Explanation of the hadith
The Prophet (ﷺ) enjoined us to leave the words and deeds we are doubtful about, whether they are prohibited or not, lawful or unlawful—to things we are not doubtful about, and their goodness and lawfulness are certain.
Leave what you doubt for what you do not doubt
AuthenticNarrated by At-Tirmidhi and An-Nasā’iHadeethEnc #66519
عَنْ أَبِي مُـحَمَّدٍ الحَسَنِ بْنِ عَلِيِّ بْنِ أَبِي طَالِبٍ - سِبْطِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ وَرَيْحَانَتِهِ-، قَالَ: حَفِظْتُ مِنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ:
عَنْ أَبِي مُـحَمَّدٍ الحَسَنِ بْنِ عَلِيِّ بْنِ أَبِي طَالِبٍ - سِبْطِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ وَرَيْحَانَتِهِ-، قَالَ: حَفِظْتُ مِنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «دَعْ مَا يَرِيبُك إلَى مَا لَا يَرِيبُكَ».
English translation
Abu Muhammad al-Hasan ibn ‘Ali ibn Abi Tālib—the grandson of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) and his beloved— reported: I memorized from the words of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ):
Abu Muhammad al-Hasan ibn ‘Ali ibn Abi Tālib—the grandson of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) and his beloved— reported: I memorized from the words of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ): "Leave what you doubt for what you do not doubt."
Benefits from the hadith
- A Muslim should set up his affairs upon certainty and leave whatever is doubtful and should be insightful regarding his religion.
- The prohibition of falling into suspicious matters.
- If you are seeking tranquility and comfort, then abandon what is doubtful and leave it aside.
- Allah is Merciful to His slaves, as He has commanded them with what brings comfort to the soul and mind and has forbidden them from what causes anxiety and confusion.
Divergence and Preponderance