36/22. Chapter:
Jami at-Tirmidhi 2330 — Best and Worst Use of Life
Which Of The People Is The Best And Which Of Them Is The Worst
Hadith About Long Life With Good or Bad Deeds
Jami at-Tirmidhi : 2330
Jami at-TirmidhiHadith Number 2330
حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو حَفْصٍ، عَمْرُو بْنُ عَلِيٍّ حَدَّثَنَا خَالِدُ بْنُ الْحَارِثِ، حَدَّثَنَا شُعْبَةُ، عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ زَيْدٍ، عَنْ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنِ أَبِي بَكْرَةَ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، أَنَّ رَجُلاً، قَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ أَىُّ النَّاسِ خَيْرٌ قَالَ " مَنْ طَالَ عُمُرُهُ وَحَسُنَ عَمَلُهُ " . قَالَ فَأَىُّ النَّاسِ شَرٌّ قَالَ " مَنْ طَالَ عُمُرُهُ وَسَاءَ عَمَلُهُ " . قَالَ أَبُو عِيسَى هَذَا حَدِيثٌ حَسَنٌ صَحِيحٌ .
'Abdur-Rahman bin Abi Bakrah Narrated from:
A man said: "O Messenger Of Allah! Which Of The People Is The Best?" He Said: "He Whose Life Is Long And His Deeds Are Good." He Said: "Then Which Of The People Is The Worst?" He Said: "He Whose Life Is Long And His Deeds Are Bad."
Reference : Jami` at-Tirmidhi 2330In-book reference : Book 36, Hadith 27English translation : Vol. 4, Book 10, Hadith 2330
Summary of Jami at-Tirmidhi Hadith 2330
This hadith about good deeds gives both sides of the lesson. A man asked the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w) which people are best. He answered: the one whose life is long and whose deeds are good. Then the man asked which people are worst. The Prophet (s.a.w) answered: the one whose life is long and whose deeds are bad. The hadith makes the point very clear. Time itself is not enough. A long life can raise a person when it is filled with good deeds, and it can become a loss when it is filled with bad deeds. The hadith encourages honest self-review about how life is being spent.
What we learn from this hadith
- Long life is better when it is used for good deeds.
- Bad deeds can turn extra time into a serious loss.
- A person should measure life by actions, not only by age.
