Question

I would appreciate the correct translation of the following Hadith and the reference.

On one occasion, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “O Abu Bakr! Shirk [Pride/Arrogance] is more hidden than the crawling of an ant.’ Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (radiyallahu ‘anhu) asked: ‘Is not Shirk restricted to ascribing partners to Allah Ta’ala?’ Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: ‘I take an oath in that Being in whose control lies my soul, Shirk is more hidden than the crawling of an ant, should I not show you such a supplication that if you recite it, you will be free from minor and major shirk.’ Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) instructed him to say: ‘O Allah! I seek refuge in You from ascribing any partners to You knowingly, and I seek Your forgiveness from that which I am unaware of.'”

 

Answer

Imam Bukhari (rahimahullah) has recorded this Hadith in Al Adabul Mufrad. The translation as appears above is correct.

(Al Adabul Mufrad, Hadith: 716. Also see Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah with footnotes of Shaykh Muhammad ‘Awwamah, Hadith: 30163)

 

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.

Answered by: Mawlana Suhail Motala

Approved by: Mawlana Muhammad Abasoomar

Checked by: Mawlana Haroon Abasoomar