Question:
What is meant by the term التنطع (At-tanattu’) in the following Hadith:
Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam) has said: ‘Ruined are those who insist on hardship in matters of the Faith’.
Answer:
Perhaps you are referring to the Hadith, هلك المتنطعون, which Imam Muslim and others (rahimahumullah) have recorded on the authority of Sayyiduna Ibn Mas’ud (radiyallahu ‘anhu).
(Sahih Muslim, Hadith: 2670)
Regarding this Hadith, the commentators of Hadith have mentioned a variety of different possible meanings for the word المتنطعون. Hereunder are a few:
- Those who take pains in coming across as more eloquent in their speech.
- Those who attempt to abnormally/unnaturally speak [deeper] from the bottom of their throat [or from their gut].
- Those who indulge and immerse themselves in such conversation that does not concern or pertain to them.
- Those who constantly inquire about intricate and difficult issues of jurisprudence that by nature are extremely farfetched and would rarely ever occur.
- Those who, due to extremism, are excessive in worship and have left the bounds of Shari’ah. [i.e. They have engaged in such actions that are neither commended nor acknowledged as virtuous by our Shari’ah]
- Those who transgress the bounds of Shari’ah through either their actions, statements, or both.
(Refer: Al-Minhaj, Hadith: 6725, Sharh Ibn Raslan, Hadith: 4608, Mirqat, Hadith: 4785, Faydhul Qadir, Hadith: 9594; Also see: Fathul Mulhim, Hadith: 6725)
For further explanations, commentary and detail, kindly refer to the aforementioned sources along with the other books of Hadith commentary.
And Allah Ta’ala knows best.
Answered by: Moulana Farhan Shariff
Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar,
Every aspect of our Din is simple and easy. One should avoid making it difficult on one’s self or on others.