Question

Please provide the reference for the following narration:

Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) asked the Sahabah (radiyallahu ‘anhum): “What do you think of a companion who, if you treat him nicely, feed him, clothe him, still he would throw you in all sorts of trouble and if you insult him, and keep him hungry and naked he would do what is good for you?”

The Sahabah (radiyallahu ‘anhum) said: ‘O Rasulullah! There just cannot be a companion worse than him, in the whole world.’

He (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: ‘By Him in whose Hands rests my life, this companion I am referring to is your nafs [soul/ego/carnal desires]'”

Answer

Imam Qurtubi (rahimahullah) has cited this narration without a chain of narrators.

(Tafsir Qurtubi, Surah Yusuf, Verse: 53, vol. 11, pg. 377)

I have not come across a chain for this Hadith.

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.

Answered by: Mawlana Suhail Motala

Approved by: Mawlana Muhammad Abasoomar

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التخريج من المصادر العربية

تفسير القرطبي: (١١/ ٣٧٧) (سورة يوسف، الآية: ٥٣)
وفي الخبر عن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم أنه قال:«ما تقولون في صاحب لكم إن أنتم أكرمتموه وأطعمتموه وكسوتموه أفضى بكم إلى شر غاية وإن أهنتموه وأعريتموه وأجعتموه أفضى بكم إلى خير غاية» قالوا: يا رسول الله! هذا شر صاحب في الأرض. قال:«فوالذي نفسي بيده إنها لنفوسكم التي بين جنوبكم».