44/35. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 2492a — Hadith Memory
The Virtues Of Abu Hurairah [Ad-Dawsi] (RA)
Abu Huraira Memorization Hadith: The Spread Cloth
Sahih Muslim : 2492a
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 2492a
حَدَّثَنَا قُتَيْبَةُ بْنُ سَعِيدٍ، وَأَبُو بَكْرِ بْنُ أَبِي شَيْبَةَ وَزُهَيْرُ بْنُ حَرْبٍ جَمِيعًا عَنْ سُفْيَانَ، قَالَ زُهَيْرٌ حَدَّثَنَا سُفْيَانُ بْنُ عُيَيْنَةَ، عَنِ الزُّهْرِيِّ، عَنِ الأَعْرَجِ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ أَبَا هُرَيْرَةَ، يَقُولُ إِنَّكُمْ تَزْعُمُونَ أَنَّ أَبَا هُرَيْرَةَ، يُكْثِرُ الْحَدِيثَ عَنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَاللَّهُ الْمَوْعِدُ كُنْتُ رَجُلاً مِسْكِينًا أَخْدُمُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم عَلَى مِلْءِ بَطْنِي وَكَانَ الْمُهَاجِرُونَ يَشْغَلُهُمُ الصَّفْقُ بِالأَسْوَاقِ وَكَانَتِ الأَنْصَارُ يَشْغَلُهُمُ الْقِيَامُ عَلَى أَمْوَالِهِمْ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " مَنْ يَبْسُطُ ثَوْبَهُ فَلَنْ يَنْسَى شَيْئًا سَمِعَهُ مِنِّي " . فَبَسَطْتُ ثَوْبِي حَتَّى قَضَى حَدِيثَهُ ثُمَّ ضَمَمْتُهُ إِلَىَّ فَمَا نَسِيتُ شَيْئًا سَمِعْتُهُ مِنْهُ .
Abu Hurairah Narrated from:
You are under the impression that Abu Huraira transmits so many ahadith from Allah's Messenger (may peace up upon him); (bear in mind) Allah is the great Reckoner. I was a poor man and I served Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) being satisfied with bare subsistence, whereas the immigrants remained busy with transactions in the bazar; while the Ansar had been engaged in looking after their properties.(He further reported) that Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said: He who spreads the cloth would not forget anything that he would hear from me. I spread my cloth until he narrated something. I then pressed it against my (chest), so I never forgot anything that I heard from him.
Reference : Sahih Muslim 2492aIn-book reference : Book 44, Hadith 227USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 31, Hadith 6083
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 2492a
This Abu Huraira memorization hadith explains why he narrated many reports from Allah’s Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم. Abu Huraira says people thought he transmitted many ahadith, but Allah is the Reckoner. He then explains his situation. He was poor and stayed close to the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم, serving him while being satisfied with basic food. The Muhajirun were busy with trade in the markets, and the Ansar were busy with their properties. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said that whoever spread his cloth would not forget what he heard from him. Abu Huraira spread his cloth, then pressed it to his chest after the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم spoke. He says he never forgot anything he heard from him after that. The hadith centers on presence, service, and Allah-given memory.
What we learn from this hadith
- Abu Huraira stayed close to the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم and heard what others sometimes missed.
- His many narrations are explained through his time with the Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم.
- The spread cloth incident is linked to his strong memory.
- The hadith shows respect for preserving what was heard.
