44/82. Chapter:
Jami at-Tirmidhi 2872 — Rare Reliable People
What Has Been Related About The Parable Of The Son Of Adam, His Lifespan And His Hope
Hadith About People Like One Hundred Camels
Jami at-Tirmidhi : 2872
Jami at-TirmidhiHadith Number 2872
حَدَّثَنَا الْحَسَنُ بْنُ عَلِيٍّ الْخَلاَّلُ وَغَيْرُ وَاحِدٍ، قَالُوا حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الرَّزَّاقِ، قَالَ أَخْبَرَنَا مَعْمَرٌ، عَنِ الزُّهْرِيِّ، عَنْ سَالِمٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " إِنَّمَا النَّاسُ كَإِبِلٍ مِائَةٍ لاَ يَجِدُ الرَّجُلُ فِيهَا رَاحِلَةً " . قَالَ أَبُو عِيسَى هَذَا حَدِيثٌ حَسَنٌ صَحِيحٌ .
Narrated Ibn 'Umar: That The Messenger Of Allah (ﷺ) Said: "People Are But Like A Hundred Camels, A Man Can Not Find A Mount (Suitable To Ride Upon) Among Them."
Reference : Jami` at-Tirmidhi 2872In-book reference : Book 44, Hadith 15English translation : Vol. 5, Book 42, Hadith 2872
Summary of Jami at-Tirmidhi Hadith 2872
This hadith about people like one hundred camels gives a short parable about human quality and suitability. The Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) says that people are like a hundred camels, and a man cannot find a mount among them. The wording points to the idea that not every camel is suitable for riding, even if there are many camels. In the same way, not every person is suitable for every serious trust or task. The hadith should be read with balance. It does not call people worthless. It uses a practical image to show that a truly suitable person can be rare. It encourages careful choice, self-improvement, and honest judgment.
What we learn from this hadith
- A large number of people does not mean many are suitable for every trust.
- The camel image points to rarity of a reliable mount.
- The hadith encourages care when choosing people for serious roles.
- It also invites a person to work on becoming more dependable.
