43/9. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 2304a — A Warning About Changes After the Prophet
The Cistern Of Our Prophet (SAW) And Its Attributes
Hadith About the Cistern: A Warning Against Later Changes
Sahih Muslim : 2304a
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 2304a
وَحَدَّثَنِي مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ حَاتِمٍ، حَدَّثَنَا عَفَّانُ بْنُ مُسْلِمٍ الصَّفَّارُ، حَدَّثَنَا وُهَيْبٌ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ عَبْدَ الْعَزِيزِ بْنَ صُهَيْبٍ، يُحَدِّثُ قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا أَنَسُ بْنُ مَالِكٍ، أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ " لَيَرِدَنَّ عَلَىَّ الْحَوْضَ رِجَالٌ مِمَّنْ صَاحَبَنِي حَتَّى إِذَا رَأَيْتُهُمْ وَرُفِعُوا إِلَىَّ اخْتُلِجُوا دُونِي فَلأَقُولَنَّ أَىْ رَبِّ أُصَيْحَابِي أُصَيْحَابِي . فَلَيُقَالَنَّ لِي إِنَّكَ لاَ تَدْرِي مَا أَحْدَثُوا بَعْدَكَ " .
Anas bin Malik Narrated from:
Anas b. Malik reported Allah's Apostle (ﷺ) as saying: Some persons from amongst my associates would turn to my Cistern; when I would see them and they would be presented to me, they would be detained in the way while coming to me. I would say: My Lord, they are my companions, they are my companions, and it would be said to me: You don't know what innovations they made after you.
Reference : Sahih Muslim 2304aIn-book reference : Book 43, Hadith 56USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 30, Hadith 5706
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 2304a
This Hadith about the Cistern carries a strong warning. Anas b. Malik reports that some persons from among the Prophet’s associates would come toward his Cistern. When the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم sees them and they are presented to him, they are stopped before reaching him. He says, “My Lord, they are my companions,” and he is told that he does not know what they introduced after him. The wording should be handled carefully. The report does not ask us to name people or make claims beyond the text. Its message is clear enough: coming close is not the same as being accepted at the Cistern, and changes made after the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم matter deeply.
What we learn from this hadith
- Some people from among those associated with the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم are stopped before reaching him.
- The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم calls out with concern for them.
- He is told that changes were made after him.
- The Hadith warns against taking the Prophet’s way lightly.
