Tirmidhi

Hadith Commentary:
In this hadith, where the drawing of lots (qur‘ah) is mentioned for obtaining a place in the boat, the intended subject of the chapter is established from this. Thus, this hadith contains many benefits. In particular, it sheds light on why enjoining good and forbidding evil is necessary. The example given is that the world is like a boat, in which the mistake of one individual among its passengers—if it pertains to the boat—can drown all the people aboard.

The same theme is expressed in the Noble Qur’an in this way:
“And fear a trial which will not strike those who have wronged among you exclusively.” (Al-Anfal: 25)
That is, strive to avoid tribulation, for if it occurs, it will not afflict only the wrongdoers among you, but along with them, many innocent people will also be caught up in it.

As in this hadith, by way of example, the lower-deck passengers are mentioned: if the upper-deck passengers do not prevent the lower-deck passengers from boring a hole in the bottom of the boat, the result will be that the lower part will fill with water, and both the lower and upper passengers will drown.

The statement of Allah, the Exalted, is:
“And let there be [arising] from you a nation inviting to [all that is] good, enjoining what is right and forbidding what is wrong.” (Al ‘Imran: 105)
That is, O Muslims! There should be a group among you who continually enjoin good and forbid evil.

Based on this verse, it is obligatory upon all Muslims to appoint a specific group for enjoining good (amr bil-ma‘ruf) and forbidding evil (nahi ‘anil-munkar). All praise is due to Allah, in the government of Saudi Arabia, this department has been established under this very name, and its branches are spread throughout the kingdom, fulfilling this obligation. There is a need that, collectively, Muslims everywhere should establish such institutions and work for the welfare and betterment of the public.

In summary, drawing lots (qur‘ah) for distribution is an excellent method in which none of the participants can object.

‘Allamah Qastallani (rahimahullah) says:
“And the correspondence of the hadith to the chapter is not hidden. In it is the obligation to be patient with the harm of a neighbor if there is fear of something more harmful occurring, and that the owner of the lower part (of the property) does not have the right to do anything that harms the owner of the upper part, and if he does cause harm, he is obliged to rectify it. The owner of the upper part has the right to prevent him from causing harm. In it is also the permissibility of dividing unequal property by drawing lots. Ibn Battal said:
The scholars are unanimous on the permissibility of drawing lots, except the Kufans, for they say there is no meaning in it, as it resembles the azlam (arrows for divination) which Allah has prohibited.” (Qastallani)

The correspondence of the hadith to the chapter is evident, and from it, the obligation of patience upon the harm of a neighbor is established, especially when impatience may lead to an even greater calamity. It is also established that it is not permissible for the lower occupant to do anything that harms the upper occupant. If he does so, it is obligatory for him to rectify it, and the upper occupant has the right to prevent him from such harmful acts. The division of various goods and items by drawing lots is also established.

Ibn Battal said that the scholars are in agreement on the permissibility of drawing lots, except for the people of Kufa. They say that drawing lots is similar to the arrows (azlam) which the disbelievers of Makkah used for divination, and thus it is not permissible, because Allah, the Exalted, has prohibited azlam.

The translator says: The analogy of the people of Kufa is invalid. There is a great difference between azlam and drawing lots (qur‘ah), and when the legitimacy of drawing lots is established by authentic hadith, likening it to azlam is not correct.

Hadith Commentary:
(1)
If several people have equal rights in a shared item and it is difficult or impossible to decide the division of rights among them, then drawing lots (qur‘ah) can be done. For example, when the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) set out on a journey or for battle, he would draw lots among the noble wives to determine which respected wife would accompany him on the journey.

(2)
Imam Bukhari (rahimahullah) has presented this hadith as evidence for the permissibility of determining shares by drawing lots (qur‘ah). Undoubtedly, drawing lots is a religious method for distributing rights, although some people oppose it. They make an analogy between drawing lots and dividing by means of dice, which is prohibited in the Qur’an (). There is a great difference between drawing lots and trying one’s luck with arrows, because the legitimacy of drawing lots is established by authentic ahadith, so likening it to the use of arrows is not correct.

(3)
It should be clear that committing a sin and calmly (with ease and pleasure) tolerating the witnessing of a sin are equal in terms of criminality, and both are causes of destruction and ruin.

Hadith Commentary:
From this, the legitimacy of drawing lots (qur‘ah) is established.
The very purpose of the Imam bringing this hadith here is this, and from it, the strong emphasis on enjoining good (amr bil-ma‘ruf) and forbidding evil (nahy ‘an al-munkar) is also evident—that it is necessary to prevent evil, otherwise its consequences may engulf everyone.
If one has the ability, then evil should be stopped by hand; if not, then one should try to stop it with the tongue.
If even this is not possible, then one should harbor intense hatred for it in the heart, and this is the lowest level of faith (iman).
All praise is due to Allah, in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia it has been observed that the Department of Enjoining Good and Forbidding Evil (mawqif amr bil-ma‘ruf wa nahy ‘an al-munkar) is established at the governmental level, and its branches are spread throughout the entire kingdom, fulfilling their duties. May Allah, the Exalted, grant the Muslims everywhere the ability to collectively perform this highest service to humanity in the same way, and make the welfare and betterment of mankind an essential part of their lives.
Amin, ya Rabb al-‘alamin.

Hadith Commentary:
From this hadith, the legitimacy of drawing lots (qur‘ah) is established, as the boat which they had rented or which belonged to all of them was jointly owned by all in equal shares.
Through drawing lots, the determination of their respective shares was made, regarding which there was a risk of dispute and disagreement among them.
In such matters, drawing lots is permissible when all parties have equal rights.

Benefit:
In this hadith, it is explained by way of example that due to the sin of one person, an entire city or even an entire country can be destroyed. The sinner should not be left to his own devices; rather, his action should be thoroughly condemned. Remaining silent upon witnessing a sin is itself a sin. May Allah grant us understanding.