Doubtful Vs Certainty
On the authority of Abu Muhammad al-Hasan bin Ali bin Abi Taib, the grandson of the Messenger of Allah, sallallahu ëalayhi wasallam, and who is very dear to him, radiyallahu ëanhuma, who said: ìI committed to memory from the Messenger of Allah, sallallahu ëalayhi wasallam, (the following words):
“Leave that about which you are in doubt for that about which you are in no doubt.”
[Al-Tirmidhi and al-Nasaíi related it, and al-Tirmidhi said: It is a good and genuine Hadith]
This prophetic narration goes in line with Hadith 6. In this prophetic narration the Prophet, sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam, has set a criterion by which Muslims can decide whether something is permissible or impermissible. There is another version of this prophetic narration where the Prophet, sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam, elaborated further by saying: “Verily, truth is tranquillity and falsehood is doubt.” This implies that the truth will lead to tranquillity and falsehood will lead to doubt.
Thus the criterion set by the Prophet, sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam, allows us to ascertain what is false or wrong (i.e. something which causes us to be doubtful) and what is the truth (i.e. something which we are sure of and confident that it is correct because we feel delighted and at peace with it).
This prophetic narration lays down a principle that can be applied in all aspects of one’s life. It also shows the way to truth and righteousness. Thus, this prophetic narration is of extreme importance. This prophetic narration indicates that one should only perform an act or deed (which is permissible and proper) if he is positive or certain of it. Performing this act will result to some kind of tranquillity or happiness in this life and in the Hereafter – this is one of the benefits of applying the prophetic narration.
In the other version of this prophetic narration mentioned above, falsehood leads to doubt and never to tranquillity. So if a believer finds his heart being disturbed by something (i.e. he feels uncertain or doubtful), then he should stay far away from it. The heart of the true believer is tranquil at the very sight of truth and righteousness. And the heart becomes unsure and shaky at the sight of the falsehood and wrong.
We can conclude that this criterion is applicable only to the guided righteous Muslim who is enlightened by wahi, i.e. the Qur’an and Sunnah, and is adhering to this guidance. If a Muslim is indulging in the forbidden or impermissible acts, this criterion will not work for him because his heart will not be sensitive to what it faces.The criterion of the prophetic narration is activated by certain conditions or pre-requisites: knowledge, iman, adhering to the enlightenment of the wahi, etc. In other words, this criterion can only exist if the person is adhering to the commands of Allah subhana wa ta’ala, the commands of the Prophet, sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam, following the revelation, etc. Only then can a person attain such a status or level. But for those who indulge in muharramat (proscriptions), do not observe wajibat (obligations) , etc., this criterion will not be activated. Even if the criterion does exist, it will not be reliable.