Question

Kindly provide me with the authenticity of the following:

إن المؤمن يمثل له عمله يوم القيامة في أحسن صورة وأحسن ما خلق الله وجها وثيابا وأطيبه ريحا…اخ

Answer

This narration has been recorded by Imams Ibn Abid Dunya, Ibn Jarir At-Tabari and others (rahimahumullah) from Zayd ibn Aslam (rahimahullah), a Tabi’i, with the words: “It has reached me” [بلغه/بلغني] i.e., without attributing it to its source.

(Kitabul Ahwal, Hadith: 213, and Tafsir Tabari, Surah Nahl, Verse: 25; Also see At-Tadhkirah, pg. 183 Darus Salam edition, and Al-Budurus Safirah, Hadith: 241)

The chain of this narration consists of an unnamed narrator and will therefore be rendered weak.

However, it may be quoted as sourced above.

Gist of the Narration

This narration discusses how one’s deeds will take a form after resurrection. The form taken will be based upon the manner in which one lived his life and carried out his deeds; the result will either be an extremely pleasant, pleasing, and comforting form or a reeking, foul-smelling, retched and tormenting form. One will then either be encouraged to ride his deeds (as a conveyance), or he will be burdened to haul his deeds with him [i.e., his deeds will essentially ride him] to the Mahshar (gathering) before Allah Ta’ala.

Discussions of this nature do appear in other authentic sources as well.

And Allah Ta’ala knows best.

Answered by: Mawlana Farhan Shariff

Approved by: Mawlana Muhammad Abasoomar