Question
Kindly provide the reasoning/explanation in the following Hadith for the words:
كان رَسولُ اللهِ ﷺ إذا خَطَبَ احْمَرَّتْ عَيْناهُ، وَعَلا صَوْتُهُ، واشْتَدَّ غَضَبُهُ،
عن جابر بن عبدالله رضي الله عنه قال: كانَ رَسولُ اللهِ ﷺ إذا خَطَبَ احْمَرَّتْ عَيْناهُ، وَعَلا صَوْتُهُ، واشْتَدَّ غَضَبُهُ، حتّى كَأنَّهُ مُنْذِرُ جَيْشٍ يقولُ: صَبَّحَكُمْ وَمَسّاكُمْ، ويقولُ: بُعِثْتُ أَنا والسّاعَةُ كَهاتَيْنِ، وَيَقْرُنُ بيْنَ إصْبَعَيْهِ السَّبّابَةِ، والْوُسْطى، ويقولُ: أَمّا بَعْدُ، فإنَّ خَيْرَ الحَديثِ كِتابُ اللهِ، وَخَيْرُ الهُدى هُدى مُحَمَّدٍ، وَشَرُّ الأُمُورِ مُحْدَثاتُها، وَكُلُّ بدْعَةٍ ضَلالَةٌ ثُمَّ يقولُ: أَنا أَوْلى بكُلِّ مُؤْمِنٍ مِن نَفْسِهِ، مَن تَرَكَ مالًا فَلأَهْلِهِ، وَمَن تَرَكَ دَيْنًا، أَوْ ضَياعًا فَإِلَيَّ وَعَلَيَّ. وفي رواية: كانَتْ خُطْبَةُ النبيِّ ﷺ يَومَ الجُمُعَةِ يَحْمَدُ اللَّهَ، وَيُثْنِي عليه، ثُمَّ يقولُ على إثْرِ ذلكَ، وَقَدْ عَلا صَوْتُهُ، ثُمَّ ساقَ الحَدِيثَ، بمِثْلِهِ.
(Sahih Muslim, Hadith: 867)
Answer
Translation
For the benefit of the reader, the beginning portion of this Hadith, relating to the aforementioned question, has been translated below:
It has been reported on the authority of Sayyiduna Jabir ibn ‘Abdillah (radiyallahu ‘anhuma) that he said:
“When Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam) would deliver a sermon, his eyes would turn red, his voice would raise, and his temper would intensify [i.e he would begin speaking with great intensity]; so much so that it would be as if he were a person warning an army saying [things like]: [take heed and beware!] “they will strike you at dawn” and “[beware!] they will attack you in the evening!”.
[in the sermon] He [i.e. Rasulullah – sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam] would join his index and middle finger together saying: ‘The final hour and I have been sent like these two……’”
Explanation
The commentators of Hadith have mentioned that Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam) would, at times, adopt a demeanor of such for the following reasons:
- When vehemently explaining the prohibition of an action that clearly goes against the Shari’ah (our Din and its legislation).
- Out of a genuine and fervent concern for his Ummah when warning them about certain issues.
- To emphasize both the weightiness and significance of the topic being addressed.
- To ensure that the message was passed on clearly in such a manner that the attendees would not only hear the message but also become affected; gaining courage, determination, and resolve, enabling them to quickly implement the message.
(Ikmalil Mu’lim, Hadith: 867, Al-Mufhim, Hadith: 739, Al-Minhaj, Hadith: 2002, Fathul Ilah, Hadith: 1407, Mirqat, Hadith: 1407)
And Allah Ta’ala knows best.
Answered by: Moulana Farhan Shariff
Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar