Question

What is the status of this narration?

عن عبد الله بن سلام قال: خرج رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم على ناس من أصحابه وهم يتفكرون في خلق الله فقال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: فيم تتفكرون قالوا: نتفكر في الله قال: لا تفكروا في الله وتفكروا في خلق الله فإن ربنا خلق ملكا قدماه في الأرض السابعة السفلى ورأسه قد جاوز السماء العليا ما بين قدميه إلى ركبتيه مسيرة ستمائة عام وما بين كعبيه إلى أخمص قدميه مسيرة ستمائة عام والخالق أعظم من المخلوق

 

Answer

Imam Abu Nu’aym (rahimahullah) has recorded this narration in Hilyatul Awliya.

Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah ibn Salam (radiyallahu ‘anhu) reported that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) once came out and the Sahabah (radiyallahu ‘anhum) were discussing the [Being] of Allah. Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) asked them, “What are you discussing?” They replied, “We are discussing the [Being] of Allah.” Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Do not ponder over the [Being] of Allah but ponder over the creation of Allah. Our Rabb has created an angel whose feet are on the seventh lowest earth and his head is above the highest sky. The distance between his feet and knees is the distance of a six hundred year journey. The distance between his ankle and the soles of his feet is the distance of a six hundred year journey and the creator is greater than the creation.”

(Hilyatul Awliya, vol. 6 pg. 66-67)

 

The narration is suitable to quote.

‘Allamah Sakhawi (rahimahullah) has cited several other narrations of a similar subject matter and states that they gain collective strength.

(Al Maqasidul Hasanah, Hadith: 342)

 

Also see here

 

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.

 

Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala

 

Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar