Avoiding Unlawful Matters

Sahih al-Bukhari 52
Narrated An-Nu’man bin Bashir: I heard Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) saying, ‘Both legal and illegal things are evident but in between them there are doubtful (suspicious) things and most of the people have no knowledge about them. So whoever saves himself from these suspicious things saves his religion and his honor. And whoever indulges in these suspicious things is like a shepherd who grazes (his animals) near the Hima (private pasture) of someone else and at any moment he is liable to get in it. (O people!) Beware! Every king has a Hima and the Hima of Allah on the earth is His illegal (forbidden) things. Beware! There is a piece of flesh in the body if it becomes good (reformed) the whole body becomes good but if it gets spoilt the whole body gets spoilt and that is the heart.

This hadith from Sahih al-Bukhari emphasizes the importance of avoiding doubtful matters to safeguard one’s religion and honor, and it draws attention to the significance of the heart in determining one’s actions. Here are some Quranic verses that provide context and support the themes of this hadith:

1. Surah Al-Baqarah (2:219)
   “They ask you about wine and gambling. Say, ‘In them is great sin and [yet, some] benefit for people. But their sin is greater than their benefit.’ And they ask you what they should spend. Say, ‘The excess beyond needs.’ Thus Allah makes clear to you the verses [of revelation] that you might give thought.”
   This verse highlights the clear distinction between lawful and unlawful matters. It mentions that while there may be some benefit in things like alcohol and gambling, their harm outweighs the benefit, reinforcing the idea that what is clearly unlawful should be avoided. This parallels the hadith’s message of being cautious about doubtful matters that may lead one into forbidden territory.

2. Surah Al-Ma’idah (5:101)
   “O you who have believed, do not ask about things which, if disclosed to you, would disturb you. But if you ask about them while the Qur’an is being revealed, they will be disclosed to you. Allah has forgiven that, and Allah is Forgiving and Forbearing.”
   This verse advises against delving into matters that are uncertain or cause unnecessary confusion, similar to the hadith’s advice to stay away from doubtful things. It serves as a reminder that some things are best left unexamined to avoid unnecessary complications or potential harm.

3. Surah An-Nur (24:30-31)
   “Tell the believing men to lower their gaze and guard their private parts. That is purer for them. Indeed, Allah is Acquainted with what they do.”
   “And tell the believing women to lower their gaze and guard their private parts and not to display their adornment except that which [ordinarily] appears thereof and to wrap a portion of their headcovers over their chests…”
   These verses guide Muslims to avoid actions that may lead to temptation or indecency, emphasizing the importance of controlling one’s desires and maintaining purity. The concept of avoiding doubtful or suspicious matters extends to maintaining modesty and refraining from behaviors that could lead to sinful actions.

4. Surah Al-Ahzab (33:35)
   “Indeed, the Muslim men and Muslim women, the believing men and believing women, the obedient men and obedient women, the truthful men and truthful women, the patient men and patient women, the humble men and humble women, the charitable men and charitable women, the fasting men and fasting women, the men who guard their private parts and the women who do so, and the men who remember Allah often and the women who do so – for them Allah has prepared forgiveness and a great reward.”
   This verse encourages actions that maintain a high standard of moral and spiritual integrity. It aligns with the hadith’s teaching that preserving one’s religion and honor requires continuous effort to avoid anything that could corrupt the heart or lead one astray, including doubtful matters.

5. Surah Al-A’raf (7:26)
   “O children of Adam, take your adornment at every masjid and eat and drink, but be not excessive. Indeed, He does not like the wasteful.”
   The warning against excess and immoderation parallels the advice in the hadith to avoid going near forbidden territory. Just as a person should not be excessive in eating and drinking, they should also avoid activities that might bring them into a morally compromising position, especially in areas that are unclear or doubtful.

6. Surah Al-Furqan (25:63)
   “And the servants of the Most Merciful are those who walk upon the earth easily, and when the ignorant address them [harshly], they say peace.”
   This verse highlights the importance of a sound and peaceful heart that remains untainted by negative emotions or actions. The heart’s purity is crucial in ensuring that a person’s actions remain aligned with righteousness, reinforcing the hadith’s focus on the heart as the key to a person’s moral state.

Together, these Quranic verses complement the teachings in the hadith by emphasizing the importance of avoiding doubtful matters, maintaining purity in actions, and guarding one’s heart from corruption, all of which are essential for preserving one’s religion, honor, and righteousness.