Investigation of the Narration Regarding Permission from Shepherds and Orchard Owners
Source: Fatāwā Ameenpuri by Shaykh Ghulam Mustafa Zaheer Ameenpuri
❖ Question:
What is the status of the following narration?
❖ Answer:
Narration from Abu Saʿīd al-Khudrī رضي الله عنه:
رسول اللہ صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم نے فرمایا:
إذا أتيت على راع، فناده ثلاث مرار، فإن أجابك، وإلا فاشرب فى غير أن تفسد، وإذا أتيت على حائط بستان، فناد صاحب البستان ثلاث مرات، فإن أجابك، وإلا فكل فى أن لا تفسد
“When you come across a shepherd, call him three times. If he responds, then fine; otherwise, you may drink (milk) but do not cause any harm. Similarly, when you pass by an orchard, call the owner three times. If he responds, then fine; otherwise, you may eat according to your need, but do not cause any damage.”
(Sunan Ibn Mājah: 2300)
Ruling on Chain:This narration is weak.
- Saʿīd ibn Iyas al-Jarīrī experienced ikhtilāṭ (confusion in old age).
- Yazīd ibn Hārūn narrated from him after his ikhtilāṭ.
Imam al-Bayhaqī رحمه الله said:
سماع يزيد بن هارون عنه بعد اختلاطه
“Yazīd ibn Hārūn’s hearing from him was after his ikhtilāṭ.”
(Al-Sunan al-Kubrā: 9/604)
Imam al-Būṣayrī رحمه الله said:
هذا إسناد ضعيف
“This chain is weak.”
(Miṣbāḥ al-Zujājah: 3/38)
Narration from Samurah ibn Jundub رضي الله عنه:
رسول اللہ صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم نے فرمایا:
إذا أتى أحدكم على ماشية فإن كان فيها صاحبها فليستأذنه، فإن أذن له فليحتلب وليشرب، فإن لم يكن فيها فليصوت ثلاثا، فإن أجابه فليستأذنه وإلا فليحتلب وليشرب ولا يحمل
“When one of you comes upon a flock, and its owner is present, he should seek his permission. If he grants permission, then let him milk and drink. If the owner is not present, let him call out three times; if the owner answers, then let him seek his permission. Otherwise, let him milk and drink, but not carry anything away.”
(Sunan Abī Dāwūd: 2619, Sunan al-Tirmidhī: 1296)
Ruling on Chain:This narration is weak and munkar due to several issues:
- Qatādah is a mudallis and has not declared hearing.
- Ḥasan al-Baṣrī narrated with ʿanʿanah.
- Saʿīd ibn Bashīr al-Azdī is weak, and his narrations from Qatādah are munkar.
Imam Ibn Numayr رحمه الله said:
يروي عن قتادة المنكرات
“He narrates munkar reports from Qatādah.”
(Al-Jarḥ wa al-Taʿdīl by Ibn Abī Ḥātim: 4/7, chain authentic)
Imam Ibn Ḥibbān رحمه الله said:
كان رديء الحفظ فاحش الخطأ يروي عن قتادة ما لا يتابع عليه
“His memory was poor, he made excessive mistakes, and narrated from Qatādah reports that no one followed him upon.”
(Kitāb al-Majrūḥīn: 1/319)
Conclusion:Both narrations — whether from Abu Saʿīd al-Khudrī رضي الله عنه or from Samurah ibn Jundub رضي الله عنه — are weak and not reliable for establishing rulings.
