41/1. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 2256a — The Truest Word in Poetry
Chapter
The Truest Word in Poetry: Apart from Allah Everything Is Vain
Sahih Muslim : 2256a
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 2256a
حَدَّثَنِي أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ، مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ الصَّبَّاحِ وَعَلِيُّ بْنُ حُجْرٍ السَّعْدِيُّ جَمِيعًا عَنْ شَرِيكٍ، قَالَ ابْنُ حُجْرٍ أَخْبَرَنَا شَرِيكٌ، عَنْ عَبْدِ الْمَلِكِ بْنِ عُمَيْرٍ، عَنْ أَبِي سَلَمَةَ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ " أَشْعَرُ كَلِمَةٍ تَكَلَّمَتْ بِهَا الْعَرَبُ كَلِمَةُ لَبِيدٍ أَلاَ كُلُّ شَىْءٍ مَا خَلاَ اللَّهَ بَاطِلٌ " .
Abu Hurairah Narrated from:
Abu Huraira reported Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) as saying: The truest word spoken by an Arab (pre-Islamic) in poetry is this verse of Labid: "Behold! apart from Allah everything is vain."
Reference : Sahih Muslim 2256aIn-book reference : Book 41, Hadith 3USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 28, Hadith 5604
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 2256a
This Hadith about the truest word in poetry points to a short line with a deep meaning. Abu Huraira reports that Allah's Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم said the truest word spoken by an Arab in poetry was the verse of Labid: “Behold! apart from Allah everything is vain.” The Hadith does not discuss Labid’s full poetry or give a long lesson on literature. It highlights one line because of its truth. For people searching for Labid poetry hadith, the main message is that words are valuable when they point the heart toward Allah and away from false attachment. The verse reminds us that created things are not lasting in themselves, while Allah alone is the real point of trust and worship.
What we learn from this hadith
- The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم singled out one poetic line for its truth.
- The verse points attention back to Allah.
- Poetry can carry truthful meaning when its message is sound.
- The Hadith teaches care in valuing words by their truth.
