Then the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) commanded anyone who is wounded not to seek retaliation until his wound heals. When his wound heals, he can seek retaliation

Then the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) commanded anyone who is wounded not to seek retaliation until his wound heals. When his wound heals, he can seek retaliation

‘Amr ibn Shu‘ayb reported from his father from his grandfather: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) judged a man who stabbed another man with a horn in his leg. The stabbed one said: "O Messenger of Allah, allow me retaliation." The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Do not be hasty (but wait) until your wound heals." The man insisted that he wanted retaliation. Therefore, the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) allowed him. Later, the one who insisted on retaliation became lame and the one against whom retaliation was brought recovered. The one who was allowed retaliation came to the Messenger of Allah and said: "I became lame and my companion recovered!" So, the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Did I not order you not to seek retaliation until your wound heals? However, you disobeyed me. May Allah keep you away (from recovery) and may your wound deserve no (blood money in) compensation." Then the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) commanded anyone who is wounded not to seek retaliation until his wound heals. When his wound heals, he can seek retaliation. That was after the incident of that man who became lame.

[Authentic hadith] [Narrated by Ahmad]

Explanation

This Hadīth tells the story of a man who hit another man with a horn from the skull of an animal. The victim asked the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) to bring retaliation against the attacker. However, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) asked him to wait until his wound would heal, for it was unknown whether the wound would heal or the entire body would get affected, leading to death. However, the man insisted on retaliation. So the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) allowed retaliation against the attacker, who later on recovered, whereas the victim became lame. The victim complained about that to the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) who, therefore, told him that he was hasty and did not agree to delay the procedure, and so lost his right to the blood money. He prayed against him to discipline him for his hastiness and non-compliance with his order. Then, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) commanded that retaliation should be delayed until wounds heal.

Categories

Retribution