Question

Is this a Hadith?

“People are like camels. Out of a hundred you can scarcely find one mount”

Answer

Yes, this is a Hadith recorded by Imam Bukhari and Imam Muslim (rahimahumallah) on the authority of Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar (radiyallahu ‘anhuma)

(Sahih Bukhari, Hadith: 6498 and Sahih Muslim, Hadith: 2547)

This Hadith explains that the people of true virtue will be scarce. As time progresses after the Sahabah, Tabi’un and Tab’ut Tabi’un, there will be many people but there will be very few noble trustworthy people. Just as there may be an abundance of camels, but camels of a high breed are scarce and few.

It seems as Imam Bukhari (rahimahullah) also preferred this explanation as he has recorded this Hadith under the chapter, “Trustworthiness will be removed/eliminated”.

The commentators of Hadith have also offered various other explanations.

(Refer: Fathul Bari, Hadith: 6498, Al Minhaj of ‘Allamah Nawawi, Hadith: 317 and Takmilah Fathul Mulhim, Hadith: 6459)

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.

Answered by: Mawlana Suhail Motala

Approved by: Mawlana Muhammad Abasoomar

Checked by: Mawlana Haroon Abasoomar