0/24. Chapter:
Sunan Ibn Majah 262 — Abu Hurairah on Sharing Hadith
One who is asked about knowledge but conceals it
Concealing Knowledge in Islam: Abu Hurairah’s Reason
Sunan Ibn Majah : 262
Sunan Ibn MajahHadith Number 262
حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو مَرْوَانَ الْعُثْمَانِيُّ، مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عُثْمَانَ حَدَّثَنَا إِبْرَاهِيمُ بْنُ سَعْدٍ، عَنِ الزُّهْرِيِّ، عَنْ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنِ هُرْمُزَ الأَعْرَجِ، أَنَّهُ سَمِعَ أَبَا هُرَيْرَةَ، يَقُولُ وَاللَّهِ لَوْلاَ آيَتَانِ فِي كِتَابِ اللَّهِ تَعَالَى مَا حَدَّثْتُ عَنْهُ - يَعْنِي عَنِ النَّبِيِّ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ - شَيْئًا أَبَدًا لَوْلاَ قَوْلُ اللَّهِ {إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يَكْتُمُونَ مَا أَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ مِنَ الْكِتَابِ} إِلَى آخِرِ الآيَتَيْنِ .
Abu Hurairah Narrated from:
By Allah, were it not for two Verses in the Book of Allah, I would never have narrated anything from him, meaning from the Prophet, were it not for the Words of Allah: Verily, those who conceal what Allah has sent down of the Book, and purchase a small gain therewith (of worldly things), they eat into their bellies nothing but fire. Allah will not speak to them on the Day of Resurrection, nor purify them, and theirs will be a painful torment.Those are they who have purchased error at the price of guidance, and torment at the price of forgiveness. So how bold they are (for evil deeds which will push them) to the Fire.'
[1] Al-Baqarah 2:174-175.Reference : Sunan Ibn Majah 262In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 0English translation : Vol. 1, Book 1, Hadith 262
Summary of Sunan Ibn Majah Hadith 262
This narration explains why Abu Hurairah narrated from the Prophet. He says that if not for two verses in the Book of Allah, he would not have narrated anything from him. The verses quoted in the text speak about people who conceal what Allah sent down and trade guidance for a small worldly gain. This makes the main message very clear: concealing knowledge in Islam is treated as a serious matter, especially when the knowledge is from revelation. Abu Hurairah’s statement shows that he saw narration as a duty connected to the Qur’an’s warning. The Hadith also points to the danger of using silence for worldly benefit when truth should be shared.
What we learn from this hadith
- Abu Hurairah linked narrating Hadith with the warning against hiding revelation.
- Worldly gain is not a valid reason to conceal religious truth.
- The quoted verses describe painful accountability for those who hide what Allah revealed.
- Sharing knowledge can be an act of responding to Allah’s command.
