Question

What is the authenticity of the following Hadith and what is the meaning of ‘الاحتساب‘?

Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said:

“There is no reward for the one who does not anticipate reward”

 

Answer

This Hadith is suitable to quote and is recorded in the following Hadith collections:

1) Kitabuz Zuhd War Raqaiq of Imam ‘Abdullah ibn Al Mubarak, through a sound chain, mursalan. (Hadith: 152)

2) As Sunanul Kubra of Imam Bayhaqi, with a weak chain. (vol. 1 pg. 41. Refer: Talkhisul Habir, vol. 1 pg. 405)

 

The Hadith in question is further corroborated by the famous Hadith in Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim, wherein Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said, “Certainly actions are based/rewarded according to their intention.” (Sahih Bukhari, Hadith: 1, Sahih Muslim, Hadith: 1907)

 

Meaning

Hafiz Ibn Rajab (rahimahullah) says, the word ‘ihtisab‘ used in the Hadith means, ‘anticipating and seeking reward’. i.e. The person who does not anticipate and seek reward, will not be rewarded.

(Jami’ul Ulumi Wal Hikam, vol. 1 pg. 31)

‘Allamah Munawi (rahimahullah) explains, ‘There will be no reward for that person who does not make the intention that he is carrying out the order of Allah Ta’ala, and he is seeking the closeness of Allah Ta’ala.

(Faydul Qadir, Hadith: 9695. Also see: An Nihayah of ‘Allamah Ibnul Athir, vol. 1 pg. 373/374)

 

 

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.

 

Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala

 

Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar

 

Checked by: Moulana Haroon Abasoomar