Question
How do the scholars interpret this Hadith?
‘Abdullah ibn Buraydah (rahimahullah) said: ‘I entered upon Mu’awiyah (radiyallahu ‘anhu) with my father. Mu’awiyah (radiyallahu ‘anhu) made us sit on a mattress then he brought food to us and we ate. Then he brought drink to us. Mu’awiyah (radiyallahu ‘anhu) drank and then he offered that to my father, thus my father said: ‘I never drank it since the messenger of Allah made it impermissible…”
Musnad Ahmad, volume. 5 page. 347
Answer
Firstly, The correct translation is as follows:
‘Abdullah ibn Buraydah (rahimahullah) said: ‘My father and I entered upon Mu’awiyah (radiyallahu ‘anhu). Mu’awiyah (radiyallahu ‘anhu) made us sit on mattresses, brought us food and we ate. He then brought drink. Mu’awiyah (radiyallahu ‘anhu) drank and offered my father. Mu’awiyah (radiyallahu ‘anhu) then said, ‘I have never drank it since the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) declared it impermissible…”
‘Allamah Sindhi (rahimahullah) explains that when people gathered with leaders/the Ameer, wine would usually be served. Mu’awiyah (radiyallahu ‘anhu) therefore excused himself for not serving wine by saying he never drank wine since it was made impermissible. [This is what was meant by: ‘I have never drank it since…’ i.e, therefore I haven’t served it either].
As understood from the same Hadith, Mu’awiyah (radiyallahu ‘anhu) had actually served them milk.
(Musnad Ahmad, vol. 5 pg. 347, Hashiyatus Sindhi ‘Ala Musnadil Imam Ahmad, vol. 5 pg. 336)
Some Scholars have mentioned that it is possible Sayyiduna Buraydah (radiyallahu ‘anhu) assumed that the drink Sayyiduna Mu’awiyah (radiyallahu ‘anhu) served was an impermissible one. Mu’awiyah (radiyallahu ‘anhu) therefore cleared the air.
Another version
Secondly, this Hadith is recorded in Musannaf ibn Abi Shaybah with the exact same chain. This version in Musannaf does not have mention of the contentious statement.
The wording of the version in Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah under the chapter ‘Speaking to the leaders and entering upon them’ is as follows:
‘Abdullah ibn Buraydah (rahimahullah) said: ‘My father and I entered upon Mu’awiyah (radiyallahu ‘anhu). Mu’awiyah (radiyallahu ‘anhu) made my father sit on the bed, brought us food and we ate. He then brought drink. Mu’awiyah (radiyallahu ‘anhu) then said, ‘I don’t take enjoyment [now] from anything I used to take enjoyment from when I was a youngster, except for milk, for I drink it now just as I used to and [I enjoy] good speech [just as I used to enjoy it].”
(Musannf Ibn Abi Shaybah, Hadith: 31201)
‘Allamah Haythami (rahimahullah) has declared the narrators of Musnad Ahmad reliable, but has intentionally omitted the part “Mu’awiyah (radiyallahu ‘anhu) then said, ‘I have never drank it since the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) declared it impermissible.’” (وفي كلام معاوية شيء تركته)
(Majma’uz Zawaid, vol. 5 pg. 42)
This could be due to the fact that this sentence could potentially be misunderstood.
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.
Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala
Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar