65/33.1. Chapter:
Sahih Bukhari 4781 — The Prophet’s Care for Believers
Hadith About the Prophet Being Closer to the Believers
Sahih Bukhari : 4781
Sahih BukhariHadith Number 4781
حَدَّثَنِي إِبْرَاهِيمُ بْنُ الْمُنْذِرِ، حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ فُلَيْحٍ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبِي، عَنْ هِلاَلِ بْنِ عَلِيٍّ، عَنْ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنِ أَبِي عَمْرَةَ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ " مَا مِنْ مُؤْمِنٍ إِلاَّ وَأَنَا أَوْلَى النَّاسِ بِهِ فِي الدُّنْيَا وَالآخِرَةِ، اقْرَءُوا إِنْ شِئْتُمْ {النَّبِيُّ أَوْلَى بِالْمُؤْمِنِينَ مِنْ أَنْفُسِهِمْ} فَأَيُّمَا مُؤْمِنٍ تَرَكَ مَالاً فَلْيَرِثْهُ عَصَبَتُهُ مَنْ كَانُوا، فَإِنْ تَرَكَ دَيْنًا أَوْ ضِيَاعًا فَلْيَأْتِنِي وَأَنَا مَوْلاَهُ ".
Abu Hurairah Narrated from:
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "There is no believer but I, of all the people, I am the closest to him both in this world and in the Hereafter.Recite if you wish: 'The Prophet (ﷺ) is closer to the believers than their own selves.' (33.6)so if a believer (dies) leaves some property then his relatives will inherit that property; but if he is in debt or he leaves poor children, let those (creditors and children) come to me (that I may pay the debt and provide for the children), for them I am his sponsor (surely).
Reference : Sahih al-Bukhari 4781In-book reference : Book 65, Hadith 303USC-MSA web (English) reference : Vol. 6, Book 60, Hadith 304
Summary of Sahih Bukhari Hadith 4781
This hadith about the Prophet’s care shows his special closeness to every believer in this world and the Hereafter. He صلى الله عليه وسلم quoted the meaning of the verse that the Prophet is closer to the believers than their own selves. Then he explained a practical result of that care. If a believer left property, his relatives would inherit it. But if he left debt or poor children, they could come to the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم because he was their sponsor. The hadith joins love, responsibility, inheritance, debt, and care for dependents in one clear lesson. It shows that Prophetic leadership was not only words; it also carried mercy and support.
What we learn from this hadith
- The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم described himself as closest to the believers.
- Property left by a believer belongs to his relatives as inheritance.
- The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم took responsibility for debts and poor children mentioned in the text.
