The Linguistic Root of “Faqabaḍa” and Clarification of a Printing Error in
Source: Fatāwā Shaykh al-Ḥadīth Mubārakpūrī, Vol. 1, Pg. 182
❖ Question
Clarification is sought regarding the statement “faqabaḍa” found under the chapter “Washing Clothes in the State of Impurity” in the ḥadīth narrated from ʿĀ’ishah (رضي الله عنها).
❖ Explanation of the Ḥadīth
The author of ʿAwn al-Maʿbūd in his commentary on the ḥadīth of Umm Juhdar al-ʿĀmiriyyah from ʿĀ’ishah (رضي الله عنها), under the phrase “faqabaḍa”, wrote: “min samiʿa” (2/49–50).
However, the questioner objected, stating that the explanation “min samiʿa” appears incorrect, because “faqabaḍa” derives from the bāb ḍaraba, not from bāb samiʿa. As also mentioned in the Qur’an:
"وَاللّٰهُ يَقْبِضُ وَيَبْسُطُ"
"يَقْبِضُهُنَّ إِلَّا الرَّحْمَٰنُ"
And this meaning is confirmed in the books of Arabic lexicon.
Thus, the question is raised regarding the accuracy of the phrase “min samiʿa” in this passage and what the correct view is.
❖ Answer
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu was-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, ammā baʿd:
- It appears that the phrase “min samiʿa” is in fact a scribal or printing error, and the correct phrase should be “min ḍaraba”.
- This is because “qabaḍa” indeed comes from the bāb ḍaraba, and it is not far-fetched that such an error could occur in printing.
- In reality, it is rare to find any book in this world completely free of typographical mistakes, no matter how carefully proofread and edited.
Often, such printing errors are glaring, unusual, and obvious, yet still escape detection despite repeated reviews. It should also be noted that the mentioned book (ʿAwn al-Maʿbūd) contains several other typographical mistakes as well. If compiled, they would form a notable list of initial errors—though it must be acknowledged that the publishers and editors expended their utmost effort in its printing and correction.
(Muḥaddith Dehlī, Vol. 1, Issue 3, 8 Jumādā al-Ākhirah 1361H / July 1942)
ھذا ما عندي والله أعلم بالصواب
