Hadith No 6 of An-Nawawi’s Collection – JSS1 Islamic Studies Lesson Note (Third Term)

Hadith No. 6 of Imam An-Nawawi’s Forty Hadith teaches that what is halal (permissible) and what is haram (forbidden) are both clear, and that between them lie doubtful matters. A Muslim who avoids doubtful matters protects his faith and honour. The Hadith ends by saying that the heart decides whether the whole body is sound.

This Hadith helps Muslims protect their faith and stay away from doubtful matters. In this lesson, students will learn the Hadith, its meaning, and how it applies to daily life.

Behavioural objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

• State who Imam An-Nawawi and Nu’man bin Bashir were.
• Explain the three categories of matters mentioned in the Hadith: halal, haram and doubtful.
• Explain the shepherd analogy and the meaning of Allah’s private pasture.
• Describe the role of the heart in the Hadith.
• Give examples of doubtful matters in today’s world.
• List steps for dealing with doubtful matters in daily life.

Who was Imam An-Nawawi?

Imam Abu Zakariya Yahya ibn Sharaf An-Nawawi was a great Islamic scholar who lived from 1233 to 1277 CE (631-676 AH). He was born in Nawa, Syria, and became one of the most respected scholars in Islamic history. He wrote many important books about Islam, including:

• Riyadh as-Saliheen (Gardens of the Righteous)
• Al-Minhaj (Commentary on Sahih Muslim)
• Al-Adhkar (The Book of Remembrances)
• Al-Arba’in An-Nawawiyyah (Forty Hadith of An-Nawawi)

What is the Forty Hadith collection?

The “Forty Hadith” is a famous collection in which Imam An-Nawawi selected 42 of the most important Hadith that cover the main teachings of Islam. He chose Hadith that are clear, authentic and fundamental to understanding Islam. Many scholars, students and ordinary Muslims have memorised this collection because of its importance.

What is the text of the sixth Hadith?

Arabic text

عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللهِ النُّعْمَانِ بْنِ بَشِيرٍ رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُمَا قَالَ: سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يَقُولُ: “إِنَّ الْحَلَالَ بَيِّنٌ، وَإِنَّ الْحَرَامَ بَيِّنٌ، وَبَيْنَهُمَا أُمُورٌ مُشْتَبِهَاتٌ لَا يَعْلَمُهُنَّ كَثِيرٌ مِنَ النَّاسِ، فَمَنِ اتَّقَى الشُّبُهَاتِ فَقَدِ اسْتَبْرَأَ لِدِينِهِ وَعِرْضِهِ، وَمَنْ وَقَعَ فِي الشُّبُهَاتِ وَقَعَ فِي الْحَرَامِ، كَالرَّاعِي يَرْعَى حَوْلَ الْحِمَى يُوشِكُ أَنْ يَرْتَعَ فِيهِ، أَلَا وَإِنَّ لِكُلِّ مَلِكٍ حِمًى، أَلَا وَإِنَّ حِمَى اللهِ مَحَارِمُهُ، أَلَا وَإِنَّ فِي الْجَسَدِ مُضْغَةً إِذَا صَلَحَتْ صَلَحَ الْجَسَدُ كُلُّهُ، وَإِذَا فَسَدَتْ فَسَدَ الْجَسَدُ كُلُّهُ، أَلَا وَهِيَ الْقَلْبُ”. رَوَاهُ الْبُخَارِيُّ وَمُسْلِمٌ

English translation

On the authority of Abu Abdullah an-Nu’man bin Bashir (may Allah be pleased with them both) who said: I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) say:

“What is lawful is clear and what is unlawful is clear, but between them are doubtful matters about which many people do not know. So whoever avoids these doubtful matters safeguards his religion and his honour. But whoever falls into doubtful matters, falls into the unlawful, like a shepherd who grazes his flock too close to a private pasture and at any moment is liable to stray into it. Truly, every king has a private pasture, and truly Allah’s private pasture is what He has forbidden. Truly, in the body there is a morsel of flesh, if it is sound, the whole body is sound, and if it is corrupt, the whole body is corrupt. Truly, it is the heart.”

Reported by Bukhari and Muslim.

Who narrated the Hadith?

This Hadith was narrated by Nu’man bin Bashir:

• He was a young companion of the Prophet
• He was born in the early years after the Hijrah (migration to Madinah)
• His father, Bashir, was one of the early converts to Islam
• He was only about 8 years old when the Prophet passed away
• He later became the governor of Kufa and then Damascus
• He narrated about 114 Hadith from the Prophet
• He died around 65 AH (684 CE)

What does the Hadith mean?

The clear halal (permissible)

• “What is lawful is clear” means many things are clearly permissible in Islam
• Examples include: pure food, honest trade, marriage, and good deeds
• These are explicitly allowed in the Quran and Sunnah
• Muslims can enjoy these things without any doubt or worry

The clear haram (forbidden)

• “What is unlawful is clear” means many things are clearly forbidden in Islam
• Examples include: stealing, lying, adultery, alcohol, and pork
• These are explicitly forbidden in the Quran and Sunnah
• Muslims must avoid these things completely

The doubtful matters

• “Between them are doubtful matters” refers to things that are not clearly halal or haram
• These are unclear or ambiguous cases
• The permissibility of these matters is not explicitly stated
• Many people do not know the ruling on these matters

The importance of avoiding doubtful matters

• “Whoever avoids these doubtful matters safeguards his religion and his honour”
• Avoiding doubtful matters protects one’s faith
• It also protects one’s reputation and dignity
• This is the path of caution and piety

The danger of falling into doubtful matters

• “Whoever falls into doubtful matters falls into the unlawful”
• Getting involved in doubtful matters may gradually lead to clear haram
• This is because boundaries become blurred and self-control weakens
• One doubtful matter often leads to another, then to clear haram

The shepherd analogy

• “Like a shepherd who grazes his flock too close to a private pasture”
• The shepherd represents a Muslim
• The flock represents one’s actions and choices
• The private pasture represents the forbidden area (haram)
• Grazing too close to it represents engaging in doubtful matters
• The risk of straying into it shows how doubtful matters can lead to haram

Allah’s private pasture

• “Every king has a private pasture, and truly Allah’s private pasture is what He has forbidden”
• Kings protect certain areas as their private property
• Similarly, Allah has set certain matters as forbidden
• Respecting these boundaries shows respect for Allah
• Violating these boundaries is an act of disobedience

The role of the heart

• “In the body there is a morsel of flesh… it is the heart”
• The heart is the centre of faith, intention and decision-making
• If the heart is sound (pure and guided), the whole person will be righteous
• If the heart is corrupt, the whole person will be corrupt
• The heart guides our choices regarding halal, haram and doubtful matters

What are examples of doubtful matters?

Types of doubtful matters

There are different kinds of doubtful matters:

1. Things with mixed sources: Products containing both halal and haram ingredients
2. Unclear origins: Items where the source is unknown (like meat from unknown sources)
3. Grey areas in business: Transactions that have some questionable elements
4. New issues: Modern matters not directly addressed in traditional texts
5. Matters with conflicting evidence: Issues where scholars have different opinions based on different evidence

Practical examples

• Food products: Items with ingredients that are not clearly labelled or that might contain haram substances
• Income sources: Money from businesses that deal partly in haram activities
• Entertainment: Programmes or games that contain some inappropriate elements mixed with acceptable content
• Modern financial transactions: New types of contracts or investments not covered in traditional Islamic law
• Social media usage: Platforms that may expose one to both beneficial and harmful content

How should a Muslim deal with doubtful matters?

Seek knowledge

To handle doubtful matters correctly:

• Learn the basic rules of halal and haram
• Study the principles that guide Islamic rulings
• Consult knowledgeable scholars when in doubt
• Research the issue thoroughly before making a decision

Apply the principle of caution

Being cautious about doubtful matters means:

• Choosing the safer option when in doubt
• Avoiding questionable situations
• Preferring to leave doubtful matters entirely
• Following the way of the pious predecessors

Purify the heart

Since the heart guides our choices:

• Regularly evaluate your intentions
• Engage in dhikr (remembrance of Allah)
• Read the Quran and reflect on its meanings
• Avoid persistent sin that hardens the heart
• Keep company with righteous people

Follow reliable scholars

When facing doubtful matters:

• Refer to qualified scholars who are known for their knowledge and piety
• Avoid following unusual opinions just because they seem easier
• Be consistent in following reliable scholarly opinions
• Understand the evidence behind the rulings

What are the benefits of following this Hadith?

Spiritual benefits

• Increased taqwa (God-consciousness)
• Protection from sin and its effects
• Peace of mind and heart
• Stronger connection with Allah
• Development of a sensitive conscience

Social benefits

• Better reputation and trustworthiness
• Protection from harmful relationships
• Positive influence on others
• Contribution to a more ethical society
• Stronger family and community bonds

Personal benefits

• Clearer decision-making
• Stronger willpower to resist temptation
• Better physical health (by avoiding harmful substances)
• Freedom from the anxiety of questionable choices
• Development of a disciplined lifestyle

What stories from Islamic history show this Hadith in practice?

The caution of the early Muslims

Many companions and early Muslims were extremely cautious about doubtful matters:

1. Abu Bakr’s example: The first caliph once drank some milk, then found out it came from doubtful sources. He immediately tried to vomit it out, saying, “O Allah, I seek your forgiveness for what the veins have carried through my body.”
2. Umar’s caution: Umar ibn al-Khattab would avoid walking in the shade of a tree belonging to his debtor, fearing it might be considered as taking benefit from the loan (which would make it like interest).
3. Hassan ibn Ali: The Prophet’s grandson would throw away a date if he was not sure whether it was from charity (which the Prophet’s family was not allowed to take) or a gift.

The Prophet’s example

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was the best example of avoiding doubtful matters:

• He refused to eat a date he found on his bed because he was not sure if it was from charity or not
• He taught his companions to “leave what makes you doubt for what does not make you doubt”
• He advised his companion Wabisah: “Consult your heart… righteousness is what brings tranquillity to your soul”

How can students apply this Hadith today?

Modern challenges

Today, Muslims face many new situations that call for this principle:

• Food industry: Complex ingredients and processing methods
• Digital content: Mixed beneficial and harmful online content
• Financial systems: Complex banking and investment products
• Entertainment: Media with mixed messages and values
• Workplace situations: Ethical dilemmas in modern business environments

Practical steps for application

To apply this Hadith in daily life:

1. Develop a basic understanding: Learn the clear halal and haram matters first
2. Create personal boundaries: Set personal rules that keep you away from doubtful areas
3. Ask before acting: When in doubt, pause and seek proper knowledge
4. Choose alternatives: Look for clearly halal alternatives to doubtful matters
5. Regular self-evaluation: Check if your actions are affecting your heart positively or negatively

Evaluation

1. Write Hadith No. 6 of An-Nawawi’s collection in your own words.
2. Who narrated this Hadith and what do you know about him?
3. Explain the three categories of matters mentioned in this Hadith.
4. What is the meaning of the shepherd analogy in the Hadith?
5. According to the Hadith, what is the role of the heart?
6. Give three examples of doubtful matters in today’s world.

Assignment

1. List the five practical steps for applying this Hadith in daily life.
2. State four things a Muslim can do to purify the heart.
3. Write the three examples of the Prophet’s caution given in this lesson.