12/33. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 1037b — Understanding Religion Is Goodness
The prohibition of Begging
Hadith About Understanding Religion and Allah’s Giving
Sahih Muslim : 1037b
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 1037b
وَحَدَّثَنِي حَرْمَلَةُ بْنُ يَحْيَى، أَخْبَرَنَا ابْنُ وَهْبٍ، أَخْبَرَنِي يُونُسُ، عَنِ ابْنِ شِهَابٍ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنِي حُمَيْدُ بْنُ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنِ عَوْفٍ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ مُعَاوِيَةَ بْنَ أَبِي سُفْيَانَ، وَهُوَ يَخْطُبُ يَقُولُ إِنِّي سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقُولُ " مَنْ يُرِدِ اللَّهُ بِهِ خَيْرًا يُفَقِّهْهُ فِي الدِّينِ وَإِنَّمَا أَنَا قَاسِمٌ وَيُعْطِي اللَّهُ " .
Abd al-Rahman b. Auf reported: I heard Mu'awiya b. Abu Sufyan saying in an address that he had heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) as saying: He to whom Allah intends to do good, He gives him insight into religion. And I am only the distributor while Allah is the Bestower.
Reference : Sahih Muslim 1037bIn-book reference : Book 12, Hadith 129USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 5, Hadith 2260
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 1037b
This hadith about understanding religion is short but very rich in meaning. Mu'awiya b. Abu Sufyan said in an address that he heard the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) say that whoever Allah intends good for, He gives him insight into religion. This shows the value of learning religion with understanding, not just hearing words without grasping them. The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) also said that he is only the distributor, while Allah is the One who gives. This keeps the heart attached to Allah as the true Bestower. The hadith teaches that knowledge of religion is a gift, and material giving also belongs to Allah’s will and distribution.
What we learn from this hadith
- Insight into religion is linked to goodness from Allah.
- The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) described himself as a distributor.
- Allah is named as the true One who gives.
- Religious understanding should be valued as a great blessing.
