Question

What is the explanation of Hadith:

“Man khafa adlaja wa man adlaja balaghal manzil. Ala inna sil ‘atallahi ghaliyah, ala inna sil ‘atallihil Jannah”

Answer

Imam Tirmidhi (rahimahullah) has recorded this narration on the authority of Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah (radiyallahu ‘anhu)

(Sunan Tirmidhi, Hadith: 2450. Declared sound –hasan– by Imam Tirmidhi)

Translation and explanation

“Whomsoever fears [thieves/the enemy attacking him if he travels in the early hours of the morning] should travel at nightfall and whomsoever travels at nightfall will surely reach his destination. Verily Allah’s merchandise is expensive. Allah’s merchandise is Jannah”

The commentators of Hadith explain that just as a person who is undertaking a journey makes the necessary travel arrangements and sets out as night falls, the one travelling to the Akhirah [Hereafter] should similarly prepare for this journey and be wary of Shaytan. If a person does this, he will attain Allah’s merchandise which is Jannah.

Some have explained that this Hadith is actually encouraging one to perform Tahajjud Salah since waking up for Tahajjud is a sign that one fears Allah.

Just as a fearful person abandons his sleep and sets out on a journey at nightfall, so too does one who fears Allah Ta’ala, abandon sleep and perform Tahajjud Salah.

(Refer: Tuhfatul Ahwadhi, Hadith: 2450, Faydul Qadir, Hadith: 8653, Sharhut Tibi and Mirqat, Hadith: 5348. Also see Dalilul Falihin, vol. 2, pg. 270, Hadith: 411)

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.

Answered by: Mawlana Suhail Motala

Approved by: Mawlana Muhammad Abasoomar

Checked by: Mawlana Haroon Abasoomar