Mukhtasar Muslim

Sayyiduna Talhah bin Ubaidullah (may Allah be pleased with him) says: I passed by some people with the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) who were near date-palm trees. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) asked, "What are these people doing?" The people replied, "They are grafting, that is, they place the male with the female so that it becomes fruitful (i.e., bears more fruit)." The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, "I do not think there is any benefit in this." When this news reached those people, they stopped grafting. Afterwards, when the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) was informed of this, he said, "If there is benefit for them in it, then let them do it. I had only expressed an opinion, so do not take my opinion. But when I state a command from Allah Almighty, then act upon it, for I do not lie against Allah Almighty."