Peacemaking: Selections from the Hadith, Part 2 of 2

Let us continue with selections from Book 53 of Sahih al-Bukhari, a collection of the Hadith compiled by Imam Muhammad al-Bukhari and translated by Dr. M. Muhsin Khan. Here, the Prophet’s teachings focus on reconciliation, mediation, and resolving disputes among people to attain peace and harmony.

Book 53 Peacemaking

Chapter 10 Should the Imam suggest reconciliation?

Sahih al-Bukhari 2705

“Narrated Aisha: Once Allah’s Messenger (Peace be upon Him) heard the loud voices of some opponents quarreling at the door. One of them was appealing to the other to deduct his debt and asking him to be lenient but the other was saying, ‘By Allah, I will not do so.’ Allah’s Messenger (Peace be upon Him) went out to them and said, ‘Who is the one who was swearing by Allah that he would not do a favor?’ That man said, ‘I am that person, O Allah’s Messenger (Peace be upon Him)! I will give my opponent whatever he wishes.’”

Sahih al-Bukhari 2706

“Narrated `Abdullah bin Ka`b bin Malik from Ka`b bin Malik: `Abdullah bin Abu Hadrad Al-Aslami owed Ka`b bin Malik some money. One day, the latter met the former and demanded his right, and their voices grew very loud. The Prophet (Peace be upon Him) passed by them and said, ‘O Ka`b,’ beckoning with His hand as if intending to say, ‘Deduct half the debts.’ So, Ka`b took half what the other owed him and remitted the other half.”

Chapter 11 The superiority of making peace and establishing justice among the people

“Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah’s Messenger (Peace be upon Him) said, ‘There is a Sadaqa to be given for every joint of the human body; and for every day on which the Sun rises there is a reward of a Sadaqa (namely charitable gift) for the one who establishes justice among people.’”