Muslim

Hadith Commentary: Benefits and Issues:

Hazrat Umar bin Abi Salamah radi Allahu anhu said: "O Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, if you engage in kissing and caressing, it is permissible for you, because Allah Ta'ala has forgiven your past and future sins."

The word "dhanb" (sin) here is worthy of consideration. Because its application ranges from an act that is beneath someone's status or contrary to what is best, to the gravest of crimes and sins. Therefore, the scholars of tafsir and hadith have explained its various meanings.

According to Allamah Alusi, here "sin" does not mean an actual sin, but "dhanb" refers to those actions which the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam considered beneath his own noble status. And according to Allamah Abu Mas'ud, sometimes the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, for the sake of teaching and legislation, would leave off what was best and most virtuous, so that Muslims would know that leaving such actions is also permissible. Or sometimes, he would prohibit something and then do it himself, so that it would be clear that the action is only mildly disliked (makruh tanzihi), not forbidden (haram). The Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam would even consider such things as "dhanb" (sin). And according to Allamah 'Ayni, this is related to the saying: "The good deeds of the righteous are considered shortcomings for those nearest to Allah" (hasanatu al-abrar sayyi'atu al-muqarrabin). And according to Allamah 'Izz al-Din, all the Prophets alayhimussalam are "forgiven" (maghfur lahum), but their forgiveness was not announced in this world as it was for you. For this reason, on the Day of Gathering, even the resolute Messengers (ulu al-'azm) will excuse themselves from the Greatest Intercession (shafa'ah kubra) by saying "myself, myself," while you will intercede with complete peace of mind, without any worry, anxiety, or hesitation. And according to Taj al-Din Subki, this was said as an honor for you. Qadi Sulaiman Mansurpuri, in Rahmatul-lil-Alamin, vol. 3, under Special Quality 12, has explained in detail that here "dhanb" means "blame," as in the Qur'an, the statement of Musa alayhis salam is quoted:

(وَلَهُمْ عَلَيَّ ذَنبٌ فَأَخَافُ أَن يَقْتُلُونِ)
"They have a blame against me, so I fear they will kill me."

Therefore, I fear that they will kill me. But if we consider the context of various ahadith, it becomes clear that the noble Companions radi Allahu anhum understood that if the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam did something contrary to what is best or apparently inappropriate, there was no harm in it. For example, in Sahih Bukhari, there is a hadith from Hazrat Aisha radi Allahu anha:

The Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam would command the Companions radi Allahu anhum to do such deeds that did not involve much hardship or difficulty, so they would say: (إِنَّا لَسْنَا كَهَيْئَتِكَ) "We are not like you," because your past and future "sins" have been forgiven. (Therefore, for you, easier and less worship is sufficient.)

At this, signs of displeasure would appear on the Prophet's face, and he would say: "I am the one who observes Allah's limits the most among you, and I have the most knowledge of Him, so my actions should be the best and most excellent." Similarly, in the aforementioned narration of Umar bin Abi Salamah radi Allahu anhu, it is said that if you engage in kissing and caressing, there is no harm, because your past and future "sins" (i.e., actions contrary to what is best and beneath your noble status) have been forgiven.

Likewise, ahead comes the narration of Hazrat Aisha radi Allahu anha, that a man asked the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam: "Sometimes I am in a state of major ritual impurity (janabah) at the time of prayer; can I fast?" The Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam replied: "I fast in such a state." So the man said: (لَسْتَ مِثْلَنَا) "You are not like us," because:

﴿لِّيَغْفِرَ لَكَ اللَّهُ مَا تَقَدَّمَ مِن ذَنبِكَ وَمَا تَأَخَّرَ﴾
"That Allah may forgive you your past and future 'sin'."

So the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said: "I am the one who fears Allah the most among you, and I know best what I must avoid." Thus, that Companion considered being in a state of major ritual impurity (janabah) as not suitable for fasting, but for the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, he considered it permissible.

Similarly, there is a hadith agreed upon by both (Bukhari and Muslim), that sometimes the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam would stand in prayer for so long that his blessed feet would swell. He was asked: "Why do you subject yourself to such hardship, when:

﴿لِّيَغْفِرَ لَكَ اللَّهُ مَا تَقَدَّمَ مِن ذَنبِكَ وَمَا تَأَخَّرَ﴾
'That Allah may forgive you your past and future 'sin'?'"

He replied: (أفَلا أكُونُ عَبْدًا شَكُورًا)
"Should I not be a grateful servant for this honor?"

In summary, the meaning of "dhanb" here is: actions contrary to what is best, beneath your noble status, or leaving what is better for something permissible, which in itself is not a sin nor an evil deed, but is less than your highest and most excellent status.