46/1. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 112b — Outward Deeds and Final Reality
How The Human Being Is Created, In His Mother's Womb, And His Provision, Lifespan And Deeds Are Written Down, And His Misery and Happiness
Hadith About Outward Deeds and Final Reality
Sahih Muslim : 112b
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 112b
حَدَّثَنَا قُتَيْبَةُ بْنُ سَعِيدٍ، حَدَّثَنَا يَعْقُوبُ، - يَعْنِي ابْنَ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ الْقَارِيَّ - عَنْ أَبِي حَازِمٍ، عَنْ سَهْلِ بْنِ سَعْدٍ السَّاعِدِيِّ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ " إِنَّ الرَّجُلَ لَيَعْمَلُ عَمَلَ أَهْلِ الْجَنَّةِ فِيمَا يَبْدُو لِلنَّاسِ وَهُوَ مِنْ أَهْلِ النَّارِ . وَإِنَّ الرَّجُلَ لَيَعْمَلُ عَمَلَ أَهْلِ النَّارِ فِيمَا يَبْدُو لِلنَّاسِ وَهُوَ مِنْ أَهْلِ الْجَنَّةِ " .
Sahl bin Sa`d Narrated from:
A person performs deeds like the deeds of the people of Paradise apparently before people and he would be amongst the dwellers of Hell and a person acts apparently like the people of Hell, but (in fact) he would be among the dwellers of Paradise.
Reference : Sahih Muslim 112bIn-book reference : Book 46, Hadith 19USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 33, Hadith 6408
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 112b
This hadith about outward deeds teaches a serious lesson. A person may perform deeds that look like the deeds of the people of Paradise in front of people, yet be among the dwellers of Hell. Another person may appear to act like the people of Hell, yet be among the dwellers of Paradise. The wording highlights what appears before people. It reminds us that people only see the outside, while the final reality is known to Allah. The hadith warns against being fooled by appearance and against making careless judgments about someone’s end. It also pushes the believer to care about sincerity, final deeds, and Allah’s judgment rather than public image.
What we learn from this hadith
- Outward appearance before people does not always show final reality.
- A believer should avoid careless judgment about another person’s end.
- Public image is not the same as Allah’s knowledge of a person.
- The hadith encourages concern for sincerity and a good ending.
