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 3909 in the Book of Chapters on Virtues.

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#3909

Jami` at-Tirmidhi

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Jami` at-Tirmidhi #3909

Q: What is Jami` at-Tirmidhi 3909 about?

This hadith from Jami` at-Tirmidhi (Book of Chapters on Virtues), narrated by Narrated Hudhaifah:, states: "that they said: "O Messenger of Allah, if you were to appoint someone as a successor." He said: "If I were to appoint a successor over you, and you were to disobey him, you would be punished. But what…"

Chapters on Virtues

Sahih

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

حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ، قَالَ أَخْبَرَنَا إِسْحَاقُ بْنُ عِيسَى، عَنْ شَرِيكٍ، عَنْ أَبِي الْيَقْظَانِ، عَنْ زَاذَانَ، عَنْ حُذَيْفَةَ، قَالَ قَالُوا يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ لَوِ اسْتَخْلَفْتَ ‏.‏ قَالَ ‏ "‏ إِنِ اسْتَخْلَفْتُ عَلَيْكُمْ فَعَصَيْتُمُوهُ عُذِّبْتُمْ وَلَكِنْ مَا حَدَّثَكُمْ حُذَيْفَةُ فَصَدِّقُوهُ وَمَا أَقْرَأَكُمْ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ فَاقْرَءُوهُ ‏"‏ ‏.‏ قَالَ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ فَقُلْتُ لإِسْحَاقَ بْنِ عِيسَى يَقُولُونَ هَذَا عَنْ أَبِي وَائِلٍ ‏.‏ قَالَ لاَ عَنْ زَاذَانَ إِنْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ ‏. هَذَا حَدِيثٌ حَسَنٌ وَهُوَ حَدِيثُ شَرِيكٍ ‏.‏

that they said: "O Messenger of Allah, if you were to appoint someone as a successor." He said: "If I were to appoint a successor over you, and you were to disobey him, you would be punished. But whatever Hudhaifah narrates to you, then believe him, and whatever 'Abdullah teaches you to recite, then recite it."

Narrated by Narrated Hudhaifah:

Context

In this hadith, the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) addresses the concerns of his companions regarding leadership and obedience. He warns that if he were to appoint a successor and they disobeyed him, they would face punishment. Instead, he advises them to trust the teachings of Hudhaifah and Abdullah, emphasizing the importance of following righteous guidance.

Modern Application

This principle applies today in various contexts, such as workplaces and community organizations, where leadership and accountability are crucial. It encourages individuals to respect and adhere to the guidance of those in positions of authority who act in the best interest of the group.

Topics

This hadith is tagged with Prophetic Authority and Prophetic Conduct because it underscores the significance of leadership and the responsibility of followers to obey righteous guidance.

Prophetic Authority Prophetic Conduct

Related Ayahs

سُورَةُ النُّورِ

An-Noor (The Light)

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

1 ayah

قُلْ أَطِيعُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَأَطِيعُوا۟ ٱلرَّسُولَ ۖ فَإِن تَوَلَّوْا۟ فَإِنَّمَا عَلَيْهِ مَا حُمِّلَ وَعَلَيْكُم مَّا حُمِّلْتُمْ ۖ وَإِن تُطِيعُوهُ تَهْتَدُوا۟ ۚ وَمَا عَلَى ٱلرَّسُولِ إِلَّا ٱلْبَلَٰغُ ٱلْمُبِينُ

Say, "Obey Allah and obey the Messenger; but if you turn away - then upon him is only that [duty] with which he has been charged, and upon you is that with which you have been charged. And if you obey him, you will be [rightly] guided. And there is not upon the Messenger except the [responsibility for] clear notification."

سُورَةُ النِّسَاءِ

An-Nisaa (The Women)

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

2 ayahs

مَّن يُطِعِ ٱلرَّسُولَ فَقَدْ أَطَاعَ ٱللَّهَ ۖ وَمَن تَوَلَّىٰ فَمَآ أَرْسَلْنَٰكَ عَلَيْهِمْ حَفِيظًۭا

He who obeys the Messenger has obeyed Allah; but those who turn away - We have not sent you over them as a guardian.

يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ أَطِيعُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَأَطِيعُوا۟ ٱلرَّسُولَ وَأُو۟لِى ٱلْأَمْرِ مِنكُمْ ۖ فَإِن تَنَٰزَعْتُمْ فِى شَىْءٍۢ فَرُدُّوهُ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ وَٱلرَّسُولِ إِن كُنتُمْ تُؤْمِنُونَ بِٱللَّهِ وَٱلْيَوْمِ ٱلْءَاخِرِ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ خَيْرٌۭ وَأَحْسَنُ تَأْوِيلًا

O you who have believed, obey Allah and obey the Messenger and those in authority among you. And if you disagree over anything, refer it to Allah and the Messenger, if you should believe in Allah and the Last Day. That is the best [way] and best in result.

سُورَةُ هُودٍ

Hud (Hud)

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

1 ayah

فَإِن تَوَلَّوْا۟ فَقَدْ أَبْلَغْتُكُم مَّآ أُرْسِلْتُ بِهِۦٓ إِلَيْكُمْ ۚ وَيَسْتَخْلِفُ رَبِّى قَوْمًا غَيْرَكُمْ وَلَا تَضُرُّونَهُۥ شَيْـًٔا ۚ إِنَّ رَبِّى عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ حَفِيظٌۭ

But if they turn away, [say], "I have already conveyed that with which I was sent to you. My Lord will give succession to a people other than you, and you will not harm Him at all. Indeed my Lord is, over all things, Guardian."

سُورَةُ التَّغَابُنِ

At-Taghaabun (Mutual Disillusion)

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

1 ayah

وَأَطِيعُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَأَطِيعُوا۟ ٱلرَّسُولَ ۚ فَإِن تَوَلَّيْتُمْ فَإِنَّمَا عَلَىٰ رَسُولِنَا ٱلْبَلَٰغُ ٱلْمُبِينُ

And obey Allah and obey the Messenger; but if you turn away - then upon Our Messenger is only [the duty of] clear notification.

Common Words

95 total68 unique15 repeated

ٱلله5x

ٱلرسول5x

وأطيعوا4x

فإن4x

ما3x

على3x

أطيعوا2x

تولوا2x

فإنما2x

ٱلبلغ2x

ٱلمبين2x

فقد2x

شىء2x

إن2x

ربى2x

قل1x

عليه1x

حمل1x

وعليكم1x

حملتم1x

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About Jami` at-Tirmidhi

This hadith is #3909 from Jami` at-Tirmidhi, in the Book of Chapters on Virtues. It is graded Sahih and narrated by Narrated Hudhaifah:.

Browse all Jami` at-Tirmidhi All Hadith Collections

Jami` at-Tirmidhi #3909

Context

Modern Application

Topics

Related Ayahs

Common Words

Related Hadiths

About Jami` at-Tirmidhi

About This Hadith