Question

I am looking for a reference for the following Hadith:

الخير كثير وقليل فاعله

 

Answer

Imams Ibn ‘Adiy and Khatib Al Baghdadi (rahimahumallah) have recorded these words on the authority of Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Amr (radiyallahu ‘anhuma).

(Al Kamil, vol. 5 pg. 268, Tarikh Baghdad, vol. 9 pg. 50)

 

Imams Bazzar, Tabarani and Bayhaqi (rahimahumallah) have recorded the Hadith, with slight variation in the wording.

(Musnad Bazzar; Al Bahruz Zakkhar, Hadith: 2405, Al Mu’jamul Awsat, Hadith: 5604, Shu’abul Iman, Hadith: 7301 and 10752. Also see: Majma’uz Zawaid, vol. 1 pg. 125, Faydul Qadir, Hadith: 4153-4154 and Al Mudawi, Hadith: 1743)

 

Translation

There are many [avenues of] good, but very few people carry it out.

 

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.

 

Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala

 

Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar

 

Checked by: Moulana Haroon Abasoomar