This chapter forbids tatayyur, the pre-Islamic habit of reading bad luck into birds, days, sounds, or chance events and then changing your plans out of fear. The Arabic title names it directly. Such belief assigns power over good and harm to created things rather than to Allah, so it sits at odds with sincere reliance on Him alone.
Watch the balance the Prophet strikes. He cancels the superstition of contagion-as-fate and evil omens, yet he welcomes the fa'l, the good and hopeful word that lifts the heart. The closing hadith gives the believer's practical remedy: when something unwelcome stirs unease, do not retreat, but turn to Allah with a du'a affirming that only He brings good and only He wards off harm.
Hadith 1674
Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) said:
عن أنس رضي الله عنه قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : "لا عدوى ولا طِيَرة ويعجبني الفأل" قالوا: وما الفأل؟ قال: "كلمة طيبة" ((متفق عليه)).
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "Not the transmission of disease of one person to another and no evil omen, but I am pleased with good omens." He was asked: "What is good omen?" He replied, "A good word." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
In plain words
The Prophet set aside belief in automatic contagion and evil omens, but welcomed a good and hopeful word that lifts the heart. Optimism is encouraged; superstition is not.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 1674 In-book reference : Book 17, Hadith 164
Hadith 1675
Ibn 'Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) said:
وعن ابن عمر رضي الله عنهما قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : "لا عدوى ولا طِيَرة، وإن كان الشؤم في شيء ففي الدار والمرأة، والفرس" ((متفق عليه)).
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "There is no infection and no evil omen; but if there is anything (that may be a source of trouble) then it could be a house, a horse, and a woman." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
In plain words
He again denied that disease spreads by itself or that omens hold power, noting that if anything were a source of trouble it might be a house, a horse, or a woman. Reject superstition, do not fear created things.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 1675 In-book reference : Book 17, Hadith 165
Hadith 1676
Buraidah (May Allah be pleased with him) said:
وعن بريدة رضي الله عنه أن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم كان لا يتطير. ((رواه أبو داود بإسناد صحيح))
The Prophet never took ill omens. [Abu Dawud].
In plain words
A brief report that the Prophet himself never took bad omens from events, modelling freedom from superstition.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 1676 In-book reference : Book 17, Hadith 166
Hadith 1677
'Urwah bin 'Amir (May Allah be pleased with him) said:
وعن عروة بن عامر رضي الله عنه قال: ذكرت الطِيَرة عند رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم فقال: "أحسنها الفأل، ولا ترد مسلمًا فإذا رأى أحدكم ما يكره، فليقل: اللهم لا يأتي بالحسنات إلا أنت، ولا يدفع السيئات إلا أنت، ولا حول ولا قوة إلا بك" .((حديث صحيح رواه أبو داود بإسناد صحيح))
When talking of omens was mentioned in the presence of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) he said, "The best type of omen is the good omen." He added, "A Muslim should not refrain from anything because of an omen." He (ﷺ) told them, "When any of you sees anything which he dislikes, he should say: 'Allahuma la ya'ti bil-hasanati illa Anta, wa la yadfa'us- sayyi'ati illa Anta, wa la hawla wa la quwwata illa Bika (O Allah ! You Alone bring good things; You Alone avert evil things, and there is no might or power but in You)."' [Abu Dawud with Sahih Isnad].
In plain words
When omens were discussed, the Prophet praised the good, hopeful word and said a Muslim should not hold back from anything because of an omen. He taught a du'a affirming that only Allah brings good and wards off harm.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 1677 In-book reference : Book 17, Hadith 167