنِ وَهُوَ غَضْبَانُ .
´It was narrated from 'Abdul-Malik bin 'Umair that he heard 'Abdur-Rahman bin Abu Bakrah (narrate) from his father that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:` “Let the judge (Qadi) not pass a judgment when he is angry.”
Related hadith on this topic
Brief Explanation
1؎: When the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam made a judgment between Zubair radi Allahu anhu and an Ansari while in a state of anger, this was a particularity (khasais) of the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, because he was infallible (ma'sum) in both states of anger and pleasure. And it is apparent that the prohibition here is of a prohibitive (tahrimi) nature. Upon this, the majority of scholars have said that if someone makes a judgment while in a state of anger, and that judgment is correct, then it will be valid. Allamah Ibn al-Qayyim says that a mufti should not issue a fatwa while in intense anger, or in excessive hunger, or in great anxiety, or in distressing fear, or when overcome by sleep, or in need of relieving himself (defecation or urination). Similarly, when the heart is preoccupied elsewhere. Rather, when a person feels that due to the aforementioned matters he has departed from a state of moderation, and his ability to investigate and research has been affected, then he should refrain from issuing a fatwa. Even so, if he does issue a fatwa in such states, his fatwa is valid. But if he makes a judgment in such a state, will his judgment be executed or not? Regarding this, there are three opinions in the madhhab of Imam Ahmad: the first is that it will be executed; the second is that it will not be executed; the third is that if the anger occurs after understanding the issue, then it will be executed, but if the anger occurs before understanding the issue, then it will not be executed. (See: al-Rawdah al-Nadiyyah 3/233)
Explanation & Benefits
Maulana Ataullah Sajid
Benefits and Issues:
➊ In a state of anger, a person’s mental condition is not sound, and due to emotions, it is not possible to consider all aspects of matters; therefore, there is a risk that a decision given in this state will not be correct.
➋ The Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) was protected from giving an incorrect judgment due to emotions or anger; therefore, the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) was expressing displeasure. See: (Sahih al-Bukhari, Al-Ahkam, Chapter: Should a judge give a verdict or a fatwa while angry? Hadith: 7159)
➊ In a state of anger, a person’s mental condition is not sound, and due to emotions, it is not possible to consider all aspects of matters; therefore, there is a risk that a decision given in this state will not be correct.
➋ The Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) was protected from giving an incorrect judgment due to emotions or anger; therefore, the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) was expressing displeasure. See: (Sahih al-Bukhari, Al-Ahkam, Chapter: Should a judge give a verdict or a fatwa while angry? Hadith: 7159)
Source: Commentary on Sunan Ibn Mājah by Mawlānā ‘Atā’ullāh Sājid, Page: 2316
Maulana Dawood Raz
Hadith Commentary:
There is a great admonition here for judges: in a state of anger, a person's senses and awareness become altered, therefore, one should not issue a judgment in such a condition.
There is a great admonition here for judges: in a state of anger, a person's senses and awareness become altered, therefore, one should not issue a judgment in such a condition.
Source: Sahih Bukhari: Commentary by Maulana Dawood Raz, Page: 7158
Shaykh Abdul Sattar al-Hammad
Hadith Commentary:
➊
It is prohibited to issue a judgment or a fatwa in a state of anger because anger causes a change in one’s disposition and the senses do not function fully, whereas it is necessary for a person to be composed in every respect when making a decision. There is a possibility of error in a state of anger; therefore, the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) forbade making decisions in such a state. Every condition that brings about a similar change in disposition, which affects one’s deliberation—such as: overwhelming hunger, extreme drowsiness, or illness, etc.—falls under the same ruling as anger. However, if someone makes a correct decision while in a state of anger, it will be valid and enforceable.
➋
The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) is exempt from this ruling because he would always judge according to the truth in every circumstance. For example, when Zubair ibn al-Awwam (radi Allahu anhu) had a dispute with an Ansari regarding the turn for water, the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) gave a judgment in favor of Zubair ibn al-Awwam (radi Allahu anhu) while in a state of anger. The clarification of this will come in the following hadith.
➊
It is prohibited to issue a judgment or a fatwa in a state of anger because anger causes a change in one’s disposition and the senses do not function fully, whereas it is necessary for a person to be composed in every respect when making a decision. There is a possibility of error in a state of anger; therefore, the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) forbade making decisions in such a state. Every condition that brings about a similar change in disposition, which affects one’s deliberation—such as: overwhelming hunger, extreme drowsiness, or illness, etc.—falls under the same ruling as anger. However, if someone makes a correct decision while in a state of anger, it will be valid and enforceable.
➋
The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) is exempt from this ruling because he would always judge according to the truth in every circumstance. For example, when Zubair ibn al-Awwam (radi Allahu anhu) had a dispute with an Ansari regarding the turn for water, the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) gave a judgment in favor of Zubair ibn al-Awwam (radi Allahu anhu) while in a state of anger. The clarification of this will come in the following hadith.
Source: Hidayat al-Qari: Commentary on Sahih Bukhari, Urdu, Page: 7158
Shaykh Dr. Abdur Rahman Freywai
Explanation:
1:
This is because, in a state of anger, it is not possible to properly reflect upon the statements of both parties.
By analogy, it is not appropriate to make a judgment in any condition that causes disturbance in a person's mind, because in a state of mental agitation, it becomes difficult to reach a correct decision.
1:
This is because, in a state of anger, it is not possible to properly reflect upon the statements of both parties.
By analogy, it is not appropriate to make a judgment in any condition that causes disturbance in a person's mind, because in a state of mental agitation, it becomes difficult to reach a correct decision.
Source: Sunan al-Tirmidhi – Majlis ‘Ilmi Dar al-Da‘wah, New Delhi Edition, Page: 1334
Shaykh Umar Farooq Saeedi
Benefits and Issues:
Benefit: In a state of anger, a person generally exceeds the limits of moderation.
Therefore, in such a condition, it is quite possible that a decision may be contrary to justice, so it is necessary to avoid this.
Extreme grief.
Intense anxiety.
Pain due to some illness.
And pain and similar conditions in which concentration is affected will be analogized to anger.
Benefit: In a state of anger, a person generally exceeds the limits of moderation.
Therefore, in such a condition, it is quite possible that a decision may be contrary to justice, so it is necessary to avoid this.
Extreme grief.
Intense anxiety.
Pain due to some illness.
And pain and similar conditions in which concentration is affected will be analogized to anger.
Source: Sunan Abu Dawood – Commentary by Shaykh Umar Farooq Saeedi, Page: 3589
Hafiz Muhammad Ameen
Commentary:
No one other than the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) has the right to make a judgment while in a state of anger. The anger due to which rulers, judges, and others in authority are prohibited from making decisions refers to intense anger that temporarily removes the ability to think and understand, thereby posing a risk of an incorrect judgment. However, minor anger that naturally arises upon hearing the crime of a criminal does not prevent one from making a decision. Besides anger, anything else that affects the ability to think and understand—such as extreme hunger, thirst, distress, illness, or overwhelming sleep—falls under the same ruling as anger. It is better that the judgment be written in a gathering separate from the hearing of the case, so that temporary emotions do not influence the decision.
No one other than the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) has the right to make a judgment while in a state of anger. The anger due to which rulers, judges, and others in authority are prohibited from making decisions refers to intense anger that temporarily removes the ability to think and understand, thereby posing a risk of an incorrect judgment. However, minor anger that naturally arises upon hearing the crime of a criminal does not prevent one from making a decision. Besides anger, anything else that affects the ability to think and understand—such as extreme hunger, thirst, distress, illness, or overwhelming sleep—falls under the same ruling as anger. It is better that the judgment be written in a gathering separate from the hearing of the case, so that temporary emotions do not influence the decision.
Source: Sunan Nasa'i: Translation and Benefits by Shaykh Hafiz Muhammad Amin Hafizullah, Page: 5408
Shaykh Muhammad Ibrahim bin Basheer
Benefit:
From this it is understood that a judge should not issue a verdict while in a state of anger.
From this it is understood that a judge should not issue a verdict while in a state of anger.
Source: Musnad al-Humaydi: Commentary by Muhammad Ibrahim bin Bashir, Page: 810
