33/58. Chapter:
Sunan Ibn Majah 3822 — Good Thoughts of Allah
The Virtue of Good Deeds
I Am as My Servant Thinks of Me: A Hadith About Dhikr
Sunan Ibn Majah : 3822
Sunan Ibn MajahHadith Number 3822
حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو بَكْرِ بْنُ أَبِي شَيْبَةَ، وَعَلِيُّ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ، قَالاَ حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو مُعَاوِيَةَ، عَنِ الأَعْمَشِ، عَنْ أَبِي صَالِحٍ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ " يَقُولُ اللَّهُ سُبْحَانَهُ أَنَا عِنْدَ ظَنِّ عَبْدِي بِي وَأَنَا مَعَهُ حِينَ يَذْكُرُنِي فَإِنْ ذَكَرَنِي فِي نَفْسِهِ ذَكَرْتُهُ فِي نَفْسِي وَإِنْ ذَكَرَنِي فِي مَلإٍ ذَكَرْتُهُ فِي مَلإٍ خَيْرٍ مِنْهُمْ وَإِنِ اقْتَرَبَ إِلَىَّ شِبْرًا اقْتَرَبْتُ إِلَيْهِ ذِرَاعًا وَإِنْ أَتَانِي يَمْشِي أَتَيْتُهُ هَرْوَلَةً " .
Abu Hurairah Narrated from:
The Messenger of Allah (saas) said: "Allah says, 'I am as My slave thinks I am, and I am with him when he mentions Me. If he makes mention of Me to himself, I make mention of him to Myself; and if he makes mention of Me in an assembly, I make mention of him in an assembly better than it. And if he draws to Me a hand-span length, I draw near to him a forearm's length. And if he comes to Me walking, I go to him in a hurry."
Reference : Sunan Ibn Majah 3822In-book reference : Book 33, Hadith 166English translation : Vol. 5, Book 33, Hadith 3822
Summary of Sunan Ibn Majah Hadith 3822
This Hadith focuses on dhikr and having a good thought of Allah. Allah says He is as His servant thinks of Him, and He is with the servant when the servant mentions Him. The Hadith mentions private remembrance and public remembrance. If a person remembers Allah alone, Allah mentions him to Himself. If he remembers Allah in a gathering, Allah mentions him in a better gathering. It also repeats the beautiful meaning of drawing near to Allah: when the servant moves toward Allah, Allah’s response is greater. This makes dhikr feel close and personal. Remembering Allah is not just words on the tongue; it is a way of turning back to Him with trust and hope.
What we learn from this hadith
- A believer should think well of Allah while remembering Him.
- Allah is with the servant when the servant mentions Him.
- Private and public dhikr both have honored mention with Allah.
- Small steps toward Allah are met with greater nearness from Him.
