Riyad as-Salihin · Chapter 283

Prohibition of Chastisement with Fire

باب تحريم التعذيب بالنار في كل حيوان حتى القملة ونحوها

This chapter draws one sharp line, punishment by fire belongs to God alone, and is not for human hands to use against any living thing, down to the smallest insect. The Prophet (peace be upon him) corrects his own companions when they reach for fire, teaching that some forms of harm are reserved to the Lord of the Fire and forbidden to us.

The two reports show this principle in motion, an order to burn enemies is withdrawn and replaced, and a burnt ant-hill draws a firm rebuke. Alongside it runs a tender mercy even toward a distressed mother bird. The believer's anger and even warfare have limits set by the dignity God placed in His creation.

Hadith 1609

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) said:

عن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه قال‏:‏ بعثنا رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم في بعث فقال‏:‏ ‏"‏إن وجدتم فلانًا وفلانًا‏"‏ لرجلين من قريش سماهما ‏"‏فأحرقوهما بالنار‏"‏ ثم قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم حين أردنا الخروج‏:‏ ‏"‏إني كنت أمرتكم أن تحرقوا فلانًا وفلانًا، وإن النار لا يعذب بها إلا الله، فإن وجدتموهما فاقتلوهما‏"‏ ‏(‏‏(‏رواه البخاري‏)‏‏)‏‏.‏

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) sent us on an expedition and said to us, "If you find so- and-so (he named two persons belonging to the Quraish) commit them to the fire." When we were on the verge of departure, he said to us, "I ordered you to burn so-and-so, but it is Allah Alone Who punishes with the fire. So if you find them put them to death." [Al- Bukhari].

In plain words

The Prophet (peace be upon him) first ordered enemies burned, then withdrew it, saying only Allah punishes with fire, so they should be put to death another way. Punishment by fire belongs to Allah alone.

Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 1609 In-book reference : Book 17, Hadith 99

Hadith 1610

Ibn Mas'ud (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:

وعن ابن مسعود رضي الله عنه قال‏:‏ كنا مع رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم في سفر، فانطلق لحاجته، فرأينا حمرة معها فرخان، فأخذنا فرخيها، فجاءت الحمرة فجعلت تعرش فجاء النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم فقال‏:‏ ‏"‏من فجع هذه بولدها‏؟‏ ردوا ولدها إليها‏"‏ ورأى قرية نمل قد حرقناها، فقال‏:‏ ‏"‏من حرق هذه‏؟‏‏"‏ قلنا‏:‏ نحن‏.‏ قال‏:‏ ‏"‏إنه لا ينبغي أن يعذِّب بالنار إلا رب النار‏"‏‏.‏ قوله‏:‏ ‏ ‏قرية نمل‏ ‏ معناه‏:‏ موضع النمل مع النمل.‏

We were with the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) in a journey when he drew apart (to relieve nature). In his absence, we saw a red bird which had two young ones with it. We caught them and the red mother bird came, beating the earth with its wings. In the meantime the Prophet (ﷺ) returned and said, "Who has put this bird to distress on account of its young? Return them to her." He (ﷺ) also noticed a mound of ants which we had burnt up. He asked, "Who has set fire to this?" We replied: "We have done so." He (ﷺ) said, "None can chastise with fire except the Rubb of the fire." [Abu Dawud].

In plain words

The Prophet (peace be upon him) was distressed that a mother bird was robbed of her young and that an ant-hill had been burned, teaching that only the Lord of fire may punish with it. His mercy reached even the smallest creatures.

Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 1610 In-book reference : Book 17, Hadith 100