Complete Explanation of the Ḥadīth of Abū Hurayrah (RA) Regarding Two Types of Knowledge
Source: Qur’an and Hadith Based Rulings and Issues, Vol. 01, p. 547
The Ḥadīth Text
{عَنْ أَبِیْ ہُرَیْرَۃَ سوال قَالَ حَفِظْتُ مِنْ رَّسُوْلِ اﷲِ صلی الله علیہ وسلم وِعَآئَیْنِ فَاَمَّا اَحَدُہُمَا فَبَثَثْتُہُ فِیْکُمْ وَاَمَّا الْاٰخَرُ فَلَوْ بَثَثْتُہٗ قُطِعَ ہٰذَا الْبُلْعُوْمُ یَعْنِیْ مَجْرَی الطَّعَامِ}
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Vol. 1, Kitāb al-ʿIlm, Bāb Ḥifẓ al-ʿIlm, Ḥadīth no. 125)
Translation
Abū Hurayrah (RA) reported:
“I memorized two vessels of knowledge from the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. One of them I have spread among you, but if I were to spread the other, this throat would be cut,” i.e., the passage through which food passes.
Explanation of “وَأَمَّا الْاٰخَرُ فَلَوْ بَثَثْتُہُ قُطِعَ”
✿ This refers to the type of knowledge that Abū Hurayrah (RA) heard from the Messenger of Allah ﷺ regarding the faults, flaws, and weaknesses of the rulers to come.
✿ If he had disclosed those flaws publicly, he would have faced threats to his life from the rulers.
✿ Therefore, he exercised caution in narrating such matters.
Historical Indication
This was an allusion to the circumstances that arose around 60 AH and afterwards, when within the ruling class certain matters appeared that, if spoken about openly, could lead to political consequences or personal harm.
Refutation of False Interpretations
Sufi and Bāṭinī sects attempt to use this ḥadīth as evidence for the existence of hidden, esoteric secrets within the Sharīʿah.✔ However, this interpretation is incorrect. The ḥadīth contains no indication supporting mystical or esoteric teachings.
✔ Rather, it refers to political and social realities connected to rulers and leadership, not hidden spiritual codes.
Reference for Further Study
The detailed commentary of this ḥadīth is found in Fatḥ al-Bārī, Vol. 1, pp. 216–217.
ھذا ما عندي والله أعلم بالصواب
