Informing is Sunnah

Written by: Ghulam Mustafa Zaheer Amani Puri

Ishar refers to the practice of making an incision on the right side of a camel designated for sacrifice during Hajj, known as hadi (sacrifice at Mina). This is a Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), as exemplified in the following Hadith:

Narration from Sayyiduna Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him):

"Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) prayed at Dhu al-Hulayfah, then called for his she-camel, marked it on the right side of its hump and caused blood to flow, and hung two shoes on its neck. Then he mounted his mount, and when it reached Al-Bayda, he pronounced the Talbiyah for Hajj."

(Sahih Muslim: 1243)

Imam Tirmidhi writes under this Hadith:

"The practice among the scholars from the Companions of the Prophet (peace be upon him) and others is to view ishar as permissible. This is also the view of Imam Sufyan al-Thawri, Imam Shafi'i, Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal, and Imam Ishaq ibn Rahwayh."

(Sunan al-Tirmidhi, under Hadith: 906)

Narration from Sayyidah Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her):


"I twisted the necklaces for the sacrificial camels of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) with my own hands. Then he (peace be upon him) marked them and hung the necklaces around their necks."

(Sahih al-Bukhari: 1696, Sahih Muslim: 362/1321)

It should be noted that Imam Abu Hanifa referred to the practice of ishar, which is a Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), as muthla (disfigurement), and thus did not consider it permissible. Some have interpreted Imam Abu Hanifa's statement as a response to people exaggerating in the practice of ishar. However, this interpretation is entirely baseless, as there is no evidence to support it. This is why scholars have strongly refuted Imam Abu Hanifa's position on this matter. Let’s consider the statements of prominent scholars:

Hafiz Nawawi (641-676 AH) writes:

"Imam Abu Hanifa said that ishar is a bid'ah because it contradicts the authentic and well-known Hadiths regarding ishar. As for his statement that it is a form of mutilation, that is incorrect. It is similar to bloodletting, cupping, branding, and marking."

(Sharh Sahih Muslim al-Nawawi: 407/1)

Imam Waki' ibn Jarrah (d. 179 AH) states:


"Do not consider the opinions of those who follow personal reasoning (Ahl al-Ra'y) on this matter, for ishar is Sunnah, and their statement (that it is an innovation) is itself an innovation."

(Sunan al-Tirmidhi, under Hadith: 906, with a sound chain)

Abu al-Saib bin Janadah narrates:


"We were with Imam Waki', and he said to a man sitting nearby who was interested in personal opinions: 'Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) performed ishar, and Abu Hanifa says it is mutilation!' The man said, 'It is narrated from Ibrahim al-Nakha'i that he called ishar mutilation.' Waki' became very angry and said, 'I narrate to you the Hadith of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), and you say that Ibrahim al-Nakha'i said such and such? You deserve to be imprisoned until you recant this statement.'"

(Sunan al-Tirmidhi, under Hadith: 906, with a sound chain)

**Dear Readers! Observe the great enthusiasm of Imam Waki' (may Allah have mercy on him) for following the Sunnah. He does not tolerate anything contrary to the Hadith of the Messenger (peace be upon him). He expresses strong anger towards those who present opinions contrary to the Hadith. May Allah grant every Muslim a similar spirit of sincere adherence to the Sunnah. Ameen.

Imam Ibn Khuzaymah (d. 311 AH) establishes a chapter based on the Hadith of Ibn Abbas:

"Chapter: The Marking of the Sacrificial Camels on the Right Side of the Hump and the Flowing of Blood, refuting the statement of those who claim that ishar is mutilation, thus ignorantly labeling the Sunnah of the Prophet (peace be upon him) as mutilation."

(Sahih Ibn Khuzaymah: 153/4, Hadith: 2575)

Imam Ibn Abdul Barr (d. 463 AH) writes:


"This ruling (by Imam Abu Hanifa) has no evidence except for conjecture and suspicion, and Sunnah should not be abandoned due to conjecture."

(Al-Istidhkar li Ibn Abdul Barr: 264/4)

Allama Ibn Hazm (d. 456 AH) writes:


"Imam Abu Hanifa said, 'I dislike ishar; it is mutilation.' Ali (Ibn Hazm) says: This is one of the great missteps of the scholars to consider something done by the Prophet (peace be upon him) as mutilation. Such a stance necessitates the view that cupping, bloodletting, etc., should also be considered mutilation and should be avoided. Similarly, considering retribution for cutting off a nose, extracting teeth, cutting off ears, etc., as mutilation would also imply that cutting off the hands of thieves and highway robbers is mutilation, as well as stoning adulterers and crucifying highway robbers. In fact, the one who criticizes the action of the Prophet (peace be upon him) has mutilated his own soul. Ishar was done during the Farewell Pilgrimage, and the prohibition of mutilation was established several years prior to that. Thus, it is proven that ishar is not mutilation.

This is a statement by Imam Abu Hanifa that has no precedent among the predecessors, nor has any contemporary scholar of his time agreed with him, except for those who were tested by following him. We seek refuge with Allah from such trials."

(Al-Muhalla li Ibn Hazm: 111-112/7)
 
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