Question
Please source and mention the authenticity of this Hadith. Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said, “If only you knew what I know [of death, the Hereafter, Qiyamah, Jahannam and the like], then you will laugh little, cry much, not derive any pleasure from your wives in your beds, and you would go to a highland/wilderness supplicating fervently to Allah.
Sayyiduna Abu Dharr (radiyallahu ‘anhu) would say, ‘I wish I were a tree which was then uprooted’
Answer
Imam Tirmidhi, Imam Ibn Majah and Imam Ahmad (rahimahumullah) have recorded this Hadith on the authority of Sayyiduna Abu Dharr (radiyallahu ‘anhu).
Imam Tirmidhi has declared the Hadith sound (hasan). Imam Hakim has declared the Hadith authentic and Hafiz Dhahabi concurs.
(Sunan Tirmidhi, Hadith: 2312, Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadith: 4190, Musnad Ahmad, vol. 5 pg. 173 and Mustadrak Hakim, vol. 2 pg. 510)
The words ‘If you knew what I know, you would laugh little and weep much’ are recorded in Sahih Bukhari (6485) as well.
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.
Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala
Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar
Checked by: Moulana Haroon Abasoomar