Hadith: Whoever takes a false oath to deprive a Muslim person of his property unlawfully, will meet Allah while He is angry with him

عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بنِ مَسْعُودٍ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ:
«مَنْ حَلَفَ عَلَى يَمِينٍ وَهُوَ فِيهَا فَاجِرٌ لِيَقْتَطِعَ بِهَا مَالَ امْرِئٍ مُسْلِمٍ، لَقِيَ اللَّهَ وَهُوَ عَلَيْهِ غَضْبَانُ». قَالَ: فَقَالَ الْأَشْعَثُ: فِيَّ وَاللَّهِ كَانَ ذَلِكَ؛ كَانَ بَيْنِي وَبَيْنَ رَجُلٍ مِنَ الْيَهُودِ أَرْضٌ، فَجَحَدَنِي، فَقَدَّمْتُهُ إِلَى النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ فَقَالَ لِي رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «أَلَكَ بَيِّنَةٌ؟» قُلْتُ: لَا. قَالَ: فَقَالَ لِلْيَهُودِيِّ: «احْلِفْ». قَالَ: قُلْتُ: يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ، إِذَنْ يَحْلِفَ وَيَذْهَبَ بِمَالِي. فَأَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى: {إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يَشْتَرُونَ بِعَهْدِ اللَّهِ وَأَيْمَانِهِمْ ثَمَنًا قَلِيلًا}. إِلَى آخِرِ الْآيَةِ.
[صحيح] - [متفق عليه] - [صحيح البخاري: 2416]

‘Abdullah ibn Mas‘ūd (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said:
"Whoever takes a false oath to deprive a Muslim person of his property unlawfully, will meet Allah while He is angry with him." He said: Al-Ash‘ath said: By Allah, this was about me. I shared some land with a Jewish man. When he denied me my right, I complained against him to the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him). The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said to me: "Do you have any proof?" I said: No. So he said to the Jew: "Swear an oath." I said: O Messenger of Allah, he will swear an oath and seize my property. So, Allah Almighty revealed: {Those who trade the covenant of Allah and their oaths for a small price...} to the end of the verse.
[Authentic hadith] - [Narrated by Bukhari & Muslim] - [Sahih Bukhari - 2416]

Explanation

The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) warned against swearing an oath by Allah while knowing that one is lying in his oath in order to unjustly acquire someone else's property. Such a person will meet Allah while He is angry with him. Al-Ash‘ath ibn Qays (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said this when there was a dispute between him and a Jewish man over the ownership of a piece of land. They both brought their case to the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him), who then said to Al-Ash‘ath: You must provide evidence to support your claim. If you are unable to do so, then you only have the oath of your opponent, the one being accused. Al-Ash‘ath said: O Messenger of Allah, then the Jewish man will take an oath without hesitation and take my money. So Allah Almighty revealed confirmation of this in the Qur’an, saying: {Those who trade} and exchange {the covenant of Allah} and His commandment for the believers to fulfill the trust and {their oaths} taken in His name while lying {for a small price} of the worldly gains {they will have no share in the Hereafter} and no portion, and {Allah will neither speak to them} with words that would bring them joy and benefit; rather, He will be angry with them {nor look at them on the Day of Resurrection} with a look of mercy and compassion {nor will He purify them} with beautiful praise, nor will He purify them with forgiveness for their sins and impurities {and for them there will be a painful punishment} and agonizing due to what they have committed.

Benefits from the Hadith

1. The prohibition of taking people's wealth wrongfully and deeming that lawful.
2. The strict prohibition of Muslims' rights, whether in small or large matters.
3. The proof is on the claimant, and the oath is on the defendant if he denies it.
4. Two witnesses establish the right. If the claimant does not have evidence, the defendant must take an oath.
5. The prohibition of the (Ghamūs) oath, which is the false oath taken to seize the right of another. It is one of the major sins that exposes its perpetrator to the wrath of Allah Almighty and His punishment.
6. The admonition of the ruler to the litigants, especially when an oath is about to be taken.