Hadith 9

Ease in Commands

ما نهيتكم عنه فاجتنبوه

مَا نَهَيْتُكُمْ عَنْهُ فَاجْتَنِبُوهُ، وَمَا أَمَرْتُكُمْ بِهِ فَأْتُوا مِنْهُ مَا اسْتَطَعْتُمْ

Translation

What I have forbidden you from, avoid it. And what I have commanded you with, do as much of it as you are able.

Narrated by

Abu Hurairah

أبو هريرة رضي الله عنه

Source

Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim

صحيح البخاري وصحيح مسلم

Explanation

This hadith demonstrates the mercy in Islamic law. Prohibitions must be completely avoided (as avoiding harm takes precedence), while commands should be followed to the best of one's ability.

Key Lessons

  • 1Prohibitions are absolute - avoid them completely
  • 2Commands consider human capacity
  • 3Islam does not burden beyond ability
  • 4Avoiding harm takes precedence over gaining benefit