41/1. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 2256e — Labid’s Truest Word
Chapter
Labid Hadith: The Truest Word Spoken by a Poet
Sahih Muslim : 2256e
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 2256e
وَحَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ يَحْيَى، أَخْبَرَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ زَكَرِيَّاءَ، عَنْ إِسْرَائِيلَ، عَنْ عَبْدِ الْمَلِكِ، بْنِ عُمَيْرٍ عَنْ أَبِي سَلَمَةَ بْنِ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ أَبَا هُرَيْرَةَ، يَقُولُ سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقُولُ " إِنَّ أَصْدَقَ كَلِمَةٍ قَالَهَا شَاعِرٌ كَلِمَةُ لَبِيدٍ أَلاَ كُلُّ شَىْءٍ مَا خَلاَ اللَّهَ بَاطِلٌ " . مَا زَادَ عَلَى ذَلِكَ .
Abu Hurairah Narrated from:
I heard Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) as saying: The truest word which the poet stated is the word of Labid: "Behold! apart from Allah everything is vain."
Reference : Sahih Muslim 2256eIn-book reference : Book 41, Hadith 7USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 28, Hadith 5608
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 2256e
This Hadith about the truest word of a poet comes from Abu Huraira, who says he heard Allah's Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم say that the truest word stated by a poet was the word of Labid: “Behold! apart from Allah everything is vain.” The report then notes that nothing was added beyond that. This makes the message very clear and narrow. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم chose one line for its truth. The line is a reminder that whatever is apart from Allah is vain in comparison with Him. For searches like Labid hadith and truest word in poetry, this narration is useful because it gives the exact teaching without extra detail. It teaches us to listen for truth in speech and to keep Allah at the center of our understanding.
What we learn from this hadith
- The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم named Labid’s line as the truest word of a poet.
- The narration keeps the message limited to that one line.
- Truthful words can guide the heart toward Allah.
- The Hadith helps us judge speech by meaning, not only by style.
