DAILY POST #92
Imaam Ibn Hajar Al-‘Asqalaani – rahimahullaah – said:
It is reported from Abu Hurairah radiyallaahu anhu- who said – The Messenger of Allah -salallaahu alayhi wasallam said:
“When two men insult one another, what they say is mainly the fault of the one who started it, so long as the one who is oppressed or wronged does not transgress.”
Transmitted and recorded by Imaam Muslim in his “Sahih”#2587.
COMMENTARY
The hadith shows the importance of the following:
1. It indicates the permissibility for one to defend himself after he has being oppressed. And there is no different of opinion of scholars on this. There are many verses and hadith that shows the permissibility of defending oneself.
Allah says
“And whoever defends himself after his being oppressed, these it is against whom there is no way (to blame).
” Allah also say in the same Surah Verse 39:
“And those who when great wrong afflicts them, defend themselves.” However, for one to overlook and forgive is better and preferable in Islam.
Allah says:
And whoever is patient and forgiving, these most surely be a resolution in the conduct of affairs.
” Allah says:
“And the recompense of evil is punishment like it, but whoever forgives and amends, he shall have his reward from Allah; surely He does not love the oppressors.
2. Insulting a Muslim is an act of immorality and is completely disliked and abhorrent in Islam. The messenger of Allah salallaahu alayhi wasallam said: “Insulting a Muslim is an act of disobedience to Allah……”. Agreed upon. For this reason, it is not permissible for the one who is defending himself to abuse or slander the person that abuse him.
But he can retaliate with a word that does not contain abusive word, slander or lies. And when retaliating, he should not transgress beyond the way he was oppressed.
3. It indicates that when people insult or abuse one another, the fault is mainly on the person who initiated or started it, as long as the one who is oppressed does not transgress when retaliating. For if he keeps quiet and behave morally, the person that is retaliating will have not said anything in the first place and no one will be at fault.
Allaahu A’alam!
Baarakallaahu feekum!
