The Prohibition of Punishing with Fire (12 Benefits)

[Moosaa.Richardson]

Hadeeth Study: Only Allaah Punishes With Fire

Imaam Aboo Daawood (may Allaah have Mercy on him) collected three hadeeths in a chapter of his Sunan called “The Detestable Nature of Burning the Opposing Forces (in Military Confrontation) With Fire.”

The first two hadeeths narrated by Aboo Hamzah al-Aslamee (#2673) and Aboo Hurayrah (#2674) – may Allaah be pleased with them – include the following clear prohibition:

لا يعذب بالنار إلا رب النار

“No one may punish using fire other than the Lord of the Fire (Allaah).”

The third hadeeth narrated by ‘Abdullaah ibn Mas’ood (#2675) – may Allaah be pleased with him - includes the wording:

إنه لا ينبغي أن يعذب بالنار إلا رب النار

“It is not befitting for anyone to punish using fire, other than the Lord of the Fire (Allaah).”

All three hadeeths were classified as “saheeh” (authentic) by Shaykh Al-Albaanee (may Allaah have Mercy on him) in his checking of the Sunan. In Silsilat al-Ahaadeeth as-Saheehah (#487), he adds a discussion of the authentic narration of when ‘Alee, the fourth Caliph of the Muslims, ordered some people to face the death penalty by fire. When news of this reached Ibn ‘Abbaas, he disapproved of the decision and relayed a hadeeth of the Prophet (may Allaah raise his rank and grant him peace) with a similar wording:

لا تعذبوا بعذاب الله

“Do not punish with the punishment of Allaah!”

It was collected by Imaam al-Bukhaaree in his Saheeh (#3017).

Imaam at-Tirmithee also collected it in his Jaami’ (#1458), adding that when this comment got back to ‘Alee, he said, “Ibn ‘Abbaas has spoken correctly.”

IMPORTANT BENEFITS:

[1] The narrations clearly prove the impermissibility of harming or killing people with fire, in both wars and punishments for crimes, as understood and narrated by at least four of the Companions.

[2] Allaah is the only One who has the right to punish anyone with fire.

[3] The Hellfire is a created thing, created by Allaah and prepared as a punishment for the disbelievers and the sinful. Since Allaah created the Fire, he is referred to as the “Lord of the Fire.”

[4] Allaah’s Legislation is all-inclusive and governs all our interactions. While it is permissible to kill harmful insects in general, it is not permissible to burn them, as the hadeeth of Ibn Mas’ood was narrated when the Prophet (may Allaah raise his rank and grant him peace) noticed an anthill that had been burned down. He showed concern for it and forbade his Companions from killing ants by fire. He (may Allaah raise his rank and grant hiim peace) was indeed a Mercy to all of the creation.

[5] Some scholars consider electricity to be a manifestation of fire, or close enough to it to share its ruling. Shaykh Ibn Baaz (may Allaah have mercy on him) issued a fatwaa (religious verdict)...

Complete article: http://www.bakkah.net/en/hadeeth-stu...-with-fire.htm