Fatwa ID: 01341

Answered by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah

Question:

Explanation of the hadith where it says that Yazid is forgiven

Answer:

In the name of Allah, the most Beneficent, the most Merciful.

Khalid Bin Madan narrates that Umair Bin Al Aswad told him that he went to

Ubadah Bin Samit while he was staying in his house at the sea shore of Hims with Umm Haram. Umair said, “Umm Haram informed us that she heard the Prophet of Allah saying, “Paradise is granted to the first batch of followers who will undertake a naval expedition.” Umm Haram added: “I said, “O Prohet of Allah! Will I be amongst them? He replied “You are amongst them.” The Prophet of Allah  said “The first army amongst my followers who will invade Caesars City will be forgiven their sins. I asked: “Will I be one of them, O Prophet of Allah!” He replied in the negative. (Sahih Bukhari p.409 v.1)

In the aforementioned scenario, it says that those who participated in conquering Caesars City will be forgiven. However, from the books of history and seerah it tells us that Yazid Bin Muawiyah was the leader of this army who conquered the city. This leads to an objection as the hadith of Bukhari is telling us that he is forgiven whereas he martyred Saaiduna Hussain .

Imam Muhalab has said that the hadith of Sahih Bukhari is establishing Yazid’s virtues, however, Ibn Teen and Ibn Munayr disagree and say the meaning of the hadith is that the participants are forgiven if they are worthy of forgiveness. (which would not apply in the case of Yazid)

Hadhrat Shaikh Zakariya is of the opinion that the aforementioned hadith applies to Yazid’s forgiveness for his previous sins and does not apply to what he did thereafter, in terms of killing Saaiduna Hussain Radiallahu Anhu. (Extracted from Durre Mandhuud p.301 v.4)

With regards to cursing Yazid, Molana Rashid Ahmad Gongohi (RA) has said that it is best to refrain from it. (Durre Mandhuud p.302 v.4)    

Only Allah Knows Best

Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham.