What is the meaning of the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him): "When people disagree, hold to the majority"? Is it authentic?
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The questioner : Your Eminence, may Allah preserve you.
The Shaykh : Yes.
The questioner : What is the meaning of the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him):? And is this report authentic?
The Shaykh : It appears that this is valid as a mawquf (stopping at a Companion) but not valid as a marfu' (traced to the Prophet). Its meaning is that when people disagree on something, the majority, meaning the greater number, is closer to the truth. This does not mean that the opinion of the majority is always the truth, but rather that it is closer to it. The truth may be with the minority. For this reason, there is something to consider in this hadith, even from the perspective of its meaning. Yes.
The Shaykh : Yes.
The questioner : What is the meaning of the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him):
When people disagree, hold to the majority
إذا اختلف الناس فعليكم بالسواد الأعظمThe Shaykh : It appears that this is valid as a mawquf (stopping at a Companion) but not valid as a marfu' (traced to the Prophet). Its meaning is that when people disagree on something, the majority, meaning the greater number, is closer to the truth. This does not mean that the opinion of the majority is always the truth, but rather that it is closer to it. The truth may be with the minority. For this reason, there is something to consider in this hadith, even from the perspective of its meaning. Yes.