33/76. Chapter:
Jami at-Tirmidhi 2263 — Best and Worst People
The Hadith "The Best Of You Is The One Whose Goodness Is Hoped For And Whose Evil People Are Safe From"
Hadith About the Best and Worst People
Jami at-Tirmidhi : 2263
Jami at-TirmidhiHadith Number 2263
حَدَّثَنَا قُتَيْبَةُ، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الْعَزِيزِ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ، عَنِ الْعَلاَءِ بْنِ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَقَفَ عَلَى أُنَاسٍ جُلُوسٍ فَقَالَ " أَلاَ أُخْبِرُكُمْ بِخَيْرِكُمْ مِنْ شَرِّكُمْ " . قَالَ فَسَكَتُوا فَقَالَ ذَلِكَ ثَلاَثَ مَرَّاتٍ فَقَالَ رَجُلٌ بَلَى يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ أَخْبِرْنَا بِخَيْرِنَا مِنْ شَرِّنَا . قَالَ " خَيْرُكُمْ مَنْ يُرْجَى خَيْرُهُ وَيُؤْمَنُ شَرُّهُ وَشَرُّكُمْ مَنْ لاَ يُرْجَى خَيْرُهُ وَلاَ يُؤْمَنُ شَرُّهُ " . قَالَ أَبُو عِيسَى هَذَا حَدِيثٌ حَسَنٌ صَحِيحٌ .
Abu Hurairah Narrated from:
The Messenger of Allah(s.a.w) came across some people who were sitting, so he said: 'Shall I Not Inform You Of The Best Of You From Your Worst?'" He Said: "They Became Silent, So He Said That Three Times, Then A Man Said: 'Of Course, O Messenger Of Allah! Inform Us Of The Best Among Us From Our Worst.' He Said: 'The Best Of You Is The One Whose Goodness Is Hoped For, And People Are Safe From His Evil. And The Worst Of You Is He Whose Goodness Is Not Hoped For, And People Are Not Safe From His Evil.'"
Reference : Jami` at-Tirmidhi 2263In-book reference : Book 33, Hadith 106English translation : Vol. 4, Book 7, Hadith 2263
Summary of Jami at-Tirmidhi Hadith 2263
This hadith about good character gives a clear way to think about the best and worst people. The Prophet (S.A.W) asked the sitting people if he should tell them the best from the worst. After he repeated the question, a man asked him to explain. The answer was short and powerful: the best person is one whose goodness is hoped for and whose evil people are safe from. The worst person is one whose goodness is not expected and whose evil people do not feel safe from. This hadith teaches that character is not only about private worship. It also shows in how safe, hopeful, and at peace people feel around us.
What we learn from this hadith
- A good person is known by the good people can hope from him.
- People should feel safe from a believer’s harm.
- Bad character includes being someone whose harm people fear.
- The hadith measures character through real effects on others.
