What is Sahih al-Bukhari 6421 about?

This hadith from Sahih al-Bukhari (Book of Oaths and Vows), narrated by Narrated Abu Huraira:, states: "The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Allah forgives my followers those (evil deeds) their souls may whisper or suggest to them as long as they do not act (on it) or speak.""

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 Sahih al-Bukhari, which contains 7,277 hadiths across 97 books. It is hadith number 6421 in the Book of Oaths and Vows.

I searched for a different number — is this the right hadith?

Hadith numbering varies across editions and translations (USC-MSA, Dar as-Salam, Fath al-Bari, and others). If you followed a link citing a different number but landed here, you may have been redirected to the canonical version in our library. If you were looking for a different hadith entirely, use the search bar to find it by text.

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#6420

#6421

Sahih al-Bukhari

#6422

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Sahih al-Bukhari #6421

Oaths and Vows

Sahih

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

حَدَّثَنَا خَلاَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى، حَدَّثَنَا مِسْعَرٌ، حَدَّثَنَا قَتَادَةُ، حَدَّثَنَا زُرَارَةُ بْنُ أَوْفَى، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، يَرْفَعُهُ قَالَ ‏ "‏ إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَجَاوَزَ لأُمَّتِي عَمَّا وَسْوَسَتْ أَوْ حَدَّثَتْ بِهِ أَنْفُسَهَا، مَا لَمْ تَعْمَلْ بِهِ أَوْ تَكَلَّمْ ‏"‏‏.‏

The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Allah forgives my followers those (evil deeds) their souls may whisper or suggest to them as long as they do not act (on it) or speak."

Narrated by Narrated Abu Huraira:

Context

The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) assures his followers that Allah forgives them for the whispers and thoughts that may cross their minds, as long as they do not act on or speak them. This hadith highlights Allah's mercy and understanding of human nature, emphasizing the distinction between intention and action.

Modern Application

This hadith provides comfort to individuals struggling with negative thoughts, reminding them that they are not held accountable for unacted-upon whispers. It encourages self-compassion and the pursuit of positive actions.

Topics

This hadith is tagged with Repentance and Forgiveness because it illustrates Allah's mercy towards unintentional thoughts and the importance of focusing on righteous actions.

Repentance Forgiveness

Related Ayahs

سُورَةُ التَّوۡبَةِ

At-Tawba (The Repentance)

1 ayah

لَّقَد تَّابَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَى ٱلنَّبِىِّ وَٱلْمُهَٰجِرِينَ وَٱلْأَنصَارِ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱتَّبَعُوهُ فِى سَاعَةِ ٱلْعُسْرَةِ مِنۢ بَعْدِ مَا كَادَ يَزِيغُ قُلُوبُ فَرِيقٍۢ مِّنْهُمْ ثُمَّ تَابَ عَلَيْهِمْ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ بِهِمْ رَءُوفٌۭ رَّحِيمٌۭ

Allah has already forgiven the Prophet and the Muhajireen and the Ansar who followed him in the hour of difficulty after the hearts of a party of them had almost inclined [to doubt], and then He forgave them. Indeed, He was to them Kind and Merciful.

سُورَةُ الحُجُرَاتِ

Al-Hujuraat (The Inner Apartments)

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

1 ayah

إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ يَغُضُّونَ أَصْوَٰتَهُمْ عِندَ رَسُولِ ٱللَّهِ أُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱمْتَحَنَ ٱللَّهُ قُلُوبَهُمْ لِلتَّقْوَىٰ ۚ لَهُم مَّغْفِرَةٌۭ وَأَجْرٌ عَظِيمٌ

Indeed, those who lower their voices before the Messenger of Allah - they are the ones whose hearts Allah has tested for righteousness. For them is forgiveness and great reward.

سُورَةُ آلِ عِمۡرَانَ

Aal-i-Imraan (The Family of Imraan)

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

1 ayah

فَبِمَا رَحْمَةٍۢ مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ لِنتَ لَهُمْ ۖ وَلَوْ كُنتَ فَظًّا غَلِيظَ ٱلْقَلْبِ لَٱنفَضُّوا۟ مِنْ حَوْلِكَ ۖ فَٱعْفُ عَنْهُمْ وَٱسْتَغْفِرْ لَهُمْ وَشَاوِرْهُمْ فِى ٱلْأَمْرِ ۖ فَإِذَا عَزَمْتَ فَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُحِبُّ ٱلْمُتَوَكِّلِينَ

So by mercy from Allah, [O Muhammad], you were lenient with them. And if you had been rude [in speech] and harsh in heart, they would have disbanded from about you. So pardon them and ask forgiveness for them and consult them in the matter. And when you have decided, then rely upon Allah. Indeed, Allah loves those who rely [upon Him].

سُورَةُ الجَاثِيَةِ

Al-Jaathiya (Crouching)

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

1 ayah

قُل لِّلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ يَغْفِرُوا۟ لِلَّذِينَ لَا يَرْجُونَ أَيَّامَ ٱللَّهِ لِيَجْزِىَ قَوْمًۢا بِمَا كَانُوا۟ يَكْسِبُونَ

Say, [O Muhammad], to those who have believed that they [should] forgive those who expect not the days of Allah so that He may recompense a people for what they used to earn.

سُورَةُ الأَنبِيَاءِ

Al-Anbiyaa (The Prophets)

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

1 ayah

قَالَ رَبِّى يَعْلَمُ ٱلْقَوْلَ فِى ٱلسَّمَآءِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ ۖ وَهُوَ ٱلسَّمِيعُ ٱلْعَلِيمُ

The Prophet said, "My Lord knows whatever is said throughout the heaven and earth, and He is the Hearing, the Knowing."

Common Words

98 total80 unique9 repeated

ٱلله7x

ٱلذين3x

فى3x

من3x

لهم3x

تاب2x

على2x

إن2x

للذين2x

لقد1x

ٱلنبى1x

وٱلمهجرين1x

وٱلأنصار1x

ٱتبعوه1x

ساعة1x

ٱلعسرة1x

بعد1x

ما1x

كاد1x

يزيغ1x

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About Sahih al-Bukhari

This hadith is #6421 from Sahih al-Bukhari, in the Book of Oaths and Vows. It is graded Sahih and narrated by Narrated Abu Huraira:.

Browse all Sahih al-Bukhari All Hadith Collections

Sahih al-Bukhari #6421

Context

Modern Application

Topics

Related Ayahs

Common Words

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About Sahih al-Bukhari

About This Hadith