The Chicken Boycott (Hadith No. 2758)

Bismillah.

Hadith no. 2757 (below) is a repeat. Read it here.

Volume 4, Book 53, Number 360 :
Narrated by Marwan bin Al-Hakim and Miswar bin Makhrama (radiallaahu `anhumaa)
When the Hawazin delegation came to Allah’s Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) after they had embraced Islam and requested him to return their properties and war prisoners to them, Allah’s Apostle said, “To me the best talk is the truest, so you may choose either of two things; the war prisoners or the wealth, for I have delayed their distribution.” Allah’s Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) had waited for them for over ten days when he returned from Ta’if. So, when those people came to know that Allah’s Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) was not going to return to them except one of the two things the said, “We choose our war Prisoners ‘Allah’s Apostle stood up amongst the Muslims, and after glorifying Allah as He deserved, he said, “Now then, these brothers of yours have come to us with repentance, and I see it logical that I should return their captives to them, so whoever of you likes to do that as a favor then he can do it, and whoever amongst you likes to stick to his share, let him give up his prisoners and we will compensate him from the very first Fai’ (i.e. war booty received without fight) which Allah will give us.” On that, all the people said. ‘O Allah’s Apostle! We have agreed willingly to do so (return the captives)” Then Allah’s Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) said to them “I do not know who amongst you has agreed to this and who has not. You should return and let your leaders inform me of your agreement.” The people returned and their leaders spoke to them, and then came to Allah’s Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) and said, “All the people have agreed willingly to do so and have given the permission to return the war prisoners (without Compensation)” (Az-Zuhri, the sub-narrator states) This is what has been related to us about the captives of Hawazin.

Today’s Hadith:

Volume 4, Book 53, Number 361 :
Narrated by Zahdam
Once we were in the house of Abu Musa (radiallaahu `anhu) who presented a meal containing cooked chicken. A man from the tribe of Bani Taim Allah with red complexion as if he were from the Byzantine war prisoners, was present. Abu Musa (radiallaahu `anhu) invited him to share the meal but he (apologised) saying. “I saw chickens eating dirty things and so I have had a strong aversion to eating them, and have taken an oath that I will not eat chickens.” Abu Musa (radiallaahu `anhu) said, “Come along, I will tell you about this matter (i.e. how to cancel one’s oat ). I went to the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) in the company of a group of Al-Ashariyin, asked him to provide us with means of conveyance. He said, ‘By Allah, I will not provide you with any means of conveyance and I have nothing to make you ride on.’ Then some camels as booty were brought to Allah’s Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) and he asked for us saying. ‘Where are the group of Al-Ash’ariyun?’ Then he ordered that we should be given five camels with white humps. When we set out we said, ‘What have we done? We will never be blessed (with what we have been given).’ So, we returned to the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) and said, ‘We asked you to provide us with means of conveyance, but you took an oath that you would not provide us with any means of conveyance. Did you forget (your oath when you gave us the camels)? He replied. ‘I have not provided you with means of conveyance, but Allah has provided you with it, and by Allah, Allah willing, if ever I take an oath to do something, and later on I find that it is more beneficial to do something different, I will do the thing which is better, and give expiation for my oath.”

Read this hadith in Arabic here.

We’ve had a couple of posts based on oaths and vows before, discussing their types and rulings etc. But I wanted to do this hadith in a separate post since I, personally, can relate to this very well. About 5 years ago, I also decided not to eat chicken because of their unnatural feed and lifestyle in general. I don’t remember exactly how long I stayed away from eating it, but it was definitely more than 6-7 months. My friends had to include non-chicken dishes in their menu if I was on the guest list. Yup, it was that bad! Anyhow, when I broke my ‘vow’, I simply just ate chicken.. I did not offer any expiation for it because there was no need. When you take an oath to not do something and find out later that doing something else is more beneficial, you simply choose to do the latter, according to the above statement of the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam).

So what was my ‘more beneficial something’? Go to town on KFC? (Ew!) Actually, it’s more to do with supporting local and organic chicken. Seriously, if you were to see the size of chickens available in the market (at least in Canada!) today, you would not be able to differentiate it from a turkey! La hawla wala quwwata illaa billah! I mean, what DO they feed them?!

Yum?

What’s your take on this?

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Gifts from Non-Muslims (Hadith No. 2301)

Bismillah,

Volume 3, Book 47, Number 803 :
Narrated by Abu Huraira (radiallaahu `anhu)
Allah’s Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) said, “The Prophet Abraham migrated with Sarah. The people (of the town where they migrated) gave her Ajar (i.e. Hajar). Sarah returned and said to Abraham, “Do you know that Allah has humiliated that pagan and he has given a slave-girl for my service?”

This is from the story of Sarah (Ibraheem’s wife) and the king of Egypt when he tried to have his way with her. The point of this narration in the Book of Gifts is that it shows that slaves can be gifted to others.. and to that one can accept gifts from non-Muslims too, provided they’re not unlawful in themselves e.g. alcohol.

Read more on it here.

The Gift of Silk (Ahadith 2280 – 2283)

Bismillah.

Volume 3, Book 47, Number 782:
Narrated ‘Abdullah bin Umar (radiallaahu `anhu):
Umar bin Al-Khattab (radiallaahu `anhu) saw a silken dress (cloak) being sold at the gate of the Mosque and said, “O Allah’s Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam)! Would that you buy it and wear it on Fridays and when the delegates come to you!” Allah’s Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) said, “This is worn by the one who will have no share in the Hereafter.” Later on some silk dresses were brought and Allah’s Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) sent one of them to ‘Umar (radiallaahu `anhu). ‘Umar (radiallaahu `anhu) said, “How do you give me this to wear while you said what you said about the dress of ‘Utarid?” Allah’s Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) said, “I have not given it to you to wear.” So, ‘Umar (radiallaahu `anhu) gave it to a pagan brother of his in Mecca.

This hadeeth indicates that it is permissible to deal in clothes that we are permitted to use in one way but not in another, and it is permissible to give them as gifts and donations, but the one to whom it is given or donated has to use it the manner which is permitted, not in the manner that is forbidden. For example:

Gold jewellery, weapons, knives, grapes, etc, which can be used in permissible ways or in haraam ways. It is permissible to deal in them and to give them as donations and gifts, so long as the one who buys them or is given them will use them in permissible ways, such as selling them, giving them, etc, and he will not make use of them in haraam ways.

But if the thing is something which it is haraam to use in any way and under any circumstances, then it is not permissible to deal in it or to give it as a gift, such as pigs, lions and wolves. There is nothing in the hadeeth to indicate that it is permissible to sell the things mentioned, so it is not correct to draw an analogy between selling cigarettes, tobacco, and men’s and women’s bathing suits, and selling things that may be used in some ways but not others or in some situations and not others, because it is haraam to use these things in all cases.

Volume 3, Book 47, Number 783:
Narrated Ibn Umar (radiallaahu `anhu):
Once the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) went to the house of Fatima (radiallaahu `anhaa) but did not enter it. ‘Ali (radiallaahu `anhu) came and she told him about that. When ‘Ali (radiallaahu `anhu) asked the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) about it, he said, “I saw a (multi-colored) decorated curtain on her door. I am not interested in worldly things.” ‘Ali (radiallaahu `anhu) went to Fatima (radiallaahu `anhaa) and told her about it. Fatima (radiallaahu `anhaa) said, “I am ready to dispense with it in the way he suggests.” The Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) ordered her to send it to such-and-such needy people.”

Volume 3, Book 47, Number 784:
Narrated ‘Ali (radiallaahu `anhu):
The Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) gave me a silken dress as a gift and I wore it. When I saw the signs of anger on his face, I cut it into pieces and distributed it among my wives.”

Volume 3, Book 47, Number 785:
Narrated Anas (radiallaahu `anhu):
A Jubba (i.e. cloak) made of thick silken cloth was presented to the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam). The Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) used to forbid people to wear silk. So, the people were pleased to see it. The Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) said, “By Him in Whose Hands Muhammad’s soul is, the handkerchiefs of Sad bin Mu’adh (radiallaahu `anhu) in Paradise are better than this.” Anas added, “The present was sent to the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) by Ukaidir (a Christian) from Dauma.”

Other benefits from these narrations:

• Silk is prohibited for men – wearing it, sitting on it etc.
• Women may use silk for wearing, beddings etc.
• Silk makes a great gift – as long as you know it won’t be used for haraam, e.g. a man won’t wear it.
• Selling silk is allowed.
• Gifts can be accepted from non-Muslims as long as they’re not “haraam”.

The Egyptian Mastigure (Hadith No. 2247)

Bismillah.

Volume 3, Book 47, Number 749:
Narrated Said bin Jubair:
Ibn Abbas (radiallaahu `anhu) said: Um Hufaid, Ibn ‘Abbas’s aunt (radiallaahu `anhumaa), sent some dried yogurt (butter free), ghee (butter) and a mastigar to the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) as a gift. The Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) ate the dried yogurt and butter but left the mastigar because he disliked it. Ibn ‘Abbas (radiallaahu `anhu) said, “The mastigar was eaten at the table of Allah’s Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) and if it had been illegal to eat, it could not have been eaten at the table of Allah’s Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam).”

This “mastigar” mentioned in the hadith is a type of sand lizard, commonly known as an Egyptian Mastigure (dabb in Arabic). You can eat it if you like. :)

Tempting, isn’t it? :P

Rabbit (Hadith No. 2244)

Bismillah.

Ahadith 2241 – 224 (below) are repeats. See linked text for related posts.

Volume 3, Book 47, Number 743:
Narrated Sahl (radiallaahu `anhu):
The Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) sent for a woman from the emigrants and she had a slave who was a carpenter. The Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) said to her “Order your slave to prepare the wood (pieces) for the pulpit.” So, she ordered her slave who went and cut the wood from the tamarisk and prepared the pulpit, for the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam). When he finished the pulpit, the woman informed the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) that it had been finished. The Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) asked her to send that pulpit to him, so they brought it. The Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) lifted it and placed it at the place in which you see now.”

Volume 3, Book 47, Number 744:
Narrated ‘Abdullah bin Abu Qatada Al-Aslami:
That his father said, “One day I was sitting with some of the Prophet’s (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) companions on the way to Mecca. Allah’s Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) was ahead of us. All of my companions were in the state of Ihram while I was a non-Muhrim. They saw an onager while I was busy repairing my shoes, so they did not tell me about it but they wished I had seen it. By chance I looked up and saw it. So, I turned to the horse, saddled it and rode on it, forgetting to take the spear and the whip. I asked them if they could hand over to me the whip and the spear but they said, ‘No, by Allah, we shall not help you in that in any way.’ I became angry and got down from the horse, picked up both the things and rode the horse again. I attacked the onager and slaughtered it, and brought it (after it had been dead). They took it (cooked some of it) and started eating it, but they doubted whether it was allowed for them to eat it or not, as they were in the state of Ihram. So, we proceeded and I hid with me one of its fore-legs. When we met Allah’s Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) and asked him about the case, he asked, ‘Do you have a portion of it with you?’ I replied in the affirmative and gave him that fleshy fore-leg which he ate completely while he was in the state of Ihram.

Volume 3, Book 47, Number 745:
Narrated Anas (radiallaahu `anhu):
Once Allah’s Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) visited us in this house of ours and asked for something to drink. We milked one of our sheep and mixed it with water from this well of ours and gave it to him. Abu Bakr (radiallaahu `anhu) was sitting on his left side and ‘Umar (radiallaahu `anhu) in front of him and a bedouin on his right side. When Allah’s Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) finished, ‘Umar (radiallaahu `anhu) said to Allah’s Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam), “Here is Abu Bakr (radiallaahu `anhu).” But Allah’s Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) gave the remaining milk to the bedouin and said twice, “The (persons on the) right side! So, start from the right side.” Anas (radiallaahu `anhu) added, “It is a Sunnah (the Prophet’s traditions)” and repeated it thrice.

Today’s Hadith:

Volume 3, Book 47, Number 746:
Narrated Anas (radiallaahu `anhu):
We chased a rabbit at Mar-al-Zahran and the people ran after it but were exhausted. I overpowered and caught it, and gave it to Abu Talha (radiallaahu `anhu) who slaughtered it and sent its hip or two thighs to Allah’s Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam). (The narrator confirms that he sent two thighs). The Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) accepted that. (The sub-narrator asked Anas (radiallaahu `anhu), “Did the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam); eat from it?” Anas (radiallaahu `anhu) replied, “He ate from it.”)

Basically all animals are Halal except those that are made unlawful in Shari’a.
Allah says (interpretation of meaning): {Say (O Muhammad SAW): “I find not in that which has been inspired to me anything forbidden to be eaten by one who wishes to eat it, unless it be Maytah (a dead animal) or blood poured forth (by slaughtering or the like), or the flesh of swine (pork, etc.) for that surely is impure, …} [6: 145].

The Hadith establishes a rule concerning the birds and animals that are Haram, the Hadith reads: “Eating of all fanged beasts of prey, and all the birds having talons is forbidden”. [Reported by Imam Muslim ].

Therefore, eating a rabbit is permissible, and it is proved in Sahihain that “the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) and his companions ate its meat” .
Rabbit is Halal and no one from Muslim scholars opposed this ruling.