8/26. Chapter:
Sunan Abi Dawud 1528 — Be Lenient to Yourselves in Dhikr
About Seeking Forgiveness
Be Lenient to Yourselves: A Hadith on Gentle Dhikr
Sunan Abi Dawud : 1528
Sunan Abi DawudHadith Number 1528
حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو صَالِحٍ، مَحْبُوبُ بْنُ مُوسَى أَخْبَرَنَا أَبُو إِسْحَاقَ الْفَزَارِيُّ، عَنْ عَاصِمٍ، عَنْ أَبِي عُثْمَانَ، عَنْ أَبِي مُوسَى، بِهَذَا الْحَدِيثِ وَقَالَ فِيهِ فَقَالَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم " يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ ارْبَعُوا عَلَى أَنْفُسِكُمْ " .
Abu Musa Al-Ash'ari Narrated from:
The aforesaid tradition has also been transmitted by Abu Musa al-Ash'ari through a different chain of narrators. This version adds: Be lenient to yourselves, O people.
Reference : Sunan Abi Dawud 1528In-book reference : Book 8, Hadith 113English translation : Book 8, Hadith 1523
Summary of Sunan Abi Dawud Hadith 1528
This hadith is another version of the same report from Abu Musa al-Ash'ari. It adds the Prophet's صلى الله عليه وسلم words: "Be lenient to yourselves, O people." In the surrounding narration, people had raised their voices in dhikr during travel, and the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم reminded them that Allah is not deaf or absent. This version highlights ease and gentleness in worship. The hadith about gentle dhikr does not cancel remembrance of Allah. Instead, it teaches that calling on Allah should not become hard on the self through unnecessary loudness or strain. The believer can remember Allah with a calm heart and a measured voice.
What we learn from this hadith
- The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم told the people to be lenient to themselves.
- The hadith points to ease and calmness in dhikr.
- Calling upon Allah does not require unnecessary strain or loudness.
