Muslim

Hadith Commentary:
Vocabulary of the Hadith:
(1)
Ya’baroon (verb-form)
And yu’biroon:
They would place the male pollen onto the female (date palm).
(2)
The meaning of talaqeeh is the same.
(3)
Nafadat:
The fruit fell off.

Benefits and Issues:
From the hadith narrated by Talhah radi Allahu anhu, it is understood that the people of Madinah, at the time of the arrival of the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, used to insert the pollen of the male date palm into the spadix of the female date palm, and from the narration of Rafi’ bin Khadij radi Allahu anhu, it is understood that this was their constant practice and based on experience. However, since the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam did not have experience in this matter, he thought, “What benefit does this have?” Upon hearing this, the Companions abandoned this practice. When the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam came to know of this, he said, “If this is beneficial according to experience, then they should continue this work. I did not give any command regarding this; I merely expressed a thought. It is not necessary to adhere to my conjecture.” From this, it is understood that he did not give any command or make any decision; regarding a matter related to experience, he merely expressed his opinion or conjecture. Therefore, to deduce from this hadith that it is not necessary to follow the Prophet’s sallallahu alayhi wa sallam command in worldly matters and affairs is mere obstinacy, which has no basis in reality, because it is necessary to follow every command and decision of the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, and here he did not give a command, rather he said, “If this work is beneficial, then continue it. I merely expressed a thought, which you are not bound to follow.” In this way, he himself granted permission.

Takhrij al-Hadith:
[صحيح مسلم 6127]

Fiqh al-Hadith:
➊ The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) is not the Knower of the Unseen (‘Alim al-Ghayb); only Allah is the Knower of the Unseen, and this is His exclusive attribute.
➋ Obedience to the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) is obligatory in religion; thus, it is established that hadith is a binding proof.
➌ In the Muslim Ummah, whether it is the greatest scholar or a mujtahid, it is not necessary to act upon every opinion and every ijtihad of his.
➍ Blind following (taqlid) is not permissible.
➎ Not knowing some worldly sciences is not contrary to high status.
➏ In worldly matters, people have discretion to act as they wish, provided their action does not contradict any religious ruling.
➐ It is narrated from Sayyidah Aisha and Sayyiduna Anas (radi Allahu anhuma) that the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said:
«أنتم أعلم بأمر دنياكم»
“You are more knowledgeable about your worldly affairs.” [صحيح مسلم : 2363، دارالسلام : 6128]
➑ Error can occur in ijtihad; therefore, obedience to any mujtahid is not obligatory.
➒ Despite being a light of guidance, the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) is human.
➓ The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) is not present and witnessing (hazir wa nazir); otherwise, what would be the meaning of his coming to Madinah?