Question

Is the following Hadith authentic?

إِنَّ الله يُعْطِي الدُّنْيَا مَنْ يُحِبُّ وَمَنْ لاَ يُحِبُّ وَلاَ يُعْطِي الدِّينَ إِلاَّ لِمَنْ أَحَبَّ

Translation

Allah bestows the worldly possessions of this Dunya to those whom He loves as well as those whom He does not love, but He only bestows Din/Iman to whom He loves.

Answer

Imam Ahmad, Imam Hakim (rahimahumallah) and others have recorded this Hadith of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) on the authority of Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah ibn Mas’ud (radiyallahu ‘anhu)

(Musnad Ahmad, vol. 1, pg. 387 and Mustadrak Hakim, vol. 1, pg. 33)

Imam Hakim (rahimahullah) has declared the Hadith as authentic and Hafiz Dhahabi (rahimahullah) concurs.

Imam Bukhari (rahimahullah) has also recorded this narration in Al Adabul Mufrad, but as the statement of Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah ibn Mas’ud (radiyallahu ‘anhu) –mawqufan– and not as a Hadith of Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam). Imam Daraqutni (rahimahullah) has preferred this version.

(Al Adabul Mufrad, Hadith: 275)

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.

Answered by: Mawlana Suhail Motala

Approved by: Mawlana Muhammad Abasoomar

Checked by: Mawlana Haroon Abasoomar