Question

I have been searching for a Hadith Qudsi that I heard years ago. It really touched my heart. I’m not sure I have it remembered correctly but it goes something like this:

Allah Ta’ala says, “I create worship and sustain man, but he worships someone else. If anyone comes to me by a hand span I move to him an arms length. If he comes to me walking I go to him running. I am more tender with the believer than a mother with her newborn son.”

Please source the Hadith.

Answer

This seems to be a combination of the following Hadiths:

1) Allah Ta’ala says: “O son of Adam, I created you, sustain you and you worship someone else? Son of Adam, I call you and you flee from me? Son of Adam, I remember you and you forget me?”

See the authenticity and reference here.

2) Allah Ta’ala says, “If he comes near Me by a hand span, I come near him a cubit. If he comes near Me by a cubit, I come near the distance of an outstretched arm. When he comes to me walking, I come to him running.”

(Sahih Bukhari, Hadith: 7405-7536-7537, Sahih Muslim, 2675)

3) Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Allah is more merciful to His slaves than this woman is to her child.”

(Sahih Bukhari, Hadith: 5999 and Sahih Muslim, Hadith: 2754. See the full Hadith here)

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.

Answered by: Mawlana Suhail Motala

Approved by: Mawlana Muhammad Abasoomar

Checked by: Mawlana Haroon Abasoomar