44/82. Chapter:
Jami at-Tirmidhi 2871 — Allah Gives His Favor
What Has Been Related About The Parable Of The Son Of Adam, His Lifespan And His Hope
Hadith About Allah's Favor and the Workers' Parable
Jami at-Tirmidhi : 2871
Jami at-TirmidhiHadith Number 2871
حَدَّثَنَا إِسْحَاقُ بْنُ مُوسَى، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا مَعْنٌ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا مَالِكٌ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ دِينَارٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ " إِنَّمَا أَجَلُكُمْ فِيمَا خَلاَ مِنَ الأُمَمِ كَمَا بَيْنَ صَلاَةِ الْعَصْرِ إِلَى مَغَارِبِ الشَّمْسِ وَإِنَّمَا مَثَلُكُمْ وَمَثَلُ الْيَهُودِ وَالنَّصَارَى كَرَجُلٍ اسْتَعْمَلَ عُمَّالاً فَقَالَ مَنْ يَعْمَلُ لِي إِلَى نِصْفِ النَّهَارِ عَلَى قِيرَاطٍ قِيرَاطٍ فَعَمِلَتِ الْيَهُودُ عَلَى قِيرَاطٍ قِيرَاطٍ فَقَالَ مَنْ يَعْمَلُ لِي مِنْ نِصْفِ النَّهَارِ إِلَى الْعَصْرِ عَلَى قِيرَاطٍ قِيرَاطٍ فَعَمِلَتِ النَّصَارَى عَلَى قِيرَاطٍ قِيرَاطٍ ثُمَّ أَنْتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ مِنْ صَلاَةِ الْعَصْرِ إِلَى مَغَارِبِ الشَّمْسِ عَلَى قِيرَاطَيْنِ قِيرَاطَيْنِ فَغَضِبَتِ الْيَهُودُ وَالنَّصَارَى وَقَالُوا نَحْنُ أَكْثَرُ عَمَلاً وَأَقَلُّ عَطَاءً . قَالَ هَلْ ظَلَمْتُكُمْ مِنْ حَقِّكُمْ شَيْئًا قَالُوا لاَ . قَالَ فَإِنَّهُ فَضْلِي أُوتِيهِ مَنْ أَشَاءُ " . هَذَا حَدِيثٌ حَسَنٌ صَحِيحٌ .
Narrated Ibn 'Umar: That The Messenger Of Allah (ﷺ) Said: "Your Period In Comparison To The Periods Of The Previous Nations, Is Like The Period Between Salat Al-'Asr Until Sunset. And You Are In Comparison To The Jews And Christians, Like A Man Who Employeed Some Workers And He Said: 'Who Will Work For Me Until Midday For A Qirat Each?' So The Jews Worked For Half A Day For A Qirat Each. Then He Said: 'Who Will Work For Me From The Middle Of The Day Until Salat Al-'Asr For A Qirat Each?' So The Christians Worked For A Qirat Each. Then It Is You Who Are Doing The Work From Salat Al-'Asr Until The Setting Of The Sun For Two Qirats Each. So The Jews And The Christians Got Angry And Said: 'We Did More Work But Were Given Less?' So He (Allah) Says: 'Have I Wronged You In Any Of Your Rights?' They Said: 'No.' He Says: 'Then It Is My Blessing That I Give To Whomever I Wish.'"
Reference : Jami` at-Tirmidhi 2871In-book reference : Book 44, Hadith 14English translation : Vol. 5, Book 42, Hadith 2871
Summary of Jami at-Tirmidhi Hadith 2871
This hadith about Allah's favor compares the period of this Ummah with earlier nations to the time from Asr until sunset. The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) then gives a parable of workers hired for different parts of the day. The first group worked until midday for one qirat each. The second worked until Asr for one qirat each. The last group worked from Asr until sunset for two qirats each. When the earlier workers objected, they were asked whether any of their rights had been wronged. They said no. The reply was that this is Allah's blessing, and He gives it to whom He wishes. The lesson is about fairness, reward, and divine favor.
What we learn from this hadith
- Allah may give extra favor without wronging anyone's right.
- The workers received what they had agreed to receive.
- The Ummah is compared to workers in the later part of the day.
- The hadith teaches gratitude for Allah's blessing rather than objection.
