12/20. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 1016b — Allah Will Speak to Everyone
Encouragement to give charity even if it is with half a date or a kind word. And charity is a shield against the fire.
Hadith About Accountability and Charity
Sahih Muslim : 1016b
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 1016b
حَدَّثَنَا عَلِيُّ بْنُ حُجْرٍ السَّعْدِيُّ، وَإِسْحَاقُ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، وَعَلِيُّ بْنُ خَشْرَمٍ، قَالَ ابْنُ حُجْرٍ حَدَّثَنَا وَقَالَ الآخَرَانِ، أَخْبَرَنَا عِيسَى بْنُ يُونُسَ، حَدَّثَنَا الأَعْمَشُ، عَنْ خَيْثَمَةَ، عَنْ عَدِيِّ، بْنِ حَاتِمٍ قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " مَا مِنْكُمْ مِنْ أَحَدٍ إِلاَّ سَيُكَلِّمُهُ اللَّهُ لَيْسَ بَيْنَهُ وَبَيْنَهُ تُرْجُمَانٌ فَيَنْظُرُ أَيْمَنَ مِنْهُ فَلاَ يَرَى إِلاَّ مَا قَدَّمَ وَيَنْظُرُ أَشْأَمَ مِنْهُ فَلاَ يَرَى إِلاَّ مَا قَدَّمَ وَيَنْظُرُ بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ فَلاَ يَرَى إِلاَّ النَّارَ تِلْقَاءَ وَجْهِهِ فَاتَّقُوا النَّارَ وَلَوْ بِشِقِّ تَمْرَةٍ " . زَادَ ابْنُ حُجْرٍ قَالَ الأَعْمَشُ وَحَدَّثَنِي عَمْرُو بْنُ مُرَّةَ عَنْ خَيْثَمَةَ مِثْلَهُ وَزَادَ فِيهِ " وَلَوْ بِكَلِمَةٍ طَيِّبَةٍ " . وَقَالَ إِسْحَاقُ قَالَ الأَعْمَشُ عَنْ عَمْرِو بْنِ مُرَّةَ عَنْ خَيْثَمَةَ .
`Adi bin Hatim Narrated from:
Adi b. Hatim reported Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) as saying: Allah will speak with everyone amongst you without any interpreter between them. He (the man) would see towards his right and would not find anything but (the deeds) which he had done before, and he would see towards the left and would not find anything but (the deeds) which he had done before. He would see in front of him and would find nothing but Fire just before his face. So protect (yourselves) against Fire even if it is with the help of half a date.A hadith like this has been transmitted by Khaithama and addition has been made in this of (these words);" Even if it is with a good word."
Reference : Sahih Muslim 1016bIn-book reference : Book 12, Hadith 85USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 5, Hadith 2216
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 1016b
This hadith about accountability and charity reminds us that every person will stand before Allah without an interpreter. The person will look to the right and left and see only what he sent ahead of deeds. Then he will see the Fire before him. Because of that, the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم told people to protect themselves from the Fire, even with half a date. The narration also mentions a good word as a way for the one who does not have something to give. The teaching is very direct: prepare for the meeting with Allah through deeds within your reach. The hadith links sadaqah, small charity, and kind words to serious awareness of the Hereafter. It does not say a person must give a large amount. It pushes every believer to act before that day comes.
What we learn from this hadith
- Every person will be faced with what they sent ahead of deeds.
- Even a small sadaqah is worth giving when done for Allah.
- A pleasant word is also mentioned as a good deed for someone who lacks material charity.
