The Arabic includes the chain of narration (sanad) and the collector's commentary; the English translation shows the Prophet's words only.
حَدَّثَنَا قُتَيْبَةُ، حَدَّثَنَا اللَّيْثُ، عَنْ سَعِيدِ بْنِ أَبِي سَعِيدٍ الْمَقْبُرِيِّ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ أَبِي قَتَادَةَ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، أَنَّهُ سَمِعَهُ يُحَدِّثُ، عَنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم أَنَّهُ قَامَ فِيهِمْ فَذَكَرَ لَهُمْ أَنَّ الْجِهَادَ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ وَالإِيمَانَ بِاللَّهِ أَفْضَلُ الأَعْمَالِ فَقَامَ رَجُلٌ فَقَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ أَرَأَيْتَ إِنْ قُتِلْتُ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ أَيُكَفِّرُ عَنِّي خَطَايَاىَ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " نَعَمْ إِنْ قُتِلْتَ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ وَأَنْتَ صَابِرٌ مُحْتَسِبٌ مُقْبِلٌ غَيْرُ مُدْبِرٍ " . ثُمَّ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " كَيْفَ قُلْتَ " . قُلْتُ أَرَأَيْتَ إِنْ قُتِلْتُ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ أَيُكَفِّرُ عَنِّي خَطَايَاىَ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " نَعَمْ وَأَنْتَ صَابِرٌ مُحْتَسِبٌ مُقْبِلٌ غَيْرُ مُدْبِرٍ إِلاَّ الدَّيْنَ فَإِنَّ جِبْرِيلَ قَالَ لِي ذَلِكَ " . قَالَ أَبُو عِيسَى وَفِي الْبَابِ عَنْ أَنَسٍ وَمُحَمَّدِ بْنِ جَحْشٍ وَأَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ . وَهَذَا حَدِيثٌ حَسَنٌ صَحِيحٌ . وَرَوَى بَعْضُهُمْ هَذَا الْحَدِيثَ عَنْ سَعِيدٍ الْمَقْبُرِيِّ عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم نَحْوَ هَذَا وَرَوَى يَحْيَى بْنُ سَعِيدٍ الأَنْصَارِيُّ وَغَيْرُ وَاحِدٍ نَحْوَ هَذَا عَنْ سَعِيدٍ الْمَقْبُرِيِّ عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ أَبِي قَتَادَةَ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم . وَهَذَا أَصَحُّ مِنْ حَدِيثِ سَعِيدٍ الْمَقْبُرِيِّ عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ .
That he heard is father, narating a Hadith, which he heard from the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) in which he stood among them, mentioning to them that Jihad in the cause of Allah and faith in Allah were the most virtuous of deeds. Then a man stood and said: "O Messenger of Allah! If I were killed in the cause of Allah, would my sins forgiven ?" So the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: "Yes, If you are killed in Allah's cause, and you are patient, seeking the reward, advancing, not fleeing." Then the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: "What was it that you said?" So he replied: "If I were killed in the cause of Allah, would my sins be removed (forgiven)?" So the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: "Yes, If you are patient, seeking the reward, advancing, not fleeing - except debt. For Jibril said that to me."
There are narrations on this topic from Anas, Muhammad bin Jahsh, And Abu Hurairah. This Hadith is Hasan Sahih.
Some of them reported this Hadith from Sa'eed Al-Maqburi, from Abu Hurairah, from the Prophet (ﷺ) similar to this. Yahya bin Sa'eed Al-Ansari and more than one narrator reported this from Sa'eed Al-Maqburi from 'Abdullah bin Abi Qatadah, from his fahter, from the Prophet (ﷺ). This is more correct than the narration of Sa'eed Al-Maqburi from Abu Hurairah.
Narrated by Narrated 'Abdullah bin Abi Qatadah:
Context
In this narration, the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) discusses the virtues of Jihad and faith, highlighting them as some of the most esteemed actions. A man inquires about the forgiveness of sins through martyrdom, and the Prophet confirms that it is indeed possible under specific conditions. This illustrates the significance of intention and perseverance in one's faith.
Modern Application
In contemporary terms, this principle can inspire individuals to engage in acts of service and sacrifice for the greater good. It encourages a mindset of dedication and commitment to one's beliefs and community.
Topics
This hadith is tagged with Jihad because it emphasizes the importance of striving in the cause of Allah and the spiritual rewards associated with it.
So let those fight in the cause of Allah who sell the life of this world for the Hereafter. And he who fights in the cause of Allah and is killed or achieves victory - We will bestow upon him a great reward.
And whoever emigrates for the cause of Allah will find on the earth many [alternative] locations and abundance. And whoever leaves his home as an emigrant to Allah and His Messenger and then death overtakes him - his reward has already become incumbent upon Allah. And Allah is ever Forgiving and Merciful.
Indeed, Allah has purchased from the believers their lives and their properties [in exchange] for that they will have Paradise. They fight in the cause of Allah, so they kill and are killed. [It is] a true promise [binding] upon Him in the Torah and the Gospel and the Qur'an. And who is truer to his covenant than Allah? So rejoice in your transaction which you have contracted. And it is that which is the great attainment.
And those who emigrated for the cause of Allah and then were killed or died - Allah will surely provide for them a good provision. And indeed, it is Allah who is the best of providers.