Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh. (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

Assalamu Alaikum bhai,

Hima means ?

I didn't get it that's y…

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said:

`Both `halaal` (lawful) and `haraam` (unlawful) things are evident but in between them there are doubtful (suspicious) things and most of the people have no knowledge about them. So whoever saves himself from these suspicious things saves his religion and his honor. And whoever indulges in these suspicious things is like a shepherd who grazes (his animals) near the `Hima` (private pasture) of someone else and at any moment he is liable to get in it. (O people!) Beware! Every king has a `Hima` and the `Hima` of Allah on the earth is His illegal (forbidden) things.`

Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith 1.49 Narrated by An Numan bin Bashir

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Answer:

Meaning of hima boundary

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

The literal meaning of the Arabic term ‘hima’ is a prescribed ‘hudood’ or boundary, or a fence, or the absolute limit of one’s territories. In the above quoted hadith, the Messenger of Allah (saws) has portrayed an analogy by stating that the ‘hima’ or ‘hudood’ or the boundaries of the Lord Most Majestic on this earth are the things which are declared as ‘haraam’ or prohibited in Islam, and the believers are warned time and time again not to even approach, leave alone transgress one of the prescribed ‘boundaries’ or the ‘hima’ laid out by Allah and His Messenger (saws).

Everything that is good and lawful in Islam will be considered within the ‘hima’ or prescribed ‘boundaries’ of Allah Subhanah; and everything that is evil or prohibited or unlawful would be considered beyond the ‘hima’ or prescribed boundaries of the Lord Most Majestic.

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 2 Surah Baqarah verse 229 (part):

……These are the limits (hudood) ordained by Allah; so do not transgress them. If any do transgress the limits ordained by Allah, such persons are the wrong-doers.

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 4 Surah Nisaa verses 13-14:

13 Those are limits (hudood) set by Allah: those who obey Allah and His Messenger will be admitted to Gardens with rivers flowing beneath to abide therein (for ever); and that will be the Supreme Achievement.

14 But those who disobey Allah and His Messenger and transgress His limits will be admitted to a Fire to abide therein: and they shall have a humiliating punishment!

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me alone. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your brother and well wisher in Islam,

Burhan