Question

Kindly provide the reference for the following narration and please confirm if the translation is correct.

Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar (radiyallahu ‘anhuma) related that Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) was asked,

“O Messenger of Allah, which of the people are most beloved to Allah, and which deeds are most beloved to Allah?”

Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “The people most beloved to Allah are those who are most beneficial to the people; and the most beloved deed to Allah is to make a Muslim happy, or remove one of his troubles, or to fulfill his debt, or to satiate his hunger.

Walking to fulfill a need of my Muslim brother is more beloved to me than sitting in i’tikaf in a Masjid for two months. Whomsoever averts his anger, Allah will conceal his faults and whomsoever suppresses his anger while he is able to vent it, Allah will fill his heart with happiness. Whoever walks with his brother to fulfill his need and fulfills it for him, then Allah Ta’ala will make his footing firm [on the bridge] on the day when the footings are shaken. Evil character spoils one’s deeds just as vinegar spoils honey”

Answer

Imam Abu Bakr Ibn Abid Dunya (rahimahullah) has recorded this narration.

(Qada-ul Hawaij, Hadith: 36)

This Hadith is suitable to quote and the translation as appears in the question is correct.

(Also see: Al Mu’jamul Kabir, Hadith: 13646, Al Mu’jamul Awsat, Hadith: 6023, Al Mu’jamus Saghir, Hadith: 861, Targhib, vol. 2, pg. 67 and vol. 3, pg. 394/5, Majma’uz Zawaid, vol. 8, pg. 191)

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.

Answered by: Mawlana Suhail Motala

Approved by: Mawlana Muhammad Abasoomar

Checked by: Mawlana Haroon Abasoomar