46/7. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 2663d — Fixed Decree and Better Dua
Lifespans, Provisions, Etc. Do Not Increase Or Decrease From What Has Already Been Decreed
Fixed Decree and the Dua That Benefits
Sahih Muslim : 2663d
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 2663d
حَدَّثَنَا إِسْحَاقُ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ الْحَنْظَلِيُّ، وَحَجَّاجُ بْنُ الشَّاعِرِ، - وَاللَّفْظُ لِحَجَّاجٍ - قَالَ إِسْحَاقُ أَخْبَرَنَا وَقَالَ، حَجَّاجٌ حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الرَّزَّاقِ، أَخْبَرَنَا الثَّوْرِيُّ، عَنْ عَلْقَمَةَ بْنِ مَرْثَدٍ، عَنِ الْمُغِيرَةِ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ الْيَشْكُرِيِّ، عَنْ مَعْرُورِ بْنِ سُوَيْدٍ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ مَسْعُودٍ، قَالَ قَالَتْ أُمُّ حَبِيبَةَ اللَّهُمَّ مَتِّعْنِي بِزَوْجِي رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَبِأَبِي أَبِي سُفْيَانَ وَبِأَخِي مُعَاوِيَةَ . فَقَالَ لَهَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " إِنَّكِ سَأَلْتِ اللَّهَ لآجَالٍ مَضْرُوبَةٍ وَآثَارٍ مَوْطُوءَةٍ وَأَرْزَاقٍ مَقْسُومَةٍ لاَ يُعَجِّلُ شَيْئًا مِنْهَا قَبْلَ حِلِّهِ وَلاَ يُؤَخِّرُ مِنْهَا شَيْئًا بَعْدَ حِلِّهِ وَلَوْ سَأَلْتِ اللَّهَ أَنْ يُعَافِيَكِ مِنْ عَذَابٍ فِي النَّارِ وَعَذَابٍ فِي الْقَبْرِ لَكَانَ خَيْرًا لَكِ " . قَالَ فَقَالَ رَجُلٌ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ الْقِرَدَةُ وَالْخَنَازِيرُ هِيَ مِمَّا مُسِخَ فَقَالَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم " إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ لَمْ يُهْلِكْ قَوْمًا أَوْ يُعَذِّبْ قَوْمًا فَيَجْعَلَ لَهُمْ نَسْلاً وَإِنَّ الْقِرَدَةَ وَالْخَنَازِيرَ كَانُوا قَبْلَ ذَلِكَ " . حَدَّثَنِيهِ أَبُو دَاوُدَ، سُلَيْمَانُ بْنُ مَعْبَدٍ حَدَّثَنَا الْحُسَيْنُ بْنُ حَفْصٍ، حَدَّثَنَا سُفْيَانُ، بِهَذَا الإِسْنَادِ غَيْرَ أَنَّهُ قَالَ " وَآثَارٍ مَبْلُوغَةٍ " . قَالَ ابْنُ مَعْبَدٍ وَرَوَى بَعْضُهُمْ " قَبْلَ حِلِّهِ " . أَىْ نُزُولِهِ .
Ibn Mas'dd Narrated from:
Umm Habiba said: 0 Allah, enable me to derive benefit from my husband, Allah's Messenger (ﷺ), and from my father Abu Sufyan, and from my brother Mu'awiya.Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said to her: Verily, you have asked Allah about the durations of life already set, and the steps which you would take, and the sustenances the share of which is fixed. Nothing would take place earlier than its due time, and nothing would be deferred beyond that when it is due. So, if you were to ask Allah about your safety from the torment of Hell-Fire and from the torment of the grave, it would have been better for you.A person said: Allah's Messenger, what about those apes and swine which suffered metamorphosis? Thereupon Allah's Apostle (ﷺ) said: Verily, Allah, the Exalted and Glorious, did not destroy a people or did not torment a people, and let their race grow. Apes and swine had been even before that (when the deniers of truth were tormented and suffered metamorphosis).This hadith has been narrated on the authority of Sufyin through another chain of transmitters but with a slight variation of wording.
Reference : Sahih Muslim 2663dIn-book reference : Book 46, Hadith 51USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 33, Hadith 6440
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 2663d
This Hadith about fixed decree and better dua gives a clear lesson through Umm Habiba's request. She asked Allah to let her benefit from the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم), Abu Sufyan, and Mu'awiya. The Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) explained that she had asked about set lifespans, walked steps, and divided provision. Nothing comes before its due time, and nothing is delayed after its due time. He then taught that asking Allah for safety from the torment of Hellfire and the torment of the grave would be better. The narration also answers a question about apes and swine, stating that those who were transformed did not have descendants, and that apes and swine existed before that.
What we learn from this hadith
- Lifespans and provision happen by Allah's set decree.
- Seeking safety from Hellfire and grave torment is a better request.
- The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) corrected a dua by guiding it toward greater benefit.
