Muwatta Malik (Qasim)

Hadith Authentication:
[وأخرجه البخاري 2680، من حديث مالك، ومسلم 4 / 1713، من حديث هشام بن عروة به]

Jurisprudential Points:
➊ Allah, the Exalted, sent the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) as a human being, rather, as the best of mankind, along with the light of guidance and as the leader of the children of Adam.
➋ The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) was not the knower of the unseen (al-ghayb).
➌ All disputes should be decided in the light of the Book (Qur’an), the Sunnah, and consensus (ijma‘).
➍ The judge’s (qadi’s) decision depends on the testimony of witnesses; this is why there is a severe warning regarding false testimony.
➎ Usurping the right of a Muslim brother is a major sin; rather, even usurping the rights of disbelievers is not permissible, as is established by other general evidences.
➏ Hafiz Ibn ‘Abd al-Barr (rahimahullah) has deduced from this hadith that humans do not know the unseen... and the Prophets only knew from the unseen that which was taught to them through revelation (wahy). See: [التمهيد 22 / 216]
➐ Legal rulings are applied based on outward appearances, unless there is a clear and explicit evidence for specification.
➑ Some people, due to their eloquence, sometimes succeed in getting a false claim accepted, but despite this temporary success, they remain criminals in the sight of Allah.
➒ The judge’s decision is outwardly enforced; however, his decision does not change the reality of the matter, and the usurper does not become the owner.
➓ Ijtihad (independent legal reasoning) is permissible. For further jurisprudential points and benefits, see: [التمهيد 22 / 222]

Note:
Many other benefits are also derived from this hadith, for example, one should avoid doubtful and unlawful matters. Unlawful and doubtful wealth should not be used. Only lawful (halal) sustenance should be consumed. The judge’s decision does not change the reality; something unlawful does not become lawful by his decision.