33/29. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 1879a — Comparing Good Deeds
The virtue of Martyrdom in the cause of Allah
Hadith About Comparing Jihad, Serving Pilgrims, and Maintaining the Sacred Mosque
Sahih Muslim : 1879a
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 1879a
حَدَّثَنِي حَسَنُ بْنُ عَلِيٍّ الْحُلْوَانِيُّ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو تَوْبَةَ، حَدَّثَنَا مُعَاوِيَةُ بْنُ سَلاَّمٍ، عَنْ زَيْدِ بْنِ سَلاَّمٍ، أَنَّهُ سَمِعَ أَبَا سَلاَّمٍ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنِي النُّعْمَانُ بْنُ بَشِيرٍ، قَالَ كُنْتُ عِنْدَ مِنْبَرِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَقَالَ رَجُلٌ مَا أُبَالِي أَنْ لاَ أَعْمَلَ عَمَلاً بَعْدَ الإِسْلاَمِ إِلاَّ أَنْ أُسْقِيَ الْحَاجَّ . وَقَالَ آخَرُ مَا أُبَالِي أَنْ لاَ أَعْمَلَ عَمَلاً بَعْدَ الإِسْلاَمِ إِلاَّ أَنْ أَعْمُرَ الْمَسْجِدَ الْحَرَامَ . وَقَالَ آخَرُ الْجِهَادُ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ أَفْضَلُ مِمَّا قُلْتُمْ . فَزَجَرَهُمْ عُمَرُ وَقَالَ لاَ تَرْفَعُوا أَصْوَاتَكُمْ عِنْدَ مِنْبَرِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَهُوَ يَوْمُ الْجُمُعَةِ وَلَكِنْ إِذَا صَلَّيْتُ الْجُمُعَةَ دَخَلْتُ فَاسْتَفْتَيْتُهُ فِيمَا اخْتَلَفْتُمْ فِيهِ . فَأَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ { أَجَعَلْتُمْ سِقَايَةَ الْحَاجِّ وَعِمَارَةَ الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ كَمَنْ آمَنَ بِاللَّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الآخِرِ} الآيَةَ إِلَى آخِرِهَا .
An-Nu'man bin Bashir Narrated from:
As I was (sitting) near the pulpit of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), a man said: I do not care if, after embracing Islam, I do not do any good deed (except) distributing drinking water among the pilgrims. Another said: I do not care if, after embracing Islam, I do not do any good deed beyond maintenance service to the Sacred Mosque. Another said: Jihad in the way of Allah is better than what you have said.'Umar reprimanded them and said: Don't raise your voices near the pulpit of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) on Friday. When prayer was over, I entered (the apartment of the Holy Prophet) and asked his verdict about the matter in which they had differed. (It was upon this that) Allah, the Almighty and Exalted, revealed the Qur'anic verse:" Do you make the giving of drinking water to the pilgrims and the maintenance of the Sacred Mosque equal to (the service of those) who believe in Allah and the Last Day and strive hard in the cause of Allah. They are not equal in the sight of God. And Allah guides not the wrongdoing people" (ix. 20).
[1] At-Tawbah 9:19.Reference : Sahih Muslim 1879aIn-book reference : Book 33, Hadith 167USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 20, Hadith 4638
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 1879a
This hadith tells of people near the pulpit discussing which deed they would rely on after Islam. One mentioned giving drinking water to pilgrims. Another mentioned maintaining the Sacred Mosque. Another said Jihad in the way of Allah was better. Umar stopped them from raising their voices near the pulpit on Friday and said he would ask the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) after prayer. The hadith then states that Allah revealed a verse saying that giving water to pilgrims and maintaining the Sacred Mosque are not equal to one who believes in Allah and the Last Day and strives in Allah's cause. The teaching is about weighing deeds by Allah's guidance, not by loud debate.
What we learn from this hadith
- Serving pilgrims and maintaining the Sacred Mosque are mentioned as good deeds.
- The verse quoted in the hadith places faith and striving in Allah's cause above them.
- Umar stopped raised voices near the Prophet's pulpit on Friday.
- When people differed, the matter was referred for guidance.
