33/34. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 1889a — Best Life in Worship
The virtue of Jihad and keeping watch over the frontier
Best Life Hadith: Worship, Zakat, and Steadfast Devotion
Sahih Muslim : 1889a
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 1889a
حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ يَحْيَى التَّمِيمِيُّ، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الْعَزِيزِ بْنُ أَبِي حَازِمٍ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ بَعْجَةَ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، عَنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم أَنَّهُ قَالَ " مِنْ خَيْرِ مَعَاشِ النَّاسِ لَهُمْ رَجُلٌ مُمْسِكٌ عِنَانَ فَرَسِهِ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ يَطِيرُ عَلَى مَتْنِهِ كُلَّمَا سَمِعَ هَيْعَةً أَوْ فَزْعَةً طَارَ عَلَيْهِ يَبْتَغِي الْقَتْلَ وَالْمَوْتَ مَظَانَّهُ أَوْ رَجُلٌ فِي غُنَيْمَةٍ فِي رَأْسِ شَعَفَةٍ مِنْ هَذِهِ الشَّعَفِ أَوْ بَطْنِ وَادٍ مِنْ هَذِهِ الأَوْدِيَةِ يُقِيمُ الصَّلاَةَ وَيُؤْتِي الزَّكَاةَ وَيَعْبُدُ رَبَّهُ حَتَّى يَأْتِيَهُ الْيَقِينُ لَيْسَ مِنَ النَّاسِ إِلاَّ فِي خَيْرٍ " .
Abu Hurairah Narrated from:
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: Of the men he lives the best life who holds the reins of his horse (ever ready to march) in the way of Allah, flies on its back whenever he hears a fearful shriek, or a call for help, flies to it seeking death at places where it can be expected. (Next to him) is a man who lives with his sheep at a hill-top or in a valley, says his prayers regularly, gives Zakat and worships his Lord until death comes to him. There is no better person among men except these two.
Reference : Sahih Muslim 1889aIn-book reference : Book 33, Hadith 185USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 20, Hadith 4655
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 1889a
This Hadith about the best life describes two people in strong terms. One holds the reins of his horse in the way of Allah, ready to respond when he hears a cry or call for help. The other lives with his sheep on a hilltop or in a valley, establishes prayer, gives Zakat, and worships his Lord until death comes. The narration uses clear images of readiness, worship, and a simple life. It does not praise idleness. The second person is described through steady duties: prayer, Zakat, and worship. For readers searching for a Hadith about worship until death, this report shows a life centered on Allah while staying among people only in good.
What we learn from this hadith
- Readiness in Allah’s way is praised in the first example.
- Prayer and Zakat are named as regular duties in the second example.
- Worship continues until death comes.
- The Hadith values being among people in a way that brings good.
