Brief Comments of Shaikh Ibn Baaz on Saheeh al-Bukhaaree #8

Starting From The Older Person

بـسـم الله والحـمـد لله والـصلاة والـسـلام عــلى رسـول الله، وبـعـد

Imaam al-Bukhaaree رحمه الله said:

Book of Ablution: Chapter: Giving the siwak to the older person

`Abdullaah bin `Umar reported Allaah's Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم as saying: “I saw in a dream that I was using miswaak and the two persons came to me (and contended to get it from me), one of them was older than the other one. I gave the miswak to the younger one. It was said to me to give that to the older one^[1] and I gave it to the older one.” [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree in “Mu`allaq” form in the chapter heading. Also reported by Imaam Muslim with a complete chain (4216 & 7145)]

Haafidh ibn Hajar mentioned in Fath al-Baaree that al-Muhallib said: This is when the people in the gathering are not sitting in an arranged order. ^[2]

Shaikh Ibn Baaz رحمه الله said:

[1] Giving the gift to the older one is the Sunnah, and Allaah knows best, when a person can’t give it to everyone (in the gathering). But if he can distribute it, then he should distribute it to everyone. For example when he has some money or some fruits or any such thing, and there are two people with him, then he should not give it to the older one and leave out the younger one. Rather, he should give it to both of them, starting with the older one. Furthermore, in the case of drinks, then should begin with the one on his right, as it will go around everybody as per the convenience.

It was asked to the Shaikh: Should we begin with the older, then the one on his right or from our right?

He replied: Drinking containers or any similar (liquid) thing should begin with the person on the right, at all times. But as for this (above mentioned narration), then the persons might have been in front of him or in any other direction.

Then it was asked to him about the Hadeeth, “If you serve the drinks, then begin with the older ones”? He said: I do not know of its origin. There are (other) Saheeh Ahaadeeth which clarify that it has to be begun from the right side.

The Shaikh further mentioned the Hadeeth of “the blood money” (al-Qisaamah) [al-Bukhaaree (3173, 6142, 7192) and Muslim (4119, 4123)] and in it is “kabbir, kabbir” (i.e. Let the older (among you) speak first). So, if the people of rivalry are in a group, then the oldest one will speak first.

[2] The Shaikh said: The issue of distributing gifts is different from that of giving drinks, which can be passed around.

He further said: The gift is something which can be given to all, if they are present. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم used to distribute wealth to the Ansaars in the Masjid.

And he said: this is similar to the saying of Allaah تعالى:

{And when the relatives and the orphans and the needy are present at the time of division, give them out of the property} [Surah al-Nisaa’ (4):8]

Reference:

الحلل الإبريزية من التعليقات البازية على صحيح البخاري