‘Isa (‘alayhis salam) congratulates those who recite the Divine Book and act upon its injunctions

Question

Kindly mention the reference for this narration as well as the Arabic text:

“A woman passed by Jesus, and she said: Blessed is the womb of your pregnancy and the breast of your suckling. He said: Blessed is the one who reads the Qur’an and follows what is in it.”

Answer

Imam Abu Bakr Ibn Abi Shaybah (rahimahullah) has recorded this narration.

عن خيثمة قال : مرت بعيسى امرأة ، فقالت: طوبى لبطن حملك ، ولثدي أرضعك ، قال : فقال : عيسى طوبى لمن قرأ القرآن واتبع ما فيه

A woman once passed ‘Isa (‘alayhis salam) and said: “Congratulations to the belly that carried you and to the chest that suckled you.” ‘Isa (‘alayhis salam) replied, “Congratulations to the one who recites [the Injil] and acts upon its injunctions.”

(Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah: 30638, 32539, 35372. Refer: Footnotes of Shaykh Muhammad ‘Awwamah on Musannaf: 32539)

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.

Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala

Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar