Question

Kindly provide the reference and explanation of the following Hadith:

قال علي رضي الله عنه: أتيت النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم أنا و جعفر وزيد، فقال النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم لزيد: أنت مولاي، فحجل

 

Answer

This is part of a narration which Imam Ahmad (rahimahullah) has recorded on the authority of Sayyiduna ‘Ali (radiyallahu ‘anhu).

(Musnad Ahmad, vol. 1, pg. 108; Also see: Tabaqat ibn Sa’d, vol. 4, pg. 32, and Nasbur Rayah, vol. 3, pg. 268)

Hafiz Ibn Hajar (rahimahullah) has mentioned a portion of this narration in Fathul Bari, under the commentary of a Hadith, without criticizing it, thereby rendering it authentic or sound. Shaykh Ahmad Shakir (rahimahullah) has also declared the chain authentic (Sahih).

(Sahih Bukhari along with Fathul Bari, Hadith: 4251, and Musnad Ahmad; edition of Shaykh Ahmad Shakir, Hadith: 857, vol. 1, pg. 108; Also see: Mustadrak Hakim with the Talkhis of Imam Dhahabi, vol. 3, pg. 120, As-Sunanul Kubra, vol. 10, pg. 226, Al-Muhadhab Fikh-Tisaris Sunanil Kabir, Hadith: 16233, Siyaru A’lamin Nubala, vol. 1, pg. 213, Al-Mughni ‘An Hamlil Asfar, Hadith: 2230, Kaffur Ra’aa’ ‘an Muharramatil Lahwi was Sama’, pg. 44, Ithafus Sadatil Muttaqin, vol. 5, pgs. 566-567, and the footnotes of Shaykh Muhammad ‘Awwamah -hafizahullah- on Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah, Hadith: 32753)

Explanatory translation of the full narration

Sayyiduna ‘Ali (radiyallahu ‘anhu) has said:

“[Sayyidunas] Ja’far, Zayd, and I [radiyallahu ‘anhum] came to Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam).”

Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said to Zayd [radiyallahu ‘anhu]: ‘You are my Mawla’ [i.e., freed slave], after which he jumped in joy! [This is a great virtue as Nabi – sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam – has mentioned that the freed slave of a people is from them].

Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) then told Ja’far [radiyallahu ‘anhu]: ‘You have resembled my appearance and character’. He then, also jumped in joy after Zayd. [This too is a great virtue as Nabi – sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam – was the most beautiful and well mannered of creation].

Nabi (sallalalhu ‘alayhi wa sallam) then said to me: ‘You are from me and I am from you’ [This is also a great virtue wherein Nabi – sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam – alluded to his close relationship with ‘Ali – radiyallahu ‘anhu – which extended beyond mere family ties].

‘Ali [radiyallahu ‘anhu] said: ‘I then jumped in joy after Ja’far.

(Musnad Ahmad, vol. 1, pg. 108; Also see: Sahih Bukhari along with Fathul Bari, Hadith: 6761, 4251)

Note: Some of the Muhaddithun have defined the word حجل, which has appeared in this narration, to jump in joy by raising one leg and hopping on the other.

(An-Nihayah, Letters: ح ج ل)

‘Allamah Sindhi (rahimahullah) has added that it is possible the word حجل is actually خجل [with a خ instead of a ج]. In that case, it would mean that the three Sahabah [radiyallahu ‘anhum] fell silent and abashed due to what had transpired shortly after their argument.

(Hashiyatus Sindhi, vol. 1, pg. 231)

 

 And Allah Ta’ala knows best.

Answered by: Mawlana Farhan Shariff

Approved by: Mawlana Muhammad Abasoomar