Hadith 11: Leave what makes you doubt

1. Read

عَنْ أَبِي مُحَمَّدٍ الْحَسَنِ بْنِ عَلِيِّ بْنِ أَبِي طَالِبٍ سِبْطِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه و سلم وَرَيْحَانَتِهِ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُمَا، قَالَ: حَفِظْت مِنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه و سلم دَعْ مَا يُرِيبُك إلَى مَا لَا يُرِيبُك . رَوَاهُ التِّرْمِذِيُّ [رقم:2520]، [وَالنَّسَائِيّ] وَقَالَ التِّرْمِذِيُّ: حَدِيثٌ حَسَنٌ صَحِيحٌ

On the authority of Abu Muhammad al-Hasan ibn Ali ibn Abee Talib (may Allah be pleased with him), the grandson of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), and the one much loved by him, who said: I memorised from the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him): “Leave that which makes you doubt for that which does not make you doubt.”

Narrated by: Abu Muhammad al-Hasan ibn Ali ibn Abee Talib
Source: At-Tirmidhi and An-Nasai. At-Tirmidhi said that it was a good and sound (hasan saheeh) hadeeth
Grade: Hasan Sahih

Open this hadith in the library

2. Understand

• Who narrated this hadith, and which book did Imam an-Nawawi take it from?
• What does it command, forbid or describe? Say it in one sentence of your own.
• Which words are the Prophet's own, and which are the narrator setting the scene?

Take the explanation of this hadith from a qualified teacher or a recognised commentary. The aim here is that you know the text precisely before you hear it explained.

3. Reflect

Where does this hadith meet your own life this week? Write it in the notes box on the hadith's page; only you can see it.

4. Memorise

Learn the Prophet's words in Arabic, phrase by phrase, aloud. When you can recite them without looking, mark the hadith Memorised and it will be scheduled for revision.

5. Act

Choose one specific thing to do, or to stop doing, because of this hadith. Small and kept is better than large and dropped.