❖ Imam al-Shafi‘i’s Advice to Those Who Engage in Doubt and Dispute About Hadith ❖
✍ Written by: Abu Muhammad Abdullah Akhtar
Source: Monthly Al-Hadith, Hazro
Imam al-Shafi‘i رحمه الله, one of the foremost scholars in Islamic jurisprudence, strongly advised against disputing authentic Hadith. His guidance serves as a timeless lesson for those who engage in unnecessary “qeel wa qaal” (vain talk and argumentation) concerning the Prophetic traditions.
It is narrated from Imam al-Shafi‘i’s student Sulaiman ibn Rabī‘ al-Murādī that:
Imam al-Shafi‘i once narrated a Hadith of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.
Upon hearing it, a man said to him:
“O Abu ‘Abdillah! Do you actually accept this Hadith?”
Imam al-Shafi‘i رحمه الله responded:
"سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ! أَرْوِي عَنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ شَيْئًا لَا آخُذُ بِهِ؟ مَتَى عَرَفْتُ لِرَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ حَدِيثًا، وَلَمْ آخُذْ بِهِ، فَأَنَا أُشْهِدُكُمْ أَنَّ عَقْلِي قَدْ ذَهَبَ"
“Glory be to Allah! Would I narrate something from the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and not accept it?
If ever I come to know of a Hadith from the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and do not act upon it, then I testify before you all that my intellect has departed from me!”
(Adab al-Shafi‘i wa Manaqibuhu by Ibn Abi Hatim, 1/50 – Chain of narration: Authentic)
This powerful statement from Imam al-Shafi‘i رحمه الله highlights:
✔ The binding nature of authentic Hadith for those who claim to follow the Prophet ﷺ.
✔ The intellectual humility and submission of the scholars before the Sunnah.
✔ The refutation of those who cast doubt or dismiss Hadith without scholarly basis.
Imam al-Shafi‘i رحمه الله’s words are a stern reminder for anyone who casually questions or rejects authentic Hadith.
To know of a Hadith from the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and then neglect it is, in his words, a sign of a lost mind.
Let us honor the Sunnah by embracing it with reverence and submission, as our righteous predecessors did.
✍ Written by: Abu Muhammad Abdullah Akhtar
Source: Monthly Al-Hadith, Hazro◈ A Caution from Imam al-Shafi‘i رحمه الله Regarding Hadith
Imam al-Shafi‘i رحمه الله, one of the foremost scholars in Islamic jurisprudence, strongly advised against disputing authentic Hadith. His guidance serves as a timeless lesson for those who engage in unnecessary “qeel wa qaal” (vain talk and argumentation) concerning the Prophetic traditions.
◈ The Incident and the Wise Response
It is narrated from Imam al-Shafi‘i’s student Sulaiman ibn Rabī‘ al-Murādī that:
Imam al-Shafi‘i once narrated a Hadith of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.
Upon hearing it, a man said to him:
“O Abu ‘Abdillah! Do you actually accept this Hadith?”
Imam al-Shafi‘i رحمه الله responded:
"سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ! أَرْوِي عَنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ شَيْئًا لَا آخُذُ بِهِ؟ مَتَى عَرَفْتُ لِرَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ حَدِيثًا، وَلَمْ آخُذْ بِهِ، فَأَنَا أُشْهِدُكُمْ أَنَّ عَقْلِي قَدْ ذَهَبَ"
“Glory be to Allah! Would I narrate something from the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and not accept it?
If ever I come to know of a Hadith from the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and do not act upon it, then I testify before you all that my intellect has departed from me!”
(Adab al-Shafi‘i wa Manaqibuhu by Ibn Abi Hatim, 1/50 – Chain of narration: Authentic)
◈ Reflection
This powerful statement from Imam al-Shafi‘i رحمه الله highlights:
✔ The binding nature of authentic Hadith for those who claim to follow the Prophet ﷺ.
✔ The intellectual humility and submission of the scholars before the Sunnah.
✔ The refutation of those who cast doubt or dismiss Hadith without scholarly basis.
◈ Conclusion
Imam al-Shafi‘i رحمه الله’s words are a stern reminder for anyone who casually questions or rejects authentic Hadith.
To know of a Hadith from the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and then neglect it is, in his words, a sign of a lost mind.
Let us honor the Sunnah by embracing it with reverence and submission, as our righteous predecessors did.
