What lesson do we learn from this hadith Qudsi?[1:1] In the name of GOD, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
[31:6] Among the people, there are those who uphold baseless Hadith, and thus divert others from the path of GOD without knowledge, and take it in vain. These have incurred shameful retribution.

According to our scholars (ulama), “Hadith Qudsi” are the sayings of the Prophet Muhammad as revealed to him by God Almighty. Hadith Qudsi (or Sacred Hadith) are so named by them because, unlike the majority of Hadith which are “Prophetic” Hadith, their authority (Sanad) is traced back not to the Prophet but to God. In other words, like the Quran, Hadith Qudsi is the revelation from God but not included in the Quran!

The following is one such ” sacred” hadith posted by the attached article:
Narrated Abu Said Al-Khudri (r.a.). He quoted Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.s.) as saying to his Companions that: a man from among the early people or from those before you had said a word, i.e. Allah had blessed him with wealth and sons. When death approached him, he asked his sons: How was I being as a father? They replied: You were the best father. He said: I didn’t save or perform any good deeds for Allah. If Allah takes possession of me, He will punish me. So, look! When I am dead, burn me until I become coal then crush me well and scatter (my ashes in the air) on a stormy day. The Prophet (s.a.w.s.) said: He took a covenant from his sons (and died). They did according to his will and spread his ashes in the air on a stormy day. Allah asswajal said: Be and there he was embodied before Him. Allah, the Exalted, asked him: O my slave! What induced you to do what you did? He replied: It was Your fear (so that I may not appear before You). The Prophet (s.a.w.s.) added:
Allah, the Exalted rewarded him with His mercy; the Prophet (s.a.w.s.) said a second time: Allah did not punish him.

(This Hadith is sound and reported by Bukhari and Muslim).

This man was a believer in the Power of Allah assawajal to resurrect and punish. His belief and fear caused him to make that will which led him to Allah’s forgiveness.

So, according to the above Hadith Qudsi, we can understand the following:

  • Allah blessed a man with money and children
  • He was the best father to his children
  • He did not perform any good deeds for Allah
  • As death approached, he realized that he will be punished by Allah
  • He was scared and asked his sons to destroy his body after his death to avoid Allah’s punishment
  • Allah forgave him because he was afraid to face Allah.

According to the above understanding of the Hadith Qudsi, we can draw the following conclusions:

  • Money and children may not be a test
  • You may not have to do good deeds even you are capable of doing so
  • It is acceptable if you fear Allah at the approaching death
  • It is acceptable if you think Allah cannot resurrect you if your body is destroyed

Now, please read and reflect on the following verses of the Quran!

[64:15] Your money and children are a test, and GOD possesses a great recompense.

[63:10] You shall give from our provisions to you before death comes to you, then you say, “My Lord if only You could delay this for a short while! I would then be charitable and join the righteous!”

[2:254] O you who believe, you shall give to charity from the provisions we have given to you before a day comes where there is no trade, no nepotism, and no intercession. The disbelievers are unjust.

[4:18] Not acceptable is the repentance of those who commit sins until death comes to them, then say, “Now I repent.” Nor is it acceptable from those who die as disbelievers. For these, we have prepared a painful retribution.

[17:49] They said, “After we turn into bones and fragments, we get resurrected anew?!”
[17:50] Say, “Even if you turn into rocks or iron.
[17:51] “Even if you turn into any kind of creation that you deem impossible.” They will then say, “Who will bring us back?” Say, “The One who created you in the first place.” They will then shake their heads and say, “When will that be?” Say, “It may be closer than you think.”

So, what is the lesson we learn after reviewing a Qudsi Hadith in the light of the Quran?!

[31:6] Among the people, there are those who uphold baseless Hadith, and thus divert others from the path of GOD without knowledge, and take it in vain. These have incurred shameful retribution.

[45:6] These are God’s revelations that we recite to you truthfully. In which Hadith other than GOD and His revelations do they believe?

Thank you and may God guide us.