47/29. Chapter:
Jami at-Tirmidhi 3188 — Allah Guides Whom He Wills
Regarding Surat Al-Qasas
Allah Guides Whom He Wills Hadith
Jami at-Tirmidhi : 3188
Jami at-TirmidhiHadith Number 3188
حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ بَشَّارٍ، حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ سَعِيدٍ، عَنْ يَزِيدَ بْنِ كَيْسَانَ، حَدَّثَنِي أَبُو حَازِمٍ الأَشْجَعِيُّ، هُوَ كُوفِيٌّ اسْمُهُ سَلْمَانُ مَوْلَى عَزَّةَ الأَشْجَعِيَّةِ عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ رضى الله عنه قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم لِعَمِّهِ " قُلْ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ أَشْهَدْ لَكَ بِهَا يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ " . فَقَالَ لَوْلاَ أَنْ تُعَيِّرَنِي بِهَا قُرَيْشٌ أَنَّمَا يَحْمِلُهُ عَلَيْهِ الْجَزَعُ لأَقْرَرْتُ بِهَا عَيْنَكَ فَأَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ : (إنَّكَ لاَ تَهْدِي مَنْ أَحْبَبْتَ وَلَكِنَّ اللَّهَ يَهْدِي مَنْ يَشَاءُ ) . قَالَ أَبُو عِيسَى هَذَا حَدِيثٌ حَسَنٌ غَرِيبٌ لاَ نَعْرِفُهُ إِلاَّ مِنْ حَدِيثِ يَزِيدَ بْنِ كَيْسَانَ .
Abu Hurairah Narrated from:
The Messenger Of Allah (ﷺ) Said To His Uncle: 'Say La Ilaha Illallah And I May Bear Witness With That, On Your Behalf, On The Day Of Judgement.' So He Said: 'If It Weren'T That The Quraish Would Insult Me (Saying): He Only Said It Out Of Fright" Then I Would Delight Your Eyes.'Then Allah The Mighty And Sublime Revealed: Verily, You Guide Not Whom You Like, But Allah Guides Whom He Wills (28:56)."
Reference : Jami` at-Tirmidhi 3188In-book reference : Book 47, Hadith 240English translation : Vol. 5, Book 44, Hadith 3188
Summary of Jami at-Tirmidhi Hadith 3188
This hadith centers on guidance and the statement of La ilaha illallah. The Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) asked his uncle to say it so he could bear witness for him on the Day of Judgment. His uncle replied that fear of Quraish insulting him held him back, saying they would claim he only said it out of fright. Then the verse was revealed: You guide not whom you like, but Allah guides whom He wills. The hadith shows the Prophet's care and invitation, but it also makes clear that the final gift of guidance is from Allah. Social pressure is shown as a serious barrier in the text.
What we learn from this hadith
- The statement La ilaha illallah is central to faith.
- The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) invited with care, even to someone close to him.
- Guidance is in Allah's control, not in human hands.
- Fear of people's words can stop a person from accepting truth.
