Musnad Ahmad ibn Hanbal: Book 5, Hadith 686

It was narrated that ‘Ali (رضي الله عنه) said: The Prophet (ﷺ) sent me to Yemen as a judge. I said: “Are you sending me to people when I am young and have no knowledge of judging?” He placed his hand on my chest and said: “May Allah make you steadfast and help you to get it right. If two disputants come to you, do not pass judgement in favour of the first one until you listen to what the other one has to say. That is more helpful and will enable you to reach the correct verdict.` Since then I have become a (good) judge.

It was narrated that `Ali bin Abi Talib (رضي الله عنه) said: The Prophet (ﷺ) sent me as a judge to Yemen (and he narrated the above). He said: “Allah will make your heart steadfast and guide your mind and heart.” (and he mentioned the hadeeth.)

A similar report was narrated from ‘Ali (رضي الله عنه).

حَدَّثَنَا عَبْد اللَّهِ، حَدَّثَنِي مُحْرِزُ بْنُ عَوْنِ بْنِ أَبِي عَوْنٍ، حَدَّثَنَا شَرِيكٌ، عَنْ سِمَاكٍ، عَنْ حَنَشٍ، عَنْ عَلِيٍّ، رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ بَعَثَنِي رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَاضِيًا فَقَالَ إِذَا جَاءَكَ الْخَصْمَانِ فَلَا تَقْضِ عَلَى أَحَدِهِمَا حَتَّى تَسْمَعَ مِنْ الْآخَرِ فَإِنَّهُ يَبِينُ لَكَ الْقَضَاءُ‏.‏

Musnad Ahmad ibn Hanbal: Book 5, Hadith 686

 
The above hadith is from the Musnad Ahmad ibn Hanbal collection of hadiths. Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal’s Musnad represents one of the largest and most significant early collections of prophetic traditions. This massive compilation is uniquely arranged by the names of the companions (Sahabah), devoting individual chapters to each one to consolidate all the narrations they are known to have transmitted. This approach offers profound insights into the teachings and actions of the Prophet Muhammad from the perspective of those who knew him best. The collection is universally esteemed for its authenticity and historical value, serving as a critical resource for scholars. However, because it aims for breadth, it encompasses a wide range of narrations, including some that experts have identified as having less reliable chains of narration alongside its many strong ones.

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For more Hadith in Book 5: Musnad ‘Ali Ibn Abi Talib
 

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