Hadith Translation & Explanation: “Gatherings are With Trust”
Disclaimer: This hadith is taken from زاد الطالبين (Provisions for the Seekers) originally written by Shaykh Maulana Muhammad Ashiq Ilahi al-Bulandshehri in Arabic. Provision for the Seekers is the English version, with the translation and additional commentary by Abdur Rahman ibn Yusuf. No copyright infringement intended whatsoever. All rights belong to the publisher(s).
Original & Translation
اَلمَجَالِسُ بِالأمَانَةِ
Gatherings are with trust [amaanah]. / Gatherings are to be kept in confidence.
Note: This hadith appears in Sunan Abi Dawood.
Sentence Analysis (Tarkeeb)
اَلمَجَالِسُ means gathering, place of sitting, meeting of people
The harf (particle) بِ usually means “with”. Huroof (particles) in Arabic obtain their meanings through context.
الأمَانَةِ means trust, something kept in confidence or security
اَلمَجَالِسُ is the mubtada (subject).
بِ is the harf jarr and الأمَانَةِ is its majroor. بِالأمَانَةِ forms a murakkab jaarri. This murakkab (phrase) is muta’alliq bil khabr (linking to khabr) and qaa’im muqaam khabr (substitute khabr), since there is no actual khabr (predicate).
The mubtada and the qaa’im muqaam khabr together form jumla ismiyyah khabriyyah (nominal sentence).
Commentary
Generally speaking, we as a society adopt the practice of sharing someone’s information, gossiping. We do this unless that person bids us to not share with another. Right?
However, the hadith “gatherings are with trust” goes against this norm and teaches us a way for us to be trustworthy. Whoever you meet with and they tell you something, by default you cannot share that information. Unless they explicitly say that you can pass on the information.
Note that something basic and general or something that would not affect that person (e.g. discussing the weather) can be shared. Knowing these differences and refraining from this act is your responsibility.
This could be in the form of what one hears and sees in a gathering or meeting. Spreading rumours, gossiping, backbiting are all included in breaking this trust for which you are responsible.
As the remainder of the narration states, three things are exempted from this. These are plans to murder, rape a woman, or to usurp someone’s wealth. Also, there is the case when you know that a certain person or persons bring harm or exploitation. When this negative trait is discussed about this person(s), in order to inform close family or friends about staying away from them, then it can be shared for protection from that person(s).
See also “backbiting is worse than zina (illegal intercourse).”
Additional Note:
In addition to the disclaimer, please note that I have not created this information. Rather, I have shared my notes on what was taught to me by my reputable teachers as I am a student of the deen (religion) Islam. All thanks to Allah, the Most High. Any mistake, misuse, or misinterpretation of the teachings would be entirely due to my lack of knowledge. If you have any questions or concerns about these notes, please feel free to leave a comment below or reach me privately through my blog here or @hadithexplained on Twitter.
