Riyad as-Salihin, 587

An-Nu'man bin Bashir (May Allah be pleased with them) reported:

Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "What is lawful is clear and what is unlawful is clear, but between them are certain doubtful things which many people do not know. So he who guards against doubtful things keeps his religion and his honour blameless. But he who falls into doubtful things falls into that which is unlawful, just as a shepherd who grazes his cattle in the vicinity of a pasture declared prohibited (by the king); he is likely to stray into the pasture. Mind you, every king has a protected pasture and Allah's involved limits is that which He has declared unlawful. Verily, there is a piece of flesh in the body, if it is healthy, the whole body is healthy, and if it is corrupt, the whole body is corrupt. Verily, it is the heart." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

وعن النعمان بن بشير رضي الله عنهما قال‏:‏ سمعت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يقول‏:‏ “إن الحلال بين، وإن الحرام بين، وبينهما مشتبهات لا يعلمهن كثير من الناس، فمن اتقى الشبهات، استبرأ لدينه وعرضه، ومن وقع فى الشبهات، وقع فى الحرام، كالراعى يرعى حول الحمى يوشك أن يرتع فيه ألا وإن لكل ملك حمى، ألا وإن حمى الله محارمه، ألا وإن فى الجسد مضغة إذا صلحت صلح الجسد كله، وإذا فسدت فسد الجسد كله‏:‏ ألا وهى القلب” ‏(‏‏(‏متفق عليه‏.‏ وروياه من طرق بألفاظ متقاربة‏)‏‏)‏

References1 variant

In-Book Reference: Introduction, Hadith 587

Sharh · explanationclick to expand

Guidance from the Hadith: 1) The prohibitions under the Shariah are protected by a tight fence, lest people fall into them. Each prohibition is surrounded by barriers that block access to it. 2) Whoever feels confused about some religious matter should leave it out of erring on the side of caution. 3) We are urged and instructed to seek knowledge, for it is a light through which we can see the truths that are unclear to many people. Sufyaan al-Thawri said: “Knowledge is that a scholar grants you a proper concession. As for giving the strictest opinion, anybody can do that well.” 4) A person’s righteousness or wickedness rests upon his heart. So, a Muslim should be careful to reform his heart, which can be achieved by fearing Allah Almighty in terms of constantly observing His commands and prohibitions. Words in the Hadith: Doubtful matters: confusing, because it is unclear whether they are lawful or unlawful. Restricted area: This is a place enclosed and guarded to prevent anyone from approaching.

Related hadiths8