Once `Umar bin Al-Khattab said, said, "Who amongst you remembers the statement of Allah's
Apostle regarding the afflictions?" Hudhaifa replied, "I remember what he said exactly." `Umar said.
"Tell (us), you are really a daring man!'' Hudhaifa said, "Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, 'A man's afflictions (i.e.
wrong deeds) concerning his relation to his family, his property and his neighbors are expiated by his
prayers, giving in charity and enjoining what is good and forbidding what is evil.' " `Umar said, "I
don't mean these afflictions but the afflictions that will be heaving up and down like waves of the
sea." Hudhaifa replied, "O chief of the believers! You need not fear those (afflictions) as there is a
closed door between you and them." `Umar asked, "Will that door be opened or broken?" Hudhaifa
replied, "No, it will be broken." `Umar said, "Then it is very likely that the door will not be closed
again." Later on the people asked Hudhaifa, "Did `Umar know what that door meant?" He said. "Yes,
`Umar knew it as everyone knows that there will be night before the tomorrow morning. I narrated to
`Umar an authentic narration, not lies." We dared not ask Hudhaifa; therefore we requested Masruq
who asked him, "What does the door stand for?" He said, "`Umar."
Narrated by Narrated Hudhaifa:
Context
In this hadith, `Umar bin Al-Khattab inquires about the Prophet's (ﷺ) teachings on afflictions. Hudhaifa recalls that the Prophet (ﷺ) stated that a man's wrongdoings concerning his family, wealth, and neighbors can be expiated through prayer, charity, and promoting good while forbidding evil. However, `Umar is concerned about greater tribulations that would arise, likening them to waves of the sea. Hudhaifa reassures him that there is a barrier protecting him from such trials.
Modern Application
This hadith emphasizes the importance of personal accountability and the means of seeking forgiveness through good deeds. In today's context, individuals can reflect on their actions towards family and community, ensuring they engage in positive behaviors like charity and promoting good, which can help mitigate personal struggles and enhance community well-being.
Topics
This hadith is tagged with Prophetic Warning because it highlights the dangers of future tribulations and the importance of maintaining righteous conduct.
So you see those in whose hearts is disease hastening into [association with] them, saying, "We are afraid a misfortune may strike us." But perhaps Allah will bring conquest or a decision from Him, and they will become, over what they have been concealing within themselves, regretful.
Said two men from those who feared [to disobey] upon whom Allah had bestowed favor, "Enter upon them through the gate, for when you have entered it, you will be predominant. And upon Allah rely, if you should be believers."
Then after distress, He sent down upon you security [in the form of] drowsiness, overcoming a faction of you, while another faction worried about themselves, thinking of Allah other than the truth - the thought of ignorance, saying, "Is there anything for us [to have done] in this matter?" Say, "Indeed, the matter belongs completely to Allah." They conceal within themselves what they will not reveal to you. They say, "If there was anything we could have done in the matter, some of us would not have been killed right here." Say, "Even if you had been inside your houses, those decreed to be killed would have come out to their death beds." [It was] so that Allah might test what is in your breasts and purify what is in your hearts. And Allah is Knowing of that within the breasts.
Or do you think that you will enter Paradise while such [trial] has not yet come to you as came to those who passed on before you? They were touched by poverty and hardship and were shaken until [even their] messenger and those who believed with him said, "When is the help of Allah?" Unquestionably, the help of Allah is near.
This hadith is #3436 from Sahih al-Bukhari, in the Book of Virtues and Merits of the Prophet (pbuh) and his Companions. It is graded Sahih and narrated by Narrated Hudhaifa:.