Question

Is the following Hadith reliable?

“When a servant’s sins become so numerous that he has no good deeds left to compensate, then Allah tries him with sadness as an expiation for him.”

Answer

Imam Ahmad (rahimahullah) and others have recorded this narration with a weak chain.

(Musnad Ahmad, vol. 6, pg. 157. Also see Targhib, vol. 4, pg. 287 and Majma’uz Zawaid, vol. 2, pg. 291)

Being afflicted with sadness and grief is indeed a means of expiating sins as explained in the following Hadith recorded by Imam Muslim (rahimahullah):

Sayyiduna Abu Sa’id and Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah (radiyallahu ‘anhuma) report that they heard Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) say:

“Whatever discomfort, tiredness, illness, grief or even worry that affects a Mu’min will be a means of expiating his sins”

(Sahih Muslim, Hadith: 2573)

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.

Answered by: Mawlana Suhail Motala

Approve by: Mawlana Muhammad Abasoomar

Checked by: Mawlana Haroon Abasoomar