Is this hadith authentic?

This hadith is graded Sahih. Sahih hadiths are considered the most authentic grade in hadith classification.

Which collection is this hadith from?

This hadith is from Jami` at-Tirmidhi, which contains 4,053 hadiths across 49 books. It is hadith number 3157 in the Book of Chapters on Tafsir.

I searched for a different number — is this the right hadith?

Hadith numbering varies across editions and translations (USC-MSA, Dar as-Salam, Fath al-Bari, and others). If you followed a link citing a different number but landed here, you may have been redirected to the canonical version in our library. If you were looking for a different hadith entirely, use the search bar to find it by text.

‹

#3156

#3157

Jami` at-Tirmidhi

#3158

›

Jami` at-Tirmidhi #3157

Q: What is Jami` at-Tirmidhi 3157 about?

This hadith from Jami` at-Tirmidhi (Book of Chapters on Tafsir), narrated by Narrated Abu Hurairah:, states: "that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: "Allah, Blessed and Most High, has said - and His saying is the Truth: 'When My slave considers doing something good then write it as one good for him. If he acts…"

Chapters on Tafsir

Sahih

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

حَدَّثَنَا ابْنُ أَبِي عُمَرَ، حَدَّثَنَا سُفْيَانُ، عَنْ أَبِي الزِّنَادِ، عَنِ الأَعْرَجِ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏"‏ قَالَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ وَقَوْلُهُ الْحَقُّ إِذَا هَمَّ عَبْدِي بِحَسَنَةٍ فَاكْتُبُوهَا لَهُ حَسَنَةً فَإِنْ عَمِلَهَا فَاكْتُبُوهَا لَهُ بِعَشْرِ أَمْثَالِهَا وَإِذَا هَمَّ بِسَيِّئَةٍ فَلاَ تَكْتُبُوهَا فَإِنْ عَمِلَهَا فَاكْتُبُوهَا بِمِثْلِهَا فَإِنْ تَرَكَهَا وَرُبَّمَا قَالَ لَمْ يَعْمَلْ بِهَا فَاكْتُبُوهَا لَهُ حَسَنَةً ثُمَّ قَرَأَ ‏:‏ ‏(‏ مَنْ جَاءَ بِالْحَسَنَةِ فَلَهُ عَشْرُ أَمْثَالِهَا ‏)‏ ‏"‏ ‏.‏ قَالَ أَبُو عِيسَى هَذَا حَدِيثٌ حَسَنٌ صَحِيحٌ ‏.‏

that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: "Allah, Blessed and Most High, has said - and His saying is the Truth: 'When My slave considers doing something good then write it as one good for him. If he acts upon it then write ten of the same for him. And when he considers doing something evil, then do not write it. If he acts upon it, then write it. If he leaves it" - and perhaps he said: "if he does not act upon it, then write a good reward for him.'" Then he recited: Whoever comes with a good, then he shall have ten the like thereof (6:160).

Narrated by Narrated Abu Hurairah:

Context

This hadith reveals a profound understanding of Allah's mercy and justice regarding human intentions and actions. The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) relays that when a person intends to do good, it is recorded as a good deed, and if they act upon it, they receive even greater rewards. Conversely, if they intend to do evil but refrain from acting, they are rewarded for their restraint, showcasing Allah's compassion.

Modern Application

In everyday life, this principle encourages individuals to focus on positive intentions and actions. It serves as a reminder that even the smallest good intentions can lead to significant rewards, motivating people to strive for goodness in their daily interactions.

Topics

This hadith is tagged with Reward of Deeds and Divine Revelation because it discusses the rewards associated with intentions and actions, reflecting Allah's mercy as revealed through the Prophet's teachings.

Reward of Deeds Divine Revelation