We returned from the greater jihad, and whoever learns the language of a people is safe from their treachery
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Fatwa number ( 585 ):
Q: Regarding the authenticity of the two reports commonly on people's tongues,
one of which is: what is attributed to the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), that he said after returning from one of his expeditions: , and the second is: what is likewise attributed to him, namely his saying: .
A: As for the first hadith, which is narrated from the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) that he said after returning from one of his expeditions: , it was mentioned by al-Ghazali in his book: [Sharh 'Ajayib al-Qulub min al-Ihya], in the chapter: "Clarification of the evidences from transmission from the people of insight, and the evidences from the Shari'ah that the path to treating the diseases of the hearts is abandoning desires." And al-Iraqi said in his book: [Al-Mughni 'an Haml al-Asfar fi al-Asfar fi Takhrij ma fi al-Ihya min al-Akhabar], he said: The hadith was narrated by al-Bayhaqi in [Al-Zuhd] from the hadith of Jabir , and he said: This is a chain with weakness in it. And al-Manawi said in [Fayd al-Qadir Sharh al-Jami' al-Saghir] after mentioning the hadith, he said: It was narrated - that is: from Jabir - by al-Bayhaqi also in the book [Al-Zuhd], which is a small volume, and he said: Its chain is weak, and al-Iraqi followed him. End of quote. And al-Suyuti transmitted in [Al-Durar al-Muntatharah] from Ibn Hajar , that he said in his book [Tasdid al-Qaws] in his discussion of this hadith: (It is well-known
on the tongues, and it is from the words of Ibrahim ibn Abi 'Abillah in [Al-Kuna] by al-Nasa'i) end of quote. As for the hadith: "Whoever learns the language of a people is safe from their treachery," we did not find it in what we have looked through of the books of the people of hadith, and it is perhaps the saying of some of the Salaf, and its meaning is correct, for whoever learns the language of a people and sits with them, he knows what they talk about, so he is safe from their treachery. As for what it implies of encouraging the learning of foreign languages, it is prescribed when there is a need. It is established that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) ordered Zayd ibn Thabit to learn the language of the Jews; so that he would be a trusted and reliable intermediary between him and the Jews in conveying his words to them and their words to him. And success is from Allah. And may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his Companions.
Q: Regarding the authenticity of the two reports commonly on people's tongues,
one of which is: what is attributed to the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), that he said after returning from one of his expeditions:
We returned from the lesser jihad to the greater jihad
رجعنا من الجهاد الأصغر إلى الجهاد الأكبرWhoever learns the language of a people is safe from their treachery
من تعلم لغة قوم أمن مكرهمA: As for the first hadith, which is narrated from the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) that he said after returning from one of his expeditions:
We returned from the lesser jihad to the greater jihad. They said: What is the greater jihad? He said: The jihad of the heart
رجعنا من الجهاد الأصغر إلى الجهاد الأكبر، قالوا: وما الجهاد الأكبر؟ قال: جهاد القلبWe returned from the lesser jihad to the greater jihad
رجعنا من الجهاد الأصغر إلى الجهاد الأكبرon the tongues, and it is from the words of Ibrahim ibn Abi 'Abillah in [Al-Kuna] by al-Nasa'i) end of quote. As for the hadith: "Whoever learns the language of a people is safe from their treachery," we did not find it in what we have looked through of the books of the people of hadith, and it is perhaps the saying of some of the Salaf, and its meaning is correct, for whoever learns the language of a people and sits with them, he knows what they talk about, so he is safe from their treachery. As for what it implies of encouraging the learning of foreign languages, it is prescribed when there is a need. It is established that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) ordered Zayd ibn Thabit to learn the language of the Jews; so that he would be a trusted and reliable intermediary between him and the Jews in conveying his words to them and their words to him. And success is from Allah. And may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his Companions.
Source
www.alifta.gov.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.