Author: Dr. Muhammad Zia-ur-Rahman A‘zami (رحمه الله)
This hadith is well-known and reliable. There is no objection regarding its authenticity. It has been narrated by Imam Ahmad and the authors of the Sunan.
[Sunan Abi Dawud, Hadith No. 3571]
However, this hadith does not prohibit becoming a judge. Rather, it serves as a serious warning, emphasizing the great responsibility that comes with the office of judgment and the need for vigilance to avoid its potential dangers and consequences.
Slaughtering without a knife causes:
This is used as a metaphor for the judge’s situation—he may suffer great strain and hardship due to his position. However, with patience and seriousness, these hardships can be overcome.
The judge feels this burden more when he lacks proper knowledge, or cannot discern the truth, or becomes heedless in seeking Allah’s help.
Let it not be hidden from you that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ was:
All in one complete personality.
Therefore, judges, scholars, and preachers should take inspiration from his patience and forbearance. On some occasions, even the Prophet ﷺ became angered due to the insistence or harshness of disputants, although he was:
Nonetheless, a judge should strive to imitate the patience of the Prophet ﷺ and adopt its means, hoping that Allah grants him the ability to follow that path.
Everyone experiences some level of fatigue and hardship in life. But for a judge:
…the lesser his distress will be.
[Ibn Baz: Majmu‘ al-Fatawa wa al-Maqalat: 23/209]
❖ Authenticity of the Hadith: “Whoever is Appointed as a Judge is Slaughtered Without a Knife”
This hadith is well-known and reliable. There is no objection regarding its authenticity. It has been narrated by Imam Ahmad and the authors of the Sunan.
[Sunan Abi Dawud, Hadith No. 3571]
However, this hadith does not prohibit becoming a judge. Rather, it serves as a serious warning, emphasizing the great responsibility that comes with the office of judgment and the need for vigilance to avoid its potential dangers and consequences.
❖ Understanding the Metaphor: Slaughter Without a Knife
Slaughtering without a knife causes:
- Prolonged pain, and
- Delayed death,
This is used as a metaphor for the judge’s situation—he may suffer great strain and hardship due to his position. However, with patience and seriousness, these hardships can be overcome.
The judge feels this burden more when he lacks proper knowledge, or cannot discern the truth, or becomes heedless in seeking Allah’s help.
❖ The Example of the Prophet ﷺ
Let it not be hidden from you that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ was:
- A judge,
- A teacher,
- A caller to truth,
- A commander of good,
All in one complete personality.
Therefore, judges, scholars, and preachers should take inspiration from his patience and forbearance. On some occasions, even the Prophet ﷺ became angered due to the insistence or harshness of disputants, although he was:
- The leader of the Ummah, and
- The Imam of the humble and oppressed.
Nonetheless, a judge should strive to imitate the patience of the Prophet ﷺ and adopt its means, hoping that Allah grants him the ability to follow that path.
Conclusion: The Role of Knowledge, Patience, and Supplication
Everyone experiences some level of fatigue and hardship in life. But for a judge:
- The greater his knowledge,
- The stronger his patience,
- The more frequent his supplication for guidance and success,
- The more forbearing (ḥalīm) he is,
…the lesser his distress will be.
[Ibn Baz: Majmu‘ al-Fatawa wa al-Maqalat: 23/209]
