Author: Khadim Hussain Pardesi
Why get entangled in matters of doubt when one can avoid them by staying away from things that are blemish-free? Shariah commands every Muslim to perform as many good deeds as possible and to keep themselves safe from the pollution of sins. However, there are certain matters that, although free from the restrictions of halal and haram, fall under the category of doubt. Avoiding these matters is preferable for a Muslim because indulging in them may lead one astray from the path of righteousness into the valley of sins.
In our society, some people are often caught in dilemmas about whether or not to engage in certain actions. If they were to completely avoid such actions and free themselves from this ambiguity, it would be better for the safety of their faith and religion. For example, a person accustomed to staying awake at night for no reason might not commit sins initially, but over time, their continuous nighttime activity might lead them towards sinful behavior. Therefore, it is better for them to work hard during the day and rest at night, as the night was created for rest. It is commonly observed that those who sleep late at night often miss the morning prayer in congregation, and some unfortunate ones even sleep through the prayer until after sunrise.
A related incident involves a boy who came home very late and went to sleep. In the morning, when his father was going for prayer, he tried to wake him up. The boy turned over and went back to sleep. When the father returned from the mosque after prayers, the sun had risen, and the boy was still sleeping soundly. The father, in anger, said, "Get up, the sun has risen." The boy replied, "Father, if the sun rises at midnight, what fault is it of mine?" To this unfortunate boy, it was still midnight. Parents should try to ensure their children go to bed early after the Isha prayer.
Similarly, some people have the habit of staying idle despite being in good health. They should spend their free time in some useful work for their religion or worldly matters, lest their idleness lead them towards sin. The blessed Hadiths emphasize avoiding doubtful matters.
❀ Sayyiduna Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) saw a date in the way and said:"Had I not feared that it might be from charity, I would have eaten it."[Bukhari: 2431, Muslim: 1071]
Everyone knows that it is forbidden for the Prophet (peace be upon him) and his family to consume charity. If a person feels doubt in an action and fears that people might find out about it, it is necessary for every Muslim to stay away from such actions. An action that creates hesitation in the heart and fear of people knowing about it is considered sinful.
◈ Imam Muslim (may Allah have mercy on him) narrates from Sayyiduna Nawas bin Sam'an (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) said:"Righteousness is good character, and sin is what creates doubt in your heart and you do not like people to know about it."[Sahih Muslim: 2553]
Allah has bestowed countless blessings upon humans that are free from doubt, so why should one abandon these blemish-free blessings and get entangled in matters of doubt?
◈ Imam Tirmidhi (may Allah have mercy on him) narrates from Sayyiduna Hasan (may Allah be pleased with him) that he said:"I memorized from the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him): 'Leave what causes you doubt for what does not cause you doubt.'”[Sunan al-Tirmidhi: 2518; he said: 'This is a sound Hadith.' Its chain is authentic, and it has been authenticated by Ibn Khuzaymah: 2348, Ibn Hibban: 512, and al-Hakim 13/2, with al-Dhahabi agreeing.]
If a person accidentally consumes something forbidden without being informed beforehand, it is better for them not to let their body be nourished by that forbidden thing and to expel it from their body.
◈ Imam Bukhari (may Allah have mercy on him) narrates from Sayyida Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) that Sayyiduna Abu Bakr al-Siddiq (may Allah be pleased with him) had a servant who used to bring him income from his labor. Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) would eat from it. One day the servant brought him something, and Abu Bakr ate from it. The servant asked, 'Do you know what you have eaten?' Abu Bakr replied, 'What did you make me eat?' The servant said, 'I deceived someone in the times of ignorance by pretending to tell fortunes, even though I was not a fortune-teller. I tricked him, and today he met me and gave me something for that act.' Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) put his hand in his mouth and vomited all that was in his stomach."[Sahih Bukhari: 3842]
May Allah protect all Muslims from forbidden matters and grant them the ability to avoid doubtful matters. Ameen, O Lord of the Worlds.
Why get entangled in matters of doubt when one can avoid them by staying away from things that are blemish-free? Shariah commands every Muslim to perform as many good deeds as possible and to keep themselves safe from the pollution of sins. However, there are certain matters that, although free from the restrictions of halal and haram, fall under the category of doubt. Avoiding these matters is preferable for a Muslim because indulging in them may lead one astray from the path of righteousness into the valley of sins.
In our society, some people are often caught in dilemmas about whether or not to engage in certain actions. If they were to completely avoid such actions and free themselves from this ambiguity, it would be better for the safety of their faith and religion. For example, a person accustomed to staying awake at night for no reason might not commit sins initially, but over time, their continuous nighttime activity might lead them towards sinful behavior. Therefore, it is better for them to work hard during the day and rest at night, as the night was created for rest. It is commonly observed that those who sleep late at night often miss the morning prayer in congregation, and some unfortunate ones even sleep through the prayer until after sunrise.
A related incident involves a boy who came home very late and went to sleep. In the morning, when his father was going for prayer, he tried to wake him up. The boy turned over and went back to sleep. When the father returned from the mosque after prayers, the sun had risen, and the boy was still sleeping soundly. The father, in anger, said, "Get up, the sun has risen." The boy replied, "Father, if the sun rises at midnight, what fault is it of mine?" To this unfortunate boy, it was still midnight. Parents should try to ensure their children go to bed early after the Isha prayer.
Similarly, some people have the habit of staying idle despite being in good health. They should spend their free time in some useful work for their religion or worldly matters, lest their idleness lead them towards sin. The blessed Hadiths emphasize avoiding doubtful matters.
❀ Sayyiduna Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) saw a date in the way and said:"Had I not feared that it might be from charity, I would have eaten it."[Bukhari: 2431, Muslim: 1071]
Everyone knows that it is forbidden for the Prophet (peace be upon him) and his family to consume charity. If a person feels doubt in an action and fears that people might find out about it, it is necessary for every Muslim to stay away from such actions. An action that creates hesitation in the heart and fear of people knowing about it is considered sinful.
◈ Imam Muslim (may Allah have mercy on him) narrates from Sayyiduna Nawas bin Sam'an (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) said:"Righteousness is good character, and sin is what creates doubt in your heart and you do not like people to know about it."[Sahih Muslim: 2553]
Allah has bestowed countless blessings upon humans that are free from doubt, so why should one abandon these blemish-free blessings and get entangled in matters of doubt?
◈ Imam Tirmidhi (may Allah have mercy on him) narrates from Sayyiduna Hasan (may Allah be pleased with him) that he said:"I memorized from the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him): 'Leave what causes you doubt for what does not cause you doubt.'”[Sunan al-Tirmidhi: 2518; he said: 'This is a sound Hadith.' Its chain is authentic, and it has been authenticated by Ibn Khuzaymah: 2348, Ibn Hibban: 512, and al-Hakim 13/2, with al-Dhahabi agreeing.]
If a person accidentally consumes something forbidden without being informed beforehand, it is better for them not to let their body be nourished by that forbidden thing and to expel it from their body.
◈ Imam Bukhari (may Allah have mercy on him) narrates from Sayyida Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) that Sayyiduna Abu Bakr al-Siddiq (may Allah be pleased with him) had a servant who used to bring him income from his labor. Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) would eat from it. One day the servant brought him something, and Abu Bakr ate from it. The servant asked, 'Do you know what you have eaten?' Abu Bakr replied, 'What did you make me eat?' The servant said, 'I deceived someone in the times of ignorance by pretending to tell fortunes, even though I was not a fortune-teller. I tricked him, and today he met me and gave me something for that act.' Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) put his hand in his mouth and vomited all that was in his stomach."[Sahih Bukhari: 3842]
May Allah protect all Muslims from forbidden matters and grant them the ability to avoid doubtful matters. Ameen, O Lord of the Worlds.