As for anything that took place during his lifetime without his knowledge, it is not ascribed to him, yet it still serves as evidence, for Allah Himself tacitly approved it. For that reason the Companions—may Allah be pleased with them—argued for the permissibility of ʿazl (coitus interruptus) on the basis of Allah’s approval. Jābir said, “We used to practise ʿazl while the Qur’an was being revealed,” agreed upon (1). Muslim adds: Sufyān said, “Had it been something the Qur’an forbade, the Qur’an would have prohibited it.”
The fact that Allah’s approval is probative is borne out by His exposing and condemning the reprehensible actions the hypocrites tried to hide; therefore, whatever Allah remained silent about is permissible.
Categories of reports according to their ascription
Reports, when classified by the figure to whom they are attributed, fall into three categories: marfūʿ (elevated), mawqūf (halted), and maqṭūʿ (severed).
- Marfūʿ (elevated): that which is attributed to the Prophet ﷺ, either explicitly or by ruling.
• Explicitly marfūʿ: the Prophet’s own statement, deed, or tacit approval.
• Marfūʿ by ruling: anything linked to his sunnah, his era, or similar wording that does not indicate he himself performed the act.