Leave what you doubt for what you do not doubt; indeed, truthfulness is tranquility, and lying is doubt
عَنْ أَبِي الحَوْرَاءِ السَّعْدِيِّ قَالَ: قُلْتُ لِلْحَسَنِ بْنِ عَلِيٍّ رضي الله عنهما: مَا حَفِظْتَ مِنْ رَسُولِ اللهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ؟ قَالَ: حَفِظْتُ مِنْ رَسُولِ اللهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «دَعْ مَا يَرِيبُكَ إِلَى مَا لاَ يَرِيبُكَ، فَإِنَّ الصِّدْقَ طُمَأْنِينَةٌ، وَإِنَّ الكَذِبَ رِيبَةٌ».
Abu al-Hawrā’ as-Sa‘di reported: I said to Al-Hasan ibn ‘Ali (may Allah be pleased with him and his father): What did you memorize from the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him)? He said: I memorized from the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him): "Leave what you doubt for what you do not doubt; indeed, truthfulness is tranquility, and lying is doubt."
Narrated by At-Tirmidhi, An-Nasā’i, and AhmadGradeAuthentic
Explanation
The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) commanded that one should leave whatever words or deeds he has doubts about, whether they are prohibited or not, unlawful or lawful, and choose instead what is not doubtful—things whose goodness and lawfulness he is certain about, as such things bring tranquility and comfort to the heart, whereas whatever is doubtful sows anxiety and confusion in the heart.
Benefits
- A Muslim should set up his affairs upon certainty and leave whatever is doubtful and should be insightful regarding his religion.
- The prohibition of falling into suspicious matters.
- If you are seeking tranquility and comfort, then abandon what is doubtful and leave it aside.
- Allah is Merciful to His slaves, as He has commanded them with what brings comfort to the soul and mind and has forbidden them from what causes anxiety and confusion.
Reference
سنن النسائي (8/ 327) (5711). سنن الترمذي (4/ 286) (2518). مسند أحمد (3/ 248) (1723). التحفة الربانية في شرح الأربعين حديثًا النووية، لإسماعيل الأنصاري (ص29). شرح الأربعين النووية، لابن عثيمين (ص153). فتح القوي المتين في شرح الأربعين وتتمة الخمسين للنووي وابن رجب (ص56).