The Arabic includes the chain of narration (sanad) and the collector's commentary; the English translation shows the Prophet's words only.
حَدَّثَنَا صَدَقَةُ بْنُ الْفَضْلِ، أَخْبَرَنَا يَحْيَى، عَنْ سُفْيَانَ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنِي أَبِي، عَنْ مُنْذِرٍ، عَنْ رَبِيعِ بْنِ خُثَيْمٍ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ قَالَ خَطَّ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم خَطًّا مُرَبَّعًا، وَخَطَّ خَطًّا فِي الْوَسَطِ خَارِجًا مِنْهُ، وَخَطَّ خُطُطًا صِغَارًا إِلَى هَذَا الَّذِي فِي الْوَسَطِ، مِنْ جَانِبِهِ الَّذِي فِي الْوَسَطِ وَقَالَ
" هَذَا الإِنْسَانُ، وَهَذَا أَجَلُهُ مُحِيطٌ بِهِ ـ أَوْ قَدْ أَحَاطَ بِهِ ـ وَهَذَا الَّذِي هُوَ خَارِجٌ أَمَلُهُ، وَهَذِهِ الْخُطُطُ الصِّغَارُ الأَعْرَاضُ، فَإِنْ أَخْطَأَهُ هَذَا نَهَشَهُ هَذَا، وَإِنْ أَخْطَأَهُ هَذَا نَهَشَهُ هَذَا ".
The Prophet (ﷺ) drew a square and then drew a line in the middle of it and let it extend outside the square
and then drew several small lines attached to that central line, and said, "This is the human being, and
this, (the square) in his lease of life, encircles him from all sides (or has encircled him), and this (line),
which is outside (the square), is his hope, and these small lines are the calamities and troubles (which
may befall him), and if one misses him, an-other will snap (i.e. overtake) him, and if the other misses
him, a third will snap (i.e. overtake) him."
Narrated by Narrated `Abdullah:
Context
In this hadith, the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) illustrated the concept of life and death through a drawing. He depicted the human lifespan as a square, with various calamities represented by smaller lines. This metaphor serves to remind believers that life is surrounded by challenges, and while hope exists beyond, one must navigate through these trials.
Modern Application
This teaching can be applied to our daily lives by encouraging individuals to remain hopeful and resilient in the face of difficulties. Understanding that challenges are a part of life can help us cope better and seek support when needed.
Topics
This hadith is tagged with Hope and Life as Test because it conveys the idea that life is filled with trials, and maintaining hope is essential.
Whoever should think that Allah will not support [Prophet Muhammad] in this world and the Hereafter - let him extend a rope to the ceiling, then cut off [his breath], and let him see: will his effort remove that which enrages [him]?
Know that the life of this world is but amusement and diversion and adornment and boasting to one another and competition in increase of wealth and children - like the example of a rain whose [resulting] plant growth pleases the tillers; then it dries and you see it turned yellow; then it becomes [scattered] debris. And in the Hereafter is severe punishment and forgiveness from Allah and approval. And what is the worldly life except the enjoyment of delusion.
Allah extends provision for whom He wills and restricts [it]. And they rejoice in the worldly life, while the worldly life is not, compared to the Hereafter, except [brief] enjoyment.
This hadith is #6178 from Sahih al-Bukhari, in the Book of To make the Heart Tender (Ar-Riqaq). It is graded Sahih and narrated by Narrated `Abdullah:.
