Al-Bukhari on Consultation: People are not consulted except that the best possibility will be made available to them

Abu Amina Elias | October 11, 2012

By Abu Amina Elias for FaithinAllah.org

Al-Bukhari recorded in Al-Adab Al-Mufrad:

Abu Huraira reported: The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said to Abu al-Haytham:

هَلْ لَكَ خَادِمٌ‏؟‏

Do you have a servant?

He said no. The Prophet said:

فَإِذَا أَتَانَا سَبْيٌ فَأْتِنَا

If we are given prisoners of war, then come to us.

The Prophet was brought only two prisoners. Abu al-Haytham came to him and the Prophet said:

اخْتَرْ مِنْهُمَا

Choose between them.

He said, “O Messenger of Allah, choose for me.” The Prophet said:

إِنَّ الْمُسْتَشَارَ مُؤْتَمَنٌ خُذْ هَذَا فَإِنِّي رَأَيْتُهُ يُصَلِّي وَاسْتَوْصِ بِهِ خَيْرًا

Verily, the person who is consulted is in a position of trust. Take this one; I have seen him pray, so be good to him.

Abu’l-Haytham’s wife said, “You will not live up to the words of the Prophet, peace be upon him, concerning him until you set him free.” So he said, “He is free.”

Amir ibn Dinar reproted: Ibn Abbas would recite this verse:

وَشَاوِرْهُمْ فِي بَعْضِ الامْرِ‏

Consult with them in the matter. (3:159)

Al-Hasan said:

وَاللَّهِ مَا اسْتَشَارَ قَوْمٌ قَطُّ إِلاَّ هُدُوا لأَفْضَلِ مَا بِحَضْرَتِهِمْ

People never seek advice without being guided to the best possibility available to them.

Then he recited:

‏وَأَمْرُهُمْ شُورَى بَيْنَهُمْ

And manage their affairs by mutual consultation. (42:38)

Abu Huraira reported: The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said:

مَنْ تَقَوَّلَ عَلَيَّ مَا لَمْ أَقُلْ فَلْيَتَبَوَّأْ مَقْعَدَهُ مِنَ النَّارِ وَمَنِ اسْتَشَارَهُ أَخُوهُ الْمُسْلِمُ فَأَشَارَ عَلَيْهِ بِغَيْرِ رُشْدٍ فَقَدْ خَانَهُ وَمَنْ أُفْتِيَ فُتْيَا بِغَيْرِ ثَبْتٍ فَإِثْمُهُ عَلَى مَنْ أَفْتَاهُ‏

Whoever attributes to me words which I did not say will take his seat in the Hellfire; and whoever gives his Muslim brother misguided advice, then he has betrayed him; and whoever gives a judgment which is not firm, then the sin is upon the one who gave judgment.

Success comes from Allah, and Allah knows best.