33/34. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 1888a — Best of People
The virtue of Jihad and keeping watch over the frontier
Best of People Hadith: Striving and Avoiding Harm
Sahih Muslim : 1888a
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 1888a
حَدَّثَنَا مَنْصُورُ بْنُ أَبِي مُزَاحِمٍ، حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ حَمْزَةَ، عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ الْوَلِيدِ الزُّبَيْدِيِّ، عَنِ الزُّهْرِيِّ، عَنْ عَطَاءِ بْنِ يَزِيدَ اللَّيْثِيِّ، عَنْ أَبِي سَعِيدٍ الْخُدْرِيِّ، أَنَّ رَجُلاً، أَتَى النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَقَالَ أَىُّ النَّاسِ أَفْضَلُ فَقَالَ " رَجُلٌ يُجَاهِدُ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ بِمَالِهِ وَنَفْسِهِ " قَالَ ثُمَّ مَنْ قَالَ " مُؤْمِنٌ فِي شِعْبٍ مِنَ الشِّعَابِ يَعْبُدُ اللَّهَ رَبَّهُ وَيَدَعُ النَّاسَ مِنْ شَرِّهِ " .
It has been narrated on the authority of Abu Sa'id Khudri that a man came to the Prophet (may peace he upon him) and said: Who is the best of men? He replied: A man who fights in the way of Allah spending his wealth and staking his life. The man then asked: Who is next to him (in excellence)? He said: Next to him is a believer who lives in a mountain gorge worshipping hid Lord and sparing men from his mischief.
Reference : Sahih Muslim 1888aIn-book reference : Book 33, Hadith 182USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 20, Hadith 4652
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 1888a
This Hadith about the best of people records a man asking the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) who is best among men. The answer given is a man who fights in the way of Allah, spending his wealth and staking his life. When asked who comes next, the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) mentioned a believer in a mountain gorge who worships his Lord and spares people from his mischief. The wording brings together two themes: sincere sacrifice and not harming others. It does not describe worship as only private devotion, because the second person is also praised for keeping people safe from his harm. The Hadith gives a simple picture of a life built on devotion, sacrifice, and restraint.
What we learn from this hadith
- Spending wealth and risking life in Allah’s way is praised in the text.
- Worshipping Allah is linked with staying away from harming people.
- The Hadith values a believer who keeps others safe from his mischief.
- The question-and-answer style makes the ranking clear in this narration.
