Jami` at-Tirmidhi #2953

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 خَلاَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى، قَالَ‏ حَدَّثَنَا بَشِيرُ بْنُ الْمُهَاجِرِ، قَالَ‏ أَخْبَرَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ بُرَيْدَةَ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، قَالَ قَالَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏"‏ هَلْ تَدْرُونَ مَا هَذِهِ وَمَا هَذِهِ ‏"‏ ‏.‏ وَرَمَى بِحَصَاتَيْنِ ‏.‏ قَالُوا اللَّهُ وَرَسُولُهُ أَعْلَمُ ‏.‏ قَالَ ‏"‏ هَذَاكَ الأَمَلُ وَهَذَاكَ الأَجَلُ ‏"‏ ‏.‏ قَالَ أَبُو عِيسَى هَذَا حَدِيثٌ حَسَنٌ غَرِيبٌ مِنْ هَذَا الْوَجْهِ ‏.‏
from his father that the Prophet (ﷺ) said: "Do you know what the parable of this and this is?" - and he tossed two pebbles. They said: "Allah and His Messenger (ﷺ) know better." He said: "This (the farther) one is hope, and this (closer) one is death."
Narrated by Narrated 'Abdullah bin Buraidah:

Context

In this hadith, the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) uses a parable involving two pebbles to illustrate the concepts of hope and death. By tossing the pebbles, he symbolizes the distance of hope and the proximity of death, prompting reflection among his companions. This teaching serves as a reminder of the transient nature of life and the importance of maintaining hope.

Modern Application

This teaching can inspire individuals to cultivate hope in their lives, even in challenging times. By recognizing the inevitability of death, people can prioritize meaningful actions and relationships, fostering a sense of purpose and urgency in their daily lives.

Topics

This hadith is tagged with Prophetic Teachings because it conveys a significant lesson from the Prophet (ﷺ) about the relationship between hope and the reality of death.

Related Ayahs

سُورَةُ الأَحۡقَافِ
Al-Ahqaf (The Dunes)
بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
1 ayah
وَٱلَّذِى قَالَ لِوَٰلِدَيْهِ أُفٍّۢ لَّكُمَآ أَتَعِدَانِنِىٓ أَنْ أُخْرَجَ وَقَدْ خَلَتِ ٱلْقُرُونُ مِن قَبْلِى وَهُمَا يَسْتَغِيثَانِ ٱللَّهَ وَيْلَكَ ءَامِنْ إِنَّ وَعْدَ ٱللَّهِ حَقٌّۭ فَيَقُولُ مَا هَٰذَآ إِلَّآ أَسَٰطِيرُ ٱلْأَوَّلِينَ
But one who says to his parents, "Uff to you; do you promise me that I will be brought forth [from the earth] when generations before me have already passed on [into oblivion]?" while they call to Allah for help [and to their son], "Woe to you! Believe! Indeed, the promise of Allah is truth." But he says, "This is not but legends of the former people" -
سُورَةُ الأَنبِيَاءِ
Al-Anbiyaa (The Prophets)
بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
1 ayah
قَالَ رَبِّى يَعْلَمُ ٱلْقَوْلَ فِى ٱلسَّمَآءِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ ۖ وَهُوَ ٱلسَّمِيعُ ٱلْعَلِيمُ
The Prophet said, "My Lord knows whatever is said throughout the heaven and earth, and He is the Hearing, the Knowing."
سُورَةُ يسٓ
Yaseen (Yaseen)
بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
1 ayah
قِيلَ ٱدْخُلِ ٱلْجَنَّةَ ۖ قَالَ يَٰلَيْتَ قَوْمِى يَعْلَمُونَ
It was said, "Enter Paradise." He said, "I wish my people could know
سُورَةُ لُقۡمَانَ
Luqman (Luqman)
بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
1 ayah
يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّاسُ ٱتَّقُوا۟ رَبَّكُمْ وَٱخْشَوْا۟ يَوْمًۭا لَّا يَجْزِى وَالِدٌ عَن وَلَدِهِۦ وَلَا مَوْلُودٌ هُوَ جَازٍ عَن وَالِدِهِۦ شَيْـًٔا ۚ إِنَّ وَعْدَ ٱللَّهِ حَقٌّۭ ۖ فَلَا تَغُرَّنَّكُمُ ٱلْحَيَوٰةُ ٱلدُّنْيَا وَلَا يَغُرَّنَّكُم بِٱللَّهِ ٱلْغَرُورُ
O mankind, fear your Lord and fear a Day when no father will avail his son, nor will a son avail his father at all. Indeed, the promise of Allah is truth, so let not the worldly life delude you and be not deceived about Allah by the Deceiver.
سُورَةُ الشُّعَرَاءِ
Ash-Shu'araa (The Poets)
بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
1 ayah
إِذْ قَالَ لِأَبِيهِ وَقَوْمِهِۦ مَا تَعْبُدُونَ
When he said to his father and his people, "What do you worship?"

Common Words

81 total70 unique8 repeated
قال4x
ٱلله3x
إن2x
وعد2x
حق2x
ما2x
عن2x
ولا2x
وٱلذى1x
لولديه1x
أف1x
لكما1x
أتعداننى1x
أن1x
أخرج1x
وقد1x
خلت1x
ٱلقرون1x
من1x
قبلى1x
Scroll to explore ayah details

Related Hadiths

About Jami` at-Tirmidhi

This hadith is #2953 from Jami` at-Tirmidhi, in the Book of Chapters on Parables. It is graded Sahih and narrated by Narrated 'Abdullah bin Buraidah:.

About This Hadith