Meaning and Explanation of the Hadith: "لَا ضَرَرَ وَلَا ضِرَارَ"

Question:
What is the meaning of the hadith "لَا ضَرَرَ وَلَا ضِرَارَ"?


Answer by:
Scholar: ‘Umar Athari ḥafiẓahullāh



✿ Text of the Hadith​


"لَا ضَرَرَ وَلَا ضِرَارَ"
"There should be no harm, and no reciprocating harm."



✿ Brief Meaning​


✔ This hadith means:
One is not allowed to cause harm to oneself, and
One is not allowed to cause harm to others.


✔ It emphasizes the prohibition of initiating harm, as well as responding to harm with unjust harm.


✿ Key Explanation​


❖ This hadith is among the fundamental maxims of Islamic jurisprudence, establishing that:
– All forms of unjust damage, injury, or loss—whether physical, financial, social, or emotional—are prohibited in Islam.


✔ It applies to all spheres of life: transactions, contracts, family matters, societal conduct, etc.



✿ Recommended Reference​


For a detailed explanation of this hadith, refer to:
"جامع العلوم والحکم فی شرح خمسین حدیثاً"
by Ibn Rajab al-Ḥanbalī رحمه الله,
where this narration is elaborated upon with scholarly insight.



وَاللّٰهُ أَعْلَمُ بِالصَّوَابِ
 
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