The Sunnah of Careful Consideration
By: Faysal Burhan Published: 2002
Allah, the Almighty, said:
Do they not earnestly investigate, ponder, and study the Qur’an (to understand its guidance and benefits), or are their hearts locked up (they cannot see its illuminating light and guidance.) Qur’an, 47:24
The Sunnah of al-Tathabbut is the investigative and study approach to action-taking or resolving a problem. It follows a method that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and his household exercised and brought about as a Sunnah, a way of life, for his followers. When A’isha, the Prophet’s wife, was asked how the Prophet (PBUH) had conducted his affairs, she responded:
His deeds and actions were continuous and stable. -Muslim
In a different narration, she said:
When the household of the Prophet conducted an affair, (they conducted it with careful consideration, tathabbut).
The Arabic word Tathabbut is used for a comprehensive evaluation and analysis of a matter before a conclusion or a resolution is made. A judge, for example, will not give his verdict before thoroughly studying, investigating, and examining the case. This process is called tathabbut. Furthermore, the Prophet (PBUH) also said:
Cautions and careful consideration is from Allah, and haste is from Satan. -Muslim
In another tradition (hadith), the Prophet (PBUH) cautioned against doing something without consideration of its results or impact. For example, see below the following hadith of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
If you are going to do something, consider its consequences carefully. (if the result is good, consider doing it, but if it is flawed, do not. Modify it, find other alternatives, and conduct further studies that would yield successful results). -Masnad Abi Ya’la
The previous three sayings of the wisdom of the Prophet (PBUH) strongly point out that the Sunnah of tathabbut is elemental for every true believer. Therefore, Muslims must not underestimate the underlying value of this precious Sunnah in constructing the Muslim Ummah’s various moral, social, economic, and political building blocks.
