Question

What is the reference of this narration?
Khabbab (radiyallahu ‘anhu) said: “Draw close to Allah as much as you can, and know that you cannot come closer to Him with anything more beloved to Him than His own words.”

 

Answer

This narration is recorded in Fadailul Quran of Imam Abu ‘Ubayd al Qasim ibn Sallam as the statement of Sayyiduna Khabbab ibnul Aratt (radiyallahu ‘anhu).

Farwah ibn Nawfal Al Ashja’i relates:

“Sayyiduna Khabbab ibnul Aratt (radiyallahu ‘anhu) was my neighbour. One day, he told me: “Draw close to Allah as much as you can, and know that there is nothing more beloved to Him by which you may draw closer to Him than His own words [i.e. The Quran].”

(Fadailul Quran of Abu ‘Ubayd Al Qasim ibn Sallam, pg. 77)

A similar narration has been recorded as a Hadith of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam). See it here

 

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.

Answered by: Mawlana Suhail Motala

Approved by: Mawlana Muhammad Abasoomar

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التخريج من المصادر العربية

فضائل القرآن للقاسم بن سلام: (ص: ٧٧)
قال أبو عبيد: حدثنا حجاج، عن جرير بن عبد الحميد، عن منصور، عن هلال بن يساف، عن فروة بن نوفل الأشجعي، قال: كان خباب بن الأرت لي جارا، فقال لي يوما: «يا هناه، تقرب إلى الله تعالى ما استطعت، واعلم أنك لست تتقرب إليه بشيء هو أحب إليه من كلامه».