37/14. Chapter:
Sunan Ibn Majah 4168 — The Strong Believer and Qadar
Reliance and certain faith
Strong Believer Hadith: Strive, Trust, and Avoid If Only
Sunan Ibn Majah : 4168
Sunan Ibn MajahHadith Number 4168
حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ الصَّبَّاحِ، أَنْبَأَنَا سُفْيَانُ بْنُ عُيَيْنَةَ، عَنِ ابْنِ عَجْلاَنَ، عَنِ الأَعْرَجِ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، يَبْلُغُ بِهِ النَّبِيَّ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ قَالَ " الْمُؤْمِنُ الْقَوِيُّ خَيْرٌ وَأَحَبُّ إِلَى اللَّهِ مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنِ الضَّعِيفِ وَفِي كُلٍّ خَيْرٌ احْرِصْ عَلَى مَا يَنْفَعُكَ وَلاَ تَعْجِزْ فَإِنْ غَلَبَكَ أَمْرٌ فَقُلْ قَدَّرَ اللَّهُ وَمَا شَاءَ فَعَلَ وَإِيَّاكَ وَاللَّوْ فَإِنَّ اللَّوْ تَفْتَحُ عَمَلَ الشَّيْطَانِ " .
Abu Hurairah Narrated from:
It was narrated that Abu Hurairah said, attributing it to the Prophet (ﷺ): “The stronger believer is better and more beloved to Allah than the weak believer, although both are good. Strive to seek that which will benefit you and do not feel helpless. If something overwhelms you, then say: Qaddarallah, wa ma sha'a fa’al (It is the decree of Allah and what He wills He does). And beware of (saying) ‘If only,’ for ‘If only’ opens the door to Satan.”
Reference : Sunan Ibn Majah 4168In-book reference : Book 37, Hadith 69English translation : Vol. 5, Book 37, Hadith 4168
Summary of Sunan Ibn Majah Hadith 4168
This strong believer hadith gives a balanced way to face life. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said that the stronger believer is better and more beloved to Allah than the weak believer, while making clear that there is good in both. Then he taught action: seek what benefits you and do not feel helpless. If something overwhelms you, say, “Qaddarallah, wa ma sha’a fa’al,” meaning it is Allah’s decree and what He wills He does. The hadith also warns against saying “if only,” because it opens the door to Satan. The message is not passive. It joins effort, strength, useful goals, and acceptance of qadar after events unfold.
What we learn from this hadith
- A believer should seek what is beneficial and not give in to helplessness.
- Both strong and weak believers have good, as stated in the hadith.
- After being overwhelmed, a believer should accept Allah’s decree.
- Regretful “if only” thinking can open a harmful door.
