The Hadeeth: We have more claim to doubt…

3-4-2013 | IslamWeb

Question:

I need a very brief explanation of the following Hadeeth in points. Abu Hurayrah, may Allaah be pleased with him, narrated that the Messenger of Allaah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: “We (i.e. the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) have more right to doubt than Ibraaheem (Abraham, May Allaah Exalt his mention), when he said, {"My Lord, show me how You give life to the dead." [Allaah] Said, "Have you not believed?" He said, "Yes, but [I ask] only that my heart may be satisfied."}. May Allaah Have Mercy upon Loot (Lot, may Allaah Exalt his mention) he used to take refuge in a strong support, and had I stayed imprisoned as long as Yoosuf (Joseph, may Allaah exalt his mention), I would have responded to the caller.”

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Answer:

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His Slave and Messenger.

 

In his commentary on Saheeh Muslim, As-Suyooti said:

“We have more right than Ibraaheem to doubt…”  means that it is impossible for Ibraaheem to doubt because had some prophets had this doubt, I (i.e. Prophet Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) would have been worthier to have it more than Ibraaheem . Then, as you (Muslims) are sure that I do not have doubt, then, be very sure that Ibraaheem did not have any doubts. The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, mentioned Ibraaheem specifically because such a wrong understanding may be grasped by some corrupt- minded people. The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, gave preference to Ibraaheem   to himself out of his modesty and high morals, or before knowing that he is the master of mankind…

“May Allaah have Mercy upon Loot, he used to take refuge in a strong support” This is a reference to Allaah The Almighty, the greatest and strongest support. The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said this alluding to the words of Loot (Lot), May Allaah exalt his mention, which is mentioned in the Quran {"If only I had against you some power or could take refuge in a strong support."} [Quran 11:80] i.e. to prevent you. An-Nawawi said, “Loot intended to show apology before his guests that if he could ward off harm from them in any way, he would have done so. He did not say that out of avoiding reliance  on Allaah The Almighty. It is possible that he forgot to resort to Allaah to protect them. It is also possible that he resorted to Allaah The Almighty within himself and showed his distress to the guests.”

“Had I stayed imprisoned as long as Yoosuf, I would have responded to the caller.”  this is praising Yoosuf and highlighting his patience that he did not hurriedly leave the prison when the King ordered his freedom after a long time and said to the messenger as it is mentioned in the Quran when Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {when the messenger came to him, [Yoosuf] said, "Return to your master and ask him what is the case of the women who cut their hands…"} [Quran 12:50] He was staunch and did not hasten to go out of the prison until his innocence of the accusations became clear. The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, did not say this comment except out of his modesty and using a highly eloquent way to show the perfect virtue of Yoosuf .

Allaah Knows best.