Fitrah: Difference between revisions

==In the hadith==

The following hadith regarding ''fitrah'' is one of the most frequently cited:

حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدَانُ، أَخْبَرَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ، أَخْبَرَنَا يُونُسُ، عَنِ الزُّهْرِيِّ، قَالَ أَخْبَرَنِي أَبُو سَلَمَةَ بْنُ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ، أَنَّ أَبَا هُرَيْرَةَ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏"‏ مَا مِنْ مَوْلُودٍ إِلاَّ يُولَدُ عَلَى الْفِطْرَةِ، فَأَبَوَاهُ يُهَوِّدَانِهِ أَوْ يُنَصِّرَانِهِ أَوْ يُمَجِّسَانِهِ، كَمَا تُنْتَجُ الْبَهِيمَةُ بَهِيمَةً جَمْعَاءَ، هَلْ تُحِسُّونَ فِيهَا مِنْ جَدْعَاءَ ‏"‏ ثُمَّ يَقُولُ ‏{‏فِطْرَةَ اللَّهِ الَّتِي فَطَرَ النَّاسَ عَلَيْهَا لاَ تَبْدِيلَ لِخَلْقِ اللَّهِ ذَلِكَ الدِّينُ الْقَيِّمُ‏}

One hadith does, however, explicitly refer to the "''fitrah'' of Islam" (فطرة الإسلام). Here it is translated as "true faith" and not as "nature":

Narrated Ibn Shihab:

In another hadith, Gabriel tells Muhammad that Allah lead him to ''fitrah''. In this case, the ''fitrah'' was choosing milk instead of wine:

Abu Huraira reported that Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) was presented two cups at Bait al-Maqdis on the night of Heavenly Journey, one containing wine and the other containing milk. He looked at both of them, and be took the one containing milk, whereupon Gabriel (peace be upon him) said:

One hadith explicitly defines ''fitrah'':

Abu Huraira reported:

===Hadith challenging the natural (''fitrah'') disposition===

One hadith suggests that a person must act against his ''fitrah'' (nature) and shun desire in order to reach Paradise:

Narrated Abu Huraira:

==The insufficiency of the ''fitrah'' in children==

In one hadith, the ''fitrah'' appears to be an insufficient source of religious guidance and control for children. It must thus be supplemented with parental instruction and beating.  

Narrated Abdullah ibn Amr ibn al-'As: