36/25. Chapter:
Jami at-Tirmidhi 2334 — Human Hopes Exceed Life
What Has Been Related About The Curtailment Of Hope
Hadith About Human Hopes and Limited Lifespan
Jami at-Tirmidhi : 2334
Jami at-TirmidhiHadith Number 2334
حَدَّثَنَا سُوَيْدُ بْنُ نَصْرٍ، أَخْبَرَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ الْمُبَارَكِ، عَنْ حَمَّادِ بْنِ سَلَمَةَ، عَنْ عُبَيْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ أَبِي بَكْرِ بْنِ أَنَسٍ، عَنْ أَنَسِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " هَذَا ابْنُ آدَمَ وَهَذَا أَجَلُهُ " . وَوَضَعَ يَدَهُ عِنْدَ قَفَاهُ ثُمَّ بَسَطَهَا فَقَالَ " وَثَمَّ أَمَلُهُ وَثَمَّ أَمَلُهُ وَثَمَّ أَمَلُهُ " . قَالَ أَبُو عِيسَى هَذَا حَدِيثٌ حَسَنٌ صَحِيحٌ . وَفِي الْبَابِ عَنْ أَبِي سَعِيدٍ .
Anas bin Malik Narrated from:
The Messenger of Allah(s.a.w) said: "This Is The Son Of Adam, And This Is His Life-Span." And He Placed His Hand At The (Height Of The) Nape Of His Neck, Then He Extended It (Higher) And Said:" From There Is What Is Hoped For, From There Is What Is Hoped For."
Reference : Jami` at-Tirmidhi 2334In-book reference : Book 36, Hadith 31English translation : Vol. 4, Book 10, Hadith 2334
Summary of Jami at-Tirmidhi Hadith 2334
This hadith about human hopes uses a physical gesture to make the lesson clear. The Prophet (s.a.w) said, “This is the son of Adam, and this is his life-span,” while placing his hand near the nape of his neck. Then he extended it higher and said that from there is what is hoped for. The image shows that human hopes often stretch beyond the actual span of life. A person may plan, wish, and expect much more than the time he has. The hadith does not condemn every hope or plan. It reminds the believer that hopes must be kept in check, because life may end before many plans are reached.
What we learn from this hadith
- Human hopes can extend beyond a person’s actual lifespan.
- A believer should remember that life is limited while planning.
- The hadith encourages a balanced view of hopes and worldly plans.
