36/39. Chapter:
Jami at-Tirmidhi 2368 — Ashab As-Suffah and Hunger
What Has Been Related About The Subsistence Of The Companions Of The Prophet (s.a.w) And His Family
Hadith About Ashab As-Suffah and Poverty
Jami at-Tirmidhi : 2368
Jami at-TirmidhiHadith Number 2368
حَدَّثَنَا الْعَبَّاسُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ الدُّورِيُّ، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ يَزِيدَ، حَدَّثَنَا حَيْوَةُ بْنُ شُرَيْحٍ، أَخْبَرَنِي أَبُو هَانِئٍ الْخَوْلاَنِيُّ، أَنَّ أَبَا عَلِيٍّ، عَمْرَو بْنَ مَالِكٍ الْجَنْبِيَّ أَخْبَرَهُ عَنْ فَضَالَةَ بْنِ عُبَيْدٍ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم كَانَ إِذَا صَلَّى بِالنَّاسِ يَخِرُّ رِجَالٌ مِنْ قَامَتِهِمْ فِي الصَّلاَةِ مِنَ الْخَصَاصَةِ وَهُمْ أَصْحَابُ الصُّفَّةِ حَتَّى تَقُولَ الأَعْرَابُ هَؤُلاَءِ مَجَانِينُ أَوْ مَجَانُونَ فَإِذَا صَلَّى رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم انْصَرَفَ إِلَيْهِمْ فَقَالَ " لَوْ تَعْلَمُونَ مَا لَكُمْ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ لأَحْبَبْتُمْ أَنْ تَزْدَادُوا فَاقَةً وَحَاجَةً " . قَالَ فَضَالَةُ وَأَنَا يَوْمَئِذٍ مَعَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم . قَالَ أَبُو عِيسَى هَذَا حَدِيثٌ حَسَنٌ صَحِيحٌ .
Fadalah bin 'Ubaid Narrated from:
When the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w) would lead the people in Salat some men would collapse among them during the Salat due to hunger – they were among them Ashab As-suffah – such that a Bedouin would say : 'These People Are Mad' Or "Possessed." So When The Messenger Of Allah (S.A.W) Finished The Salah, He Turned To Them And Said: 'If You Knew What Was In Store For You With Allah Then You Would Love To Be Increased In Poverty And Need.'” Fadalah Said: “And On That Day, I Was With The Messenger Of Allah(S.A.W).” (Hasan)
Reference : Jami` at-Tirmidhi 2368In-book reference : Book 36, Hadith 65English translation : Vol. 4, Book 10, Hadith 2368
Summary of Jami at-Tirmidhi Hadith 2368
This hadith about Ashab As-Suffah describes men collapsing during Salat because of hunger. Some Bedouins saw them and thought they were mad or possessed. After the prayer, the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w) turned to them and said that if they knew what was in store for them with Allah, they would love to be increased in poverty and need. The hadith speaks about a specific group and a specific hardship. It should not be used to make careless claims that poverty is always easy or that people should seek suffering. The text gives comfort to those who were already bearing hunger with faith and patience.
What we learn from this hadith
- Some believers endured hunger while still attending prayer.
- People may misunderstand hardship when they only see its outward signs.
- The Prophet’s words gave comfort to those facing poverty and need.
