The Arabic includes the chain of narration (sanad) and the collector's commentary; the English translation shows the Prophet's words only.
حَدَّثَنَا إِسْمَاعِيلُ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنِي مَالِكٌ، عَنْ إِسْحَاقَ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ أَبِي طَلْحَةَ، أَنَّ أَبَا مُرَّةَ، مَوْلَى عَقِيلِ بْنِ أَبِي طَالِبٍ أَخْبَرَهُ عَنْ أَبِي وَاقِدٍ اللَّيْثِيِّ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم بَيْنَمَا هُوَ جَالِسٌ فِي الْمَسْجِدِ وَالنَّاسُ مَعَهُ، إِذْ أَقْبَلَ ثَلاَثَةُ نَفَرٍ، فَأَقْبَلَ اثْنَانِ إِلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَذَهَبَ وَاحِدٌ، قَالَ فَوَقَفَا عَلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَأَمَّا أَحَدُهُمَا فَرَأَى فُرْجَةً فِي الْحَلْقَةِ فَجَلَسَ فِيهَا، وَأَمَّا الآخَرُ فَجَلَسَ خَلْفَهُمْ، وَأَمَّا الثَّالِثُ فَأَدْبَرَ ذَاهِبًا، فَلَمَّا فَرَغَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ
" أَلاَ أُخْبِرُكُمْ عَنِ النَّفَرِ الثَّلاَثَةِ أَمَّا أَحَدُهُمْ فَأَوَى إِلَى اللَّهِ، فَآوَاهُ اللَّهُ، وَأَمَّا الآخَرُ فَاسْتَحْيَا، فَاسْتَحْيَا اللَّهُ مِنْهُ، وَأَمَّا الآخَرُ فَأَعْرَضَ، فَأَعْرَضَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ ".
While Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) was sitting in the mosque with some people, three men came. Two of them
came in front of Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) and the third one went away. The two persons kept on standing
before Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) for a while and then one of them found a place in the circle and sat there while
the other sat behind the gathering, and the third one went away. When Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) finished his
preaching, he said, "Shall I tell you about these three persons? One of them betook himself to Allah,
so Allah took him into His grace and mercy and accommodated him, the second felt shy from Allah,
so Allah sheltered Him in His mercy (and did not punish him), while the third turned his face from
Allah and went away, so Allah turned His face from him likewise. "
Narrated by Narrated Abu Waqid Al-Laithi:
Context
In this hadith, the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) observes three men approaching him while he is seated in the mosque. Two of the men engage with him, while the third turns away. After addressing the gathering, the Prophet (ﷺ) reflects on the actions of these men, highlighting the importance of seeking knowledge and the varying responses people have towards it. This illustrates the significance of intention and effort in one's spiritual journey.
Modern Application
In today's world, this hadith encourages individuals to actively seek knowledge and engage with their community. It reminds us that those who make an effort to learn and grow spiritually will find support and acceptance, while those who turn away may miss out on valuable opportunities.
Topics
This hadith is tagged with Community and Prophetic Teachings because it emphasizes the importance of engaging with others in a communal setting and reflects the Prophet's (ﷺ) teachings on seeking knowledge.
And [He also forgave] the three who were left behind [and regretted their error] to the point that the earth closed in on them in spite of its vastness and their souls confined them and they were certain that there is no refuge from Allah except in Him. Then He turned to them so they could repent. Indeed, Allah is the Accepting of repentance, the Merciful.
And when it is said to them, "Come, the Messenger of Allah will ask forgiveness for you," they turn their heads aside and you see them evading while they are arrogant.
There is not upon the blind any guilt or upon the lame any guilt or upon the ill any guilt [for remaining behind]. And whoever obeys Allah and His Messenger - He will admit him to gardens beneath which rivers flow; but whoever turns away - He will punish him with a painful punishment.