81/18. Chapter:
Sahih Bukhari 6465 — Do What You Can Continue
The adoption of a middle course, and the regularity of deeds
Hadith About Regular Deeds Within Your Ability
Sahih Bukhari : 6465
Sahih BukhariHadith Number 6465
حَدَّثَنِي مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عَرْعَرَةَ، حَدَّثَنَا شُعْبَةُ، عَنْ سَعْدِ بْنِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، عَنْ أَبِي سَلَمَةَ، عَنْ عَائِشَةَ ـ رضى الله عنها ـ أَنَّهَا قَالَتْ سُئِلَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم أَىُّ الأَعْمَالِ أَحَبُّ إِلَى اللَّهِ قَالَ " أَدْوَمُهَا وَإِنْ قَلَّ ". وَقَالَ " اكْلَفُوا مِنَ الأَعْمَالِ مَا تُطِيقُونَ ".
A'isha Narrated from:
The Prophet (ﷺ) was asked, "What deeds are loved most by Allah?" He said, "The most regular constant deeds even though they may be few." He added, 'Don't take upon yourselves, except the deeds which are within your ability."
Reference : Sahih al-Bukhari 6465In-book reference : Book 81, Hadith 54USC-MSA web (English) reference : Vol. 8, Book 76, Hadith 472
Summary of Sahih Bukhari Hadith 6465
This Hadith about regular deeds answers a direct question: which deeds are loved most by Allah? The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم replied that they are the most regular and constant deeds, even if they are few. He then added that people should not take on deeds except what is within their ability. This makes the Hadith very practical. It connects love of Allah for regular deeds with a realistic path for worship. A person searching for hadith about deeds within ability or consistency in Islam will find a clear teaching here. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم did not tell people to overburden themselves. He pointed them to actions they could keep doing.
What we learn from this hadith
- Allah loves regular deeds, even if they are few.
- A person should choose acts of worship within their ability.
- Overloading oneself in worship is not the guidance in this text.
- Steady action is better than taking on what one cannot maintain.
