The Arabic includes the chain of narration (sanad) and the collector's commentary; the English translation shows the Prophet's words only.
حَدَّثَنَا مُوسَى بْنُ إِسْمَاعِيلَ، حَدَّثَنَا إِبْرَاهِيمُ بْنُ سَعْدٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ شِهَابٍ، عَنِ الأَعْرَجِ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ قَالَ يَقُولُونَ إِنَّ أَبَا هُرَيْرَةَ يُكْثِرُ الْحَدِيثَ. وَاللَّهُ الْمَوْعِدُ، وَيَقُولُونَ مَا لِلْمُهَاجِرِينَ وَالأَنْصَارِ لاَ يُحَدِّثُونَ مِثْلَ أَحَادِيثِهِ وَإِنَّ إِخْوَتِي مِنَ الْمُهَاجِرِينَ كَانَ يَشْغَلُهُمُ الصَّفْقُ بِالأَسْوَاقِ، وَإِنَّ إِخْوَتِي مِنَ الأَنْصَارِ كَانَ يَشْغَلُهُمْ عَمَلُ أَمْوَالِهِمْ، وَكُنْتُ امْرَأً مِسْكِينًا أَلْزَمُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم عَلَى مِلْءِ بَطْنِي، فَأَحْضُرُ حِينَ يَغِيبُونَ وَأَعِي حِينَ يَنْسَوْنَ، وَقَالَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَوْمًا " لَنْ يَبْسُطَ أَحَدٌ مِنْكُمْ ثَوْبَهُ حَتَّى أَقْضِيَ مَقَالَتِي هَذِهِ، ثُمَّ يَجْمَعَهُ إِلَى صَدْرِهِ، فَيَنْسَى مِنْ مَقَالَتِي شَيْئًا أَبَدًا ". فَبَسَطْتُ نَمِرَةً لَيْسَ عَلَىَّ ثَوْبٌ غَيْرَهَا، حَتَّى قَضَى النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم مَقَالَتَهُ، ثُمَّ جَمَعْتُهَا إِلَى صَدْرِي، فَوَالَّذِي بَعَثَهُ بِالْحَقِّ مَا نَسِيتُ مِنْ مَقَالَتِهِ تِلْكَ إِلَى يَوْمِي هَذَا، وَاللَّهِ لَوْلاَ آيَتَانِ فِي كِتَابِ اللَّهِ مَا حَدَّثْتُكُمْ شَيْئًا أَبَدًا {إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يَكْتُمُونَ مَا أَنْزَلْنَا مِنَ الْبَيِّنَاتِ} إِلَى قَوْلِهِ {الرَّحِيمُ}
The people say that Abu Huraira narrates too many narrations. In fact Allah knows whether I say the
truth or not. They also ask, "Why do the emigrants and the Ansar not narrate as he does?" In fact, my
emigrant brethren were busy trading in the markets, and my Ansar brethren were busy with their
properties. I was a poor man keeping the company of Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) and was satisfied with what
filled my stomach. So, I used to be present while they (i.e. the emigrants and the Ansar) were absent,
and I used to remember while they forgot (the Hadith). One day the Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Whoever spreads
his sheet till I finish this statement of mine and then gathers it on his chest, will never forget anything
of my statement." So, I spread my covering sheet which was the only garment I had, till the Prophet (ﷺ)
finished his statement and then I gathered it over my chest. By Him Who had sent him (i.e. Allah's
Apostle) with the truth, since then I did not forget even a single word of that statement of his, until this
day of mine. By Allah, but for two verses in Allah's Book, I would never have related any narration
(from the Prophet). (These two verses are): "Verily! Those who conceal the clear signs and the
guidance which we have sent down .....(up to) the Merciful.' (2.159-160)
Narrated by Narrated Abu Huraira:
Context
Abu Huraira's narration reflects on the reasons behind his extensive collection of hadiths, attributing it to his circumstances as a poor man who devoted himself to the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ). His account emphasizes the importance of preserving knowledge and the role of memory in the transmission of teachings.
Modern Application
Today, the preservation of knowledge remains vital. Individuals are encouraged to document teachings and experiences, whether through writing, recording, or sharing, ensuring that valuable lessons are passed down through generations.
Topics
This hadith is tagged with Hadith Transmission and Authenticity in Hadith because it discusses the methods of preserving and transmitting the teachings of the Prophet (ﷺ), highlighting the significance of accurate narration.
Say, "I hold not for myself [the power of] benefit or harm, except what Allah has willed. And if I knew the unseen, I could have acquired much wealth, and no harm would have touched me. I am not except a warner and a bringer of good tidings to a people who believe."
Say, "If Allah had willed, I would not have recited it to you, nor would He have made it known to you, for I had remained among you a lifetime before it. Then will you not reason?"
Say, [O Muhammad], "I do not tell you that I have the depositories [containing the provision] of Allah or that I know the unseen, nor do I tell you that I am an angel. I only follow what is revealed to me." Say, "Is the blind equivalent to the seeing? Then will you not give thought?"
It was not [proper] for the people of Madinah and those surrounding them of the bedouins that they remain behind after [the departure of] the Messenger of Allah or that they prefer themselves over his self. That is because they are not afflicted by thirst or fatigue or hunger in the cause of Allah, nor do they tread on any ground that enrages the disbelievers, nor do they inflict upon an enemy any infliction but that is registered for them as a righteous deed. Indeed, Allah does not allow to be lost the reward of the doers of good.
And [remember] when the Prophet confided to one of his wives a statement; and when she informed [another] of it and Allah showed it to him, he made known part of it and ignored a part. And when he informed her about it, she said, "Who told you this?" He said, "I was informed by the Knowing, the Acquainted."