Muslim scholars and the authors of the sihah and masanid...

Muslim scholars and the authors of the sihah and masanid have also cited many cases in which the holy Prophet had sworn by other than God: In his Musnad , Ahmad Ibn Hanbal the leader of the Hanbaliyyah School of law quotes the Messenger of God as having said, I swear by my life that enjoining to do good and prohibiting from evil is much better than remaining silent.[1] In his Sahih, one of the six authentic books of the Sunnis, Muslim Ibn Hajjaj quotes the following: A man came to the Prophet peace be upon him and his descendants and asked him, Which gift of charity deserves the greatest reward?

The Prophet said: By your fathers life, you will surely know it: the one that you give while you are sound in body, desiring (to withhold your money), fearful of becoming poor, and hopeful of living to be old.[2] There are, however, some people who disregard the Prophets manifest deed referred to above, and baselessly accuse the majority of Muslims of being polytheists, just because the latter consider swearing by other than God as permissible.

In addition to the Book of God, and the Prophets Sunnah manifest proof concerning this matter can also be found in the life and manners of his close associates: `Ali, the Commander of the Faithful, (a.s) swore by his own life: I swear by my own life that your affliction will multiply after me.[3] Also, I swear by my life that if you do not give up your wrong ways and wicked acts, you will surely know those who are seeking you.[4] [1] Musnad Ahmad, vol. 5, pp. 224-5, Bashir b.

Khasasiyyah al-Sundusi's tradition. [2] Sahih Muslim, part 3, printed in Egypt; the book al-Zakat; sub-section Bayan Inna Afdal al-Sadaqa al-Sahih al-Shahih, pp. 93-4 [3] Muhammad `Abduh's Nahj al-Balaghah, sermon 161. [4] Ibid. Letter No. 9; See also sermons 168, 182, 187, and letters number 6 and 54.

With so many narrations and texts available, it is clear that no verdict or opinion can ever pose a threat, nor can any other justifications mar Gods standing mentioned in the Quran, or that of the Prophets close companions such as the Commander of the Faithful, and accuse them of polytheism. Conclusion The above reasons clearly prove that it is a legal principle to swear by other than God.

From the Book of God, the Prophets Sunnah, and the believers way of life, it is understood that such an act is compatible with monotheism.