Question

What is the status of the following Hadith which appears in Al Mu’jamul Awsat:

القناعة مال لا ينفد

 

Answer

‘Allamah Dhahabi (rahimahullah) has declared the chain of Tabarani as very weak (wahin).

(Faydul Qadir, Hadith: 6193. Also see Majma’uz Zawaid, vol. 10, pg. 256)

Imam Bayhaqi (rahimahullah) has recorded a slightly different chain for this very Hadith which is also very weak.

(Az-Zuhdul Kabir, Hadith: 107)

The above chains are via Sayyiduna Jabir (radiyallahu ‘anhu).

However, Sayyiduna Anas (radiyallahu ‘anhu) is also reported to have narrated this Hadith, as recorded in As-Shihab of Imam Quda’i (rahimahullah) with a slightly weak chain. These chains support each other and make the narration suitable for quoting as an inspiration to adopt this deed.

(Al-Mudawi, Hadith: 2483 and Fathul Wahhab, Hadith: 43)

The broader meaning of this narration is definitely supported by other texts, as pointed out by ‘Allamah Sakhawi (rahimahullah).

(Al-Maqasidul Hasanah, Hadith: 779)

The complete narration of Tabarani is as follows:

 عليكم بالقناعة فإن القناعة مال لا ينفد

Translation

Adopt contentment, for contentment is such a wealth that does not deplete.

(Al-Mu’jamul Awsat, Hadith: 6918)

 

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best,

Answered by: Mawlana Muhammad Abasoomar

Checked by: Mawlana Haroon Abasoomar