Quran
Hadith
Islamic Text
Yes, it is true that Imam al-Bukhari engaged in Taweel (interpretation) at times, as did many other leading scholars of Ahl al-Sunnah and some of the Salaf. People who attack Taweel are attacking the Salaf.
كُلُّ شَيْءٍ هَالِكٌ إِلَّا وَجْهَهُ
Everything will perish except His Face. (Surah al-Qasas, 88).
In his Sahih collection Imam al-Bukhari offered two interpretations for word Face (Wajh) in verse 88 from Surah al-Qasas. He suggested that it could be referring to the dominion or kingdom of Allah (Most High), or that which is done for the sake of Allah Most High.
{كُلُّ شَيْءٍ هَالِكٌ إِلَّا وَجْهَهُ}
[القصص: 88]
إِلَّا مُلْكَهُ، وَيُقَالُ: إِلَّا مَا أُرِيدَ بِهِ وَجْهُ اللَّهِ. (الجامع المسند الصحيح المختصر من أمور رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم)
Everything will perish except His Face. (Surah al-Qasas, 88). (Meaning) Except his Kingdom. And it has been said, that which was done for His Face (His sake). (Sahih al-Bukhari).
وَأَمَّا الضَّحِكُ الْمَذْكُورُ فِي الْخَبَرِ فَقَدْ رَوَى الْفِرَبْرِيُّ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ إِسْمَاعِيلَ الْبُخَارِيِّ رَحِمَهُ اللَّهُ أَنَّهُ قَالَ: مَعْنَى الضَّحِكِ فِيهِ الرَّحْمَةُ. (الأسماء والصفات للبيهقي)
As for the laughter mentioned in the narration, it was narrated from al-Firabri from Muhammad bin Ismael al-Bukhari, May Allah (Most High) have mercy upon him, laughter in it means Mercy. (Imam al-Bayhaqi, al-Asmaa wa al-Sifaat, 979).
In the Nass (text) above we find Imam al-Bukhari interpreting (Taweel) the Hadith narration that speaks of Allah (Most High) laughing. He suggests that this is referring to the Mercy of Allah Most High.
Taweel (interpretation) in this case is incredibly important, as many lay Muslims may misunderstand such narrations and imagine something anthropomorphic and thus jeopardise their Iman. This was also mentioned by Imam al-Khattabi in one of the earliest commentaries on Sahih al-Bukhari:
قال أبو عبد الله: معنى الضحك الرحمة. (أعلام الحديث)
Abu Abdillah (al-Bukhari) said, the meaning of laughter is mercy. (Imam Abu Sulayman al-Khattabi, Sharh Sahih al-Bukhari)
Other Major Hadith scholars said something similar when commenting upon the laughter of Allah (Most High):
(يضحك الله إلى رجلين) أى: يتلقاهما بالرحمة والرضوان، والضحك منه على المجاز؛ لأن الضحك لا يكون منه تعالى على ما يكون من البشر؛ لأنه ليس كمثله شيء. (: شرح صحيح البخارى)
Allah laughed (or smiled) at two men. Meaning met them with mercy, and pleasure. Laughter from Him (Most High) is metaphorical. This is because laughter does not occur for Him (Mighty and Majestic) the way it occurs for humans. Since there is nothing like Him (Most High). (Imam Ibn Battaal, Sharh Sahih al-Bukhari).
وَأَمَّا قَوْلُهُ ((يَضْحَكُ اللَّهُ إِلَيْهِ)) أَيْ يَتَلَقَّاهُ اللَّهُ – عَزَّ وَجَلَّ – بِالرَّحْمَةِ وَالرِّضْوَانِ والعفو والغفران. ولفظ الضحك ها هنا مجازا لِأَنَّ الضَّحِكَ لَا يَكُونُ مِنَ اللَّهِ – عَزَّ وَجَلَّ – عَلَى مَا هُوَ مِنَ الْبَشَرِ لِأَنَّهُ لَيْسَ كَمِثْلِهِ شَيْءٌ وَلَا تُشْبِهُهُ الْأَشْيَاءُ. (الاستذكار)
As for his saying: Allah laughs, it means Allah (Mighty and Majestic) bestows upon him (Divine) mercy, pleasure, pardoning and forgiveness.
The word laughter here is metaphorical. This is because laughter does not occur for Allah (Mighty and Majestic) the way it occurs for humans. Since there is nothing like Him (Most High) and things do not resemble Him. (Imam Ibn Abd al-Barr, al-Istidhkaar).
قَدْ قَدَّمْنَا مَعْنَى الضَّحِكَ مِنَ اللَّهِ تَعَالَى وَهُوَ الرِّضَى وَالرَّحْمَةُ وَإِرَادَةُ الْخَيْرِ لِمَنْ يَشَاءُ رَحْمَتَهُ مِنْ عِبَادِهِ وَاللَّهُ أَعْلَمُ. (المنهاج شرح صحيح مسلم بن الحجاج)
We have mentioned before that the meaning of laughter regarding Allah (Most High) is (Divine) Pleasure, Mercy and willing good for whomsoever He (Most High) selects for Mercy from his slaves. And Allah (Most High) knows best. (Imam al-Nawawi, Sharh Sahih Muslim).
In light of the Nussoss (texts) above we see that not only did Imam al-Bukhari engage in Taweel (interpretation), but other major Hadith scholars did so too. For examples of the Salaf engaging in Taweel please see the links below.
And Allah (Most High) Knows Best.
-Answered by Shaykh Noorud-deen Rashid (03.09.2022)
See also:
Salaf never interpreted verses of the Holy Quran describing Allah?
What is meant by the face of Allah Most High
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