Jami` at-Tirmidhi #2944

Chapters on Parables
Sahih

The Arabic includes the chain of narration (sanad) and the collector's commentary; the English translation shows the Prophet's words only.

حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ إِسْمَاعِيلَ، قَالَ‏ حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ سِنَانٍ، قَالَ‏ حَدَّثَنَا سَلِيمُ بْنُ حَيَّانَ بَصْرِيٌّ، قَالَ‏ حَدَّثَنَا سَعِيدُ بْنُ مِينَاءَ، عَنْ جَابِرِ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ، قَالَ قَالَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ "‏ إِنَّمَا مَثَلِي وَمَثَلُ الأَنْبِيَاءِ قَبْلِي كَرَجُلٍ بَنَى دَارًا فَأَكْمَلَهَا وَأَحْسَنَهَا إِلاَّ مَوْضِعَ لَبِنَةٍ فَجَعَلَ النَّاسُ يَدْخُلُونَهَا وَيَتَعَجَّبُونَ مِنْهَا وَيَقُولُونَ لَوْلاَ مَوْضِعُ اللَّبِنَةِ ‏"‏ ‏.‏ وَفِي الْبَابِ عَنْ أُبَىِّ بْنِ كَعْبٍ وَأَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ ‏.‏ قَالَ أَبُو عِيسَى هَذَا حَدِيثٌ حَسَنٌ صَحِيحٌ غَرِيبٌ مِنْ هَذَا الْوَجْهِ ‏.‏
that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: "The parable of myself and the Prophets is that of a man who constructed a house. He completed it and made it well, except for the space of one brick. So the people enter it and marvel at it saying: 'If not for the space of this brick.'"
Narrated by Narrated Jabir bin 'Abdullah:

Context

In this hadith, the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) compares his role to that of previous prophets, illustrating that while he completes the message of Islam, there remains an element of incompleteness in the perception of his mission. This metaphor emphasizes the significance of his teachings and the continuity of prophetic guidance.

Modern Application

This hadith encourages believers to appreciate the completeness of the Islamic message while recognizing the ongoing journey of understanding and practicing faith. It inspires individuals to engage with the teachings of the Prophet (ﷺ) and apply them in their lives.

Topics

This hadith is tagged with Prophetic Authority and Prophetic Teachings because it highlights the Prophet's (ﷺ) pivotal role in the continuation of divine guidance.

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There has certainly been for you in the Messenger of Allah an excellent pattern for anyone whose hope is in Allah and the Last Day and [who] remembers Allah often.
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Rather, the Prophet has come with the truth and confirmed the [previous] messengers.
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And We did not send any messenger except to be obeyed by permission of Allah. And if, when they wronged themselves, they had come to you, [O Muhammad], and asked forgiveness of Allah and the Messenger had asked forgiveness for them, they would have found Allah Accepting of repentance and Merciful.

Common Words

77 total62 unique5 repeated
ٱلله9x
كان3x
من3x
فى3x
رسول2x
ما1x
على1x
ٱلنبى1x
حرج1x
فيما1x
فرض1x
له1x
سنة1x
ٱلذين1x
خلوا1x
قبل1x
وكان1x
أمر1x
قدرا1x
مقدورا1x
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About Jami` at-Tirmidhi

This hadith is #2944 from Jami` at-Tirmidhi, in the Book of Chapters on Parables. It is graded Sahih and narrated by Narrated Jabir bin 'Abdullah:.

About This Hadith