Question

Kindly provide the authenticity of the following narration:

إن هذا الدين متين، فأوغل فيه برفق، ولا تبغّض إلي نفسك عبادة الله تعالى، فإن المُنبَتَّ لا أرضا قطع، ولا ظهرا أبقى

 

Answer

This Hadith has been recorded by various Aimmah via numerous chains on the authority of a few different Sahabah (radiyallahu ‘anhum), albeit with slight variations in the wording, among them are the following:

1. Sayyiduna Anas (radiyallahu ‘anhu)

(Musnad Ahmad, vol. 3 pg. 199; Also see: Al-Ahadithul Mukhtarah, Hadith: 2115, and Majma’uz Zawaid, vol. 1 pg. 62)

 

2. Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Amr ibnul ‘As (radiyallahu ‘anhu) [Mawqufan, as his statement, and Mawsulan as the statement of Rasulullah – sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam]

(Kitabuz Zuhd of ‘Abdullah ibnul Mubarak (rahimahullah), Hadith: 1334, Shu’abul Iman, Hadith: 3603, and As-Sunanul Kubra, vol. 3 pg. 19)

 

3. Sayyidah ‘Aaishah (radiyallahu ‘anha)

(Musnad Bazzar; Kashful Astar, Hadith: 74 and Shu’abul Iman, Hadith: 3602; Also see: As-Sunanul Kubra, vol. 3 pg. 18-19)

 

4. Sayyiduna Jabir (radiyallahu ‘anhu)

(Musnad Bazzar; Kashful Astar, Hadith: 74, Musnad Shihab, Hadith: 726, and Shu’abul Iman, Hadith: 3602; Also see: Tarikhul Kabir, vol. 1 pgs. 102-103, As-Sunanul Kubra, vol. 3 pg. 18-19, Al-Mughni ‘An Hamlil Asfar, Hadith: 1232 and 3705, Majma’uz Zawaid, vol. 1 pg. 62, Kanzul ‘Ummal, Hadith: 5377, Faydul Qadir, Hadith: 2509, At-Taysir, vol. 1 pg. 352, As-Sirajul Munir, vol. 2 pg. 30, and Ithafus Sadatil Muttaqin, vol. 5 pg. 161, and vol. 9 pg. 41)

 

Despite the fact many Muhaddithun have criticized the authenticity of this Hadith when examining its respective chains, more particularly the chain via Sayyiduna Jabir (radiyallahu ‘anhu), the Hadith will still, overall, gain strength through corroboration and is suitable to quote. In fact, ‘Allamah Diyaud Din Al-Maqdisi (rahimahullah) has recorded the version reported via Sayyiduna Anas (radiyallahu ‘anhu) in his collection of reliable Hadiths., without objection

(See: At-Tamhid, vol. 1 pg. 191 onwards, Al-Ahadithul Mukhtarah, Hadith: 2115, as well as Fathul Bari, Hadith: 6463, and Al-Mudawi, Hadith: 2509)

 

Translation

Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam) has said: ‘Verily this Din [religion] is solid, so tread through it with ease. And do not make the worship of Allah Ta’ala detested to yourself, for indeed the one who is unable to proceed on his journey, due to his conveyance having perished from fatigue, neither traverses any land nor retains any conveyance.’

(Refer: An-Nihayah, Letters: ب ت,  Fathul Bari, Hadith: 6463, Faydul Qadir, Hadith: 2508-2509, Ithafus Sadatil Muttaqin, vol. 9 pg. 41, and Sharhu Kitabish Shihab, Hadith: 730)

 

And Allah Ta’ala knows best.

 

Answered by: Moulana Farhan Shariff

 

Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar,

This Hadith exhorts moderation in optional ‘ibadah. One should not over exhort oneself to the extent that it leads to complete burn out.