The Arabic includes the chain of narration (sanad) and the collector's commentary; the English translation shows the Prophet's words only.
حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو الْوَلِيدِ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو عَوَانَةَ، عَنْ قَتَادَةَ، عَنْ عُقْبَةَ بْنِ عَبْدِ الْغَافِرِ، عَنْ أَبِي سَعِيدٍ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم
" أَنَّ رَجُلاً كَانَ قَبْلَكُمْ رَغَسَهُ اللَّهُ مَالاً فَقَالَ لِبَنِيهِ لَمَّا حُضِرَ أَىَّ أَبٍ كُنْتُ لَكُمْ قَالُوا خَيْرَ أَبٍ. قَالَ فَإِنِّي لَمْ أَعْمَلْ خَيْرًا قَطُّ، فَإِذَا مُتُّ فَأَحْرِقُونِي ثُمَّ اسْحَقُونِي ثُمَّ ذَرُّونِي فِي يَوْمٍ عَاصِفٍ. فَفَعَلُوا، فَجَمَعَهُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ، فَقَالَ مَا حَمَلَكَ قَالَ مَخَافَتُكَ. فَتَلَقَّاهُ بِرَحْمَتِهِ ". وَقَالَ مُعَاذٌ حَدَّثَنَا شُعْبَةُ، عَنْ قَتَادَةَ، سَمِعْتُ عُقْبَةَ بْنَ عَبْدِ الْغَافِرِ، سَمِعْتُ أَبَا سَعِيدٍ الْخُدْرِيَّ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم.
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Amongst the people preceding your age, there was a man whom Allah had given a
lot of money. While he was in his death-bed, he called his sons and said, 'What type of father have I
been to you? They replied, 'You have been a good father.' He said, 'I have never done a single good
deed; so when I die, burn me, crush my body, and scatter the resulting ashes on a windy day.' His sons
did accordingly, but Allah gathered his particles and asked (him), 'What made you do so?' He replied,
"Fear of you.' So Allah bestowed His Mercy upon him. (forgave him).
Narrated by Narrated Abu Sa`id:
Context
A man from a previous nation, who had been blessed with wealth, expressed regret for not performing good deeds before his death. He instructed his sons to burn his body and scatter his ashes, fearing divine punishment. However, upon gathering his remains, Allah questioned him about his actions, leading to his forgiveness due to his fear of Allah.
Modern Application
This hadith serves as a reminder of the importance of repentance and the mercy of Allah. In today's world, individuals can reflect on their actions and seek forgiveness for their shortcomings, understanding that sincere remorse can lead to divine mercy.
Topics
This hadith is tagged with Repentance and Divine Mercy because it illustrates the transformative power of sincere fear of Allah and the possibility of forgiveness, regardless of past actions.
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.
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" -
And when you have completed your rites, remember Allah like your [previous] remembrance of your fathers or with [much] greater remembrance. And among the people is he who says, "Our Lord, give us in this world," and he will have in the Hereafter no share.
