Question

In your answer here, you attributed this statement to Malik ibn Dinar (rahimahullah). Is this correct? I have seen it as the statement of Imam ‘Abdullah ibnul Mubarak (rahimahullah).

Answer

The references we have provided have recorded this as the statement of the reliable Tabi’i, Malik ibn Dinar (rahimahullah).

However, Imam Abu Nu’aym (rahimahullah) has recorded a similar version of this statement, attributing it to Imam ‘Abdullah ibnul Mubarak (rahimahullah) with slight variation in wording. You may quote either one of the two versions.

‘Abdullah ibnul Mubarak (rahimahullah) said: “The people of the world [i.e. Those engrossed in the worldly life] have left without tasting the most delicious thing.” When asked what was the most delicious thing, he replied, “The recognition of Allah.”

(Hilyatul Awliya, vol. 8, pg. 167)

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.

Answered by: Mawlana Suhail Motala

Approved by: Mawlana Muhammad Abasoomar

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التخريج من المصادر العربية:

حلية الأولياء وطبقات الأصفياء: (٨/ ١٦٧)
حدثنا عمر بن أحمد بن شاهين , ثنا محمد بن سليمان الحراني، ثنا حسين بن محمد الضحاك , ثنا الحسين بن الحسن المروزي، قال: سمعت ابن المبارك، يقول: أهل الدنيا خرجوا من الدنيا قبل أن يتطعموا أطيب ما فيها قيل له: وما أطيب ما فيها؟ قال: المعرفة بالله عز وجل.