81/7. Chapter:
Sahih Bukhari 6430 — Do Not Wish for Death
The warning regarding worldly pleasures, amusements and competing against each other
Hadith About Not Wishing for Death and Worldly Wealth
Sahih Bukhari : 6430
Sahih BukhariHadith Number 6430
حَدَّثَنِي يَحْيَى بْنُ مُوسَى، حَدَّثَنَا وَكِيعٌ، حَدَّثَنَا إِسْمَاعِيلُ، عَنْ قَيْسٍ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ خَبَّابًا، وَقَدِ اكْتَوَى يَوْمَئِذٍ سَبْعًا فِي بَطْنِهِ وَقَالَ لَوْلاَ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم نَهَانَا أَنْ نَدْعُوَ بِالْمَوْتِ لَدَعَوْتُ بِالْمَوْتِ، إِنَّ أَصْحَابَ مُحَمَّدٍ صلى الله عليه وسلم مَضَوْا وَلَمْ تَنْقُصْهُمُ الدُّنْيَا بِشَىْءٍ، وَإِنَّا أَصَبْنَا مِنَ الدُّنْيَا مَا لاَ نَجِدُ لَهُ مَوْضِعًا إِلاَّ التُّرَابَ.
Qais Narrated from:
I heard Khabbab, who had branded his `Abdomen with seven brands, saying, "Had Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) not forbidden us to invoke Allah for death, I would have invoked Allah for death. The companions of Muhammad have left this world without taking anything of their reward in it (i.e., they will have perfect reward in the Hereafter), but we have collected of the worldly wealth what we cannot spend but on earth (i.e. on building houses).
[1] Khabbāb was sick and therefore he branded his abdomen as a kind of treatment.Reference : Sahih al-Bukhari 6430In-book reference : Book 81, Hadith 19USC-MSA web (English) reference : Vol. 8, Book 76, Hadith 438
Summary of Sahih Bukhari Hadith 6430
This hadith about not wishing for death shows Khabbab speaking during severe pain, after having seven brands on his abdomen. Even in that state, he says he would have asked Allah for death if the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم had not forbidden it. The main teaching is clear: a believer should not ask for death because of suffering. Khabbab also compares earlier companions, who left the world without enjoying worldly reward, with those who later received wealth and could only spend it on building. The hadith also gives a sober reminder about worldly wealth. It may come after hardship, but it should not make a person forget the value of the Hereafter.
What we learn from this hadith
- The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم forbade asking Allah for death because of hardship.
- Pain and illness do not remove the need for patience.
- Worldly wealth should be viewed carefully, not as the main success.
- The early companions are remembered for sacrifice and restraint.
