By Alh. Lukman Idris
Narrated by Umm Salama (Radi-Allahu ‘anhu):
The Prophet (Sallallahu ‘Alaihi Wa Sallam) said, “I am only a human being,
and you people have disputes. May be some one amongst you can present his
case in a more eloquent and convincing manner than the other, and I give my
judgment in his favor according to what I hear. Beware! If ever I give (by
error) somebody something of his brother’s right then he should not take it
as I have only given him a piece of Fire.”
(Sahih Bukhari Vol. 9,No. 97).
3 vintage lessons to be learnt from this hadith of Rasulullah(saws).
1. While we as followers tend to ascribe so much greatness or perfection to the prophets of Allah, contrarily they were very humble individuals who genuinely go the extra lenght showing us so much humility/imperfections in their actions (may Allah bless them all). A very popular biblical verse comes to mind here, where Jesus (peace be upon him) once decried being called “good” – “And behold, one came and said unto him, good master, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life? And he said unto him, why callest thou me good? There’s none good but One, that is God…….(Mathew 19: 16-17).
2. The sincerity portrayed in this hadith should be emulated by we Muslims. It is very unexpected for someone with autocratic authority admit that he’s prone to error.
3. Muslims are hereby enjoined to be unequivocally fair in all our dealings, especially in a case where what’s not yours has been erroneously granted unto you.
Everyone of us is an ambassador for Islam, our behaviors and interactions with fellow human beings becomes our valid instruments of dawah. Try not to make your lifestyle a bad label for Islam, even your kids are closely watching and recording.
May Allah continue to guide us. Amin.
