47/40. Chapter:
Jami at-Tirmidhi 3238 — Allah Is the King
Regarding Surat Az-Zumar
Hadith About They Made Not a Just Estimate of Allah
Jami at-Tirmidhi : 3238
Jami at-TirmidhiHadith Number 3238
حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ بَشَّارٍ، حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ سَعِيدٍ، حَدَّثَنَا سُفْيَانُ، حَدَّثَنِي مَنْصُورٌ، وَسُلَيْمَانُ الأَعْمَشُ، عَنْ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، عَنْ عَبِيدَةَ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ، قَالَ جَاءَ يَهُودِيٌّ إِلَى النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَقَالَ يَا مُحَمَّدُ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُمْسِكُ السَّمَوَاتِ عَلَى إِصْبَعٍ وَالأَرَضِينَ عَلَى إِصْبَعٍ وَالْجِبَالَ عَلَى إِصْبَعٍ وَالْخَلاَئِقَ عَلَى إِصْبَعٍ ثُمَّ يَقُولُ أَنَا الْمَلِكُ . قَالَ فَضَحِكَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم حَتَّى بَدَتْ نَوَاجِذُهُ قَالَ : (ومَا قَدَرُوا اللَّهَ حَقَّ قَدْرِهِ ) . قَالَ هَذَا حَدِيثٌ حَسَنٌ صَحِيحٌ .
`Abdullah Narrated from:
A Jew Came To The Prophet (ﷺ) And Said: 'O Muhammad! Allah Will Seize The Heavens Upon A Finger, The Mountains Upon A Finger, The Earths Upon A Finger, And The Rest Of Creation Upon A Finger. Then He Says: 'I Am The King.'" He Said: 'So The Messenger Of Allah (ﷺ) Laughed Until His Molars Were Visible.He Said: "They Made Not A Just Estimate Of Allah Such As Is Due To Him (39:67)."
Reference : Jami` at-Tirmidhi 3238In-book reference : Book 47, Hadith 290English translation : Vol. 5, Book 44, Hadith 3238
Summary of Jami at-Tirmidhi Hadith 3238
This hadith about they made not a just estimate of Allah records a statement made to the Prophet by a Jew. He said Allah will seize the heavens, mountains, earths, and the rest of creation upon fingers, then say: I am the King. The Prophet laughed until his molars were visible, and then recited the verse: they made not a just estimate of Allah such as is due to Him. The wording points to Allah’s greatness and kingship. When explaining this hadith, it is important to stay with the text and not add details beyond it. The main message is that creation is under Allah’s power, and Allah is the King.
What we learn from this hadith
- The hadith points to Allah’s greatness over the heavens, earths, mountains, and creation.
- The statement ends with Allah saying: I am the King.
- The Prophet recited the verse about not estimating Allah rightly.
- The narration should be explained with care and without adding details outside the text.
