10/64. Chapter:
Jami at-Tirmidhi 1061 — Child Loss as a Fortress from Fire
What Has Been Related About The Rewards For One Whose Child Died Before Him
Hadith About Child Loss and Protection from Fire
Jami at-Tirmidhi : 1061
Jami at-TirmidhiHadith Number 1061
حَدَّثَنَا نَصْرُ بْنُ عَلِيٍّ الْجَهْضَمِيُّ، حَدَّثَنَا إِسْحَاقُ بْنُ يُوسُفَ، حَدَّثَنَا الْعَوَّامُ بْنُ حَوْشَبٍ، عَنْ أَبِي مُحَمَّدٍ، مَوْلَى عُمَرَ بْنِ الْخَطَّابِ عَنْ أَبِي عُبَيْدَةَ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ مَسْعُودٍ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " مَنْ قَدَّمَ ثَلاَثَةً لَمْ يَبْلُغُوا الْحُلُمَ كَانُوا لَهُ حِصْنًا حَصِينًا مِنَ النَّارِ " . قَالَ أَبُو ذَرٍّ قَدَّمْتُ اثْنَيْنِ . قَالَ " وَاثْنَيْنِ " . فَقَالَ أُبَىُّ بْنُ كَعْبٍ سَيِّدُ الْقُرَّاءِ قَدَّمْتُ وَاحِدًا قَالَ " وَوَاحِدًا وَلَكِنْ إِنَّمَا ذَاكَ عِنْدَ الصَّدْمَةِ الأُولَى " . قَالَ أَبُو عِيسَى هَذَا حَدِيثٌ غَرِيبٌ . وَأَبُو عُبَيْدَةَ لَمْ يَسْمَعْ مِنْ أَبِيهِ .
'Abdullah bin Mas'ud Narrated from:
The Messenger Of Allah Said: "Whoever Has Three That Precede Him (In Death) While They Did Not Reach The Age Of Puberty, Then They Will Be A Well-Fortified Fortress For Him Against The Fire."
[1] See no. 987.Reference : Jami` at-Tirmidhi 1061In-book reference : Book 10, Hadith 97English translation : Vol. 2, Book 5, Hadith 1061
Summary of Jami at-Tirmidhi Hadith 1061
This hadith about child loss gives deep comfort to a parent who has suffered the death of children before puberty. The Prophet says that three such children can be a well-fortified fortress against the Fire. The narration also mentions Abu Dharr asking about two, and Ubayy bin Ka'b asking about one. The Prophet includes both, while also saying that this meaning is tied to the first shock of the loss. So the focus is not only grief, but patient response when the pain first hits. The hadith speaks to bereaved parents with mercy, while reminding believers that the hardest moments can carry a serious reward when faced with faith.
What we learn from this hadith
- A child who dies before puberty may become a source of protection for the parent by Allah's mercy.
- The first moment of grief is a key test of patience and faith.
- Islam gives real comfort to parents without denying the pain of loss.
