A Critical Review on The Prophet Mohammed’s Hadith al-Safeena (the Ship)

Lect. Wafa’ Abbas Sahan (Ph.D.)

(The book) ‘Uyoon Akhbar Al-Rezaasws by the three chains from Al-Rezaasws from hisasws forefathersasws having said: ‘Rasool-Allahsaww said: ‘And example of the Peopleasws of mysaww Household is an example of the ship of Noaha’s. One who sails it is saved and one who stays behind from it would fall into the Fire’’. (Bihar Al Anwaar – V 23, The book of Imamate, P 1 Ch 7 H 45)

This Hadith (known as Hadith of al-Safeena i.e. the Ship) is said by the prophet Mohammed in his household. This article attempts to make a brief critical review on the Hadith in terms of the textual-conceptual tool of analysis equating and contrasting.  Critical Stylistics provides a double level (form-function) of analysis for the tool-kit of analysis it proposes. 

There is equating in the Hadith which is demonstrated through the structure ‘Intensive relational equivalence’ which can be represented by the syntactic trigger (X is like Y); the Peopleasws of the Household (X) among you all is like an example of the ship of Noaha’s (Y).

Such formal structure draws a comparison between the Household of the prophet Muhammad and the ship of the prophet Noah. Equating these two images carries ideological implications: 

• both ships are driven by a prophet; the ship of the Household is led by the prophet Mohammed similar to the ship of Noah which is led by Him. 

• constructing the ship of Noah was done following the order of Allah “”وَاصْنَعِ الْفُلْكَ بِأَعْيُنِنَا وَوَحْيِنَا “and construct the ship under Our eyes and with Our inspiration” (Qur’an 11: 37) similar to the case the prophet Muhammed and his Household who follow the instructions of Allah. “وَمَا يَنطِقُ عَنِ ٱلۡهَوَىٰٓ.إِنۡ هُوَ إِلَّا وَحۡيٞ يُوحَىٰ. “

“Nor does he speak of (his own) desire. (3)It is only an Inspiration that is inspired. (4)” (Qur’an 53: 3-4)

• the ship of Noah was the only sailing ship during the flood; its passengers were the only survivors of that flood. 

The analogy is highlighted more in the last comparison referring to the situation is which following the path of the prophet and his Household is the only path to salvation; this can be perceived though the selection of a contrasting structure as: (They are X; Others are Y) “The one who sails it (X) would attain salvation, and the one who stays behind from it (Y), would drown”. 

Selecting textual opposition creates a worldview in which two opposing orientations or ideologies are juxtaposed; one choice leads to salvation while the other leads to damnation. This structure serves to guide the audience to accepting the virtuous pathway and reject the negative one. Such an opposition implies the exclusiveness of salvation to the ship of the Household. Similar to the ship of Noah which was the only salvation from the flood (destruction); no other pathway can bring salvation other than that of the households’. (see also Al-Harawi, 2015 )

To conclude, equating and contrasting in the Hadith of the Prophet reflects equating positive principles, beliefs, and values with the Household of the Prophet; whereas contrasting and opposition mirrors the exclusion of salvation to the Household.

References

Al-Harawi, Nūr aldeen Bin Muhammed/ Al-Mulla Ali Al-QhariɁ (2015), Mirqhat Al-Mifatih Sharh Mushkat Al-Masabih Lil Emam Muhammed Al-Tabrizi, 11-1 (11), Dar Al-Kutub Al’elmiya.

Bihar Al Anwaar – V 23, The book of Imamate

Jeffries, Leslie (2010). CS: The Power of English, Basingstoke: Palgrave